Parish Records and Family History Research

Today, we think of the 'the vestry' as a little room in a church where the minister dons his clerical robes but, in this context, it has a different meaning. The Vestry was the term applied to a group of people comprised of the minister, churchwardens and officials of the parish (eg Overseers of the Poor and the constable). It was responsible for managing the finances of the parish and had the authority to levy rates or taxes. The minutes may also contain references to happenings of local importance and include the names of those involved. Most of the offices of The Vestry were of an unpaid nature except for that of the minister. Being only entitled to expenses, they could be unwelcome parish appointments.

The documents relating to the Churchwardens' activities and accounts give insights into what church maintenance was carried out, local suppliers, tradesmen or artisans who might have been employed, costs and any other financial dealings.

Overseers of the Poor came into being in the act of 1572. Before that the welfare of the poor and disabled of a parish had been largely looked after by the monasteries but, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry Vlll, there was a vacuum and no-one with the responsibility to fill it. The position of Overseer remained until the Poor Law of 1834 was passed and their responsiblilites were transferred to the new Poor Law Guradians. The Overseers were responsible for the levying, collection and distribution of funds to alleviate severe financial suffering in the parish. A requirement was that they keep detailed accounts and these include the names of those deemed prosperous enough to contribute and also the amount demanded of them. Reasons for distribution of aid were also noted and could include sickness or a death. There was also a keen enthusiasm to make sure that their own parishioners were not supporting people originating in another parish. Various acts, passed between 1531 and 1834 came into being determining what constituted the status of 'parishioner' and what steps could be taken to return needy 'strangers' to their parish of origin. There were complicated requirements and procedures which resulted in either Settlement Certificates being issued or Removal Orders for the removal of a person back to the parish deemed their own. Those to be returned would be escorted to parish boundaries, handed on to an Overseer of the next parish and so on until they were back in their own parish where they could legitimately request aid. Another responibility was that of finding apprenticeships for orphan children,

Tithes were a tax levied on parishioners for one tenth of their income. This tax went into the coffers of a religious house (before the Dissolution of the Monasteries), land owners, private individuals or the parish church. Originally the tithes were paid in produce but gradually became cash payments until, in 1836, it became law by the Tithe Commutation Act. This act required detailed tithe maps and schedules as payments were assessed. Many still exist and can show properties that were held by our ancestors. Another source of income for the minister, in many parishes, was that of Pew Rents. These pews provided a more private, enclosed and comfortable space for the more prosperous of the parishioners. Again, this list can provide an insight into the financial status of our ancestors.

The Parish Constable was responsible for the maintenance of law and order and his accounts detail his expenses incurred. Similarly the Highway Surveyors accounts indicate costs of maintenance together with the names of workmen and suppliers.

On a final note, it's not always easy to locate the Parish Records, or access them, but the return is frequently worth the effort. Your search could start at the Local or County Record Office where you will find information on where and how to continue your search.