Parish Registers

Source Data

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Register App

The Abinger Parish registers are retained in a purpose-built database written by Philip Rawlings.

Sources include:

Reports

Some reports from the database are shown below, other sorts and selections are available.

Statistics from the Registers

Notes to the Registers

  • 1599-1812 – Originals lost but transcribed into a bound volume “This volume has been printed by a few friends in grateful memory of John Harcourt Chichester Evelyn (1876-1922), of Wotton House, Patron of these three livings, who lost his life in the service of his country; and also of Mrs. H. E. Malden (1852-1919), who transcribed the Register.”
  • Some inscriptions were transcribed by John A Gibbs in “Inscriptions and Graves in Abinger Church and Churchyard with Index” presented to St James’ in 1934. Also from “Epitaphs of Surrey”, A B Bax, ms. in Surrey Archeological Society Library (1890); these data are included in the current database.
  • The Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1836, which went into effect on July 1, 1837, established a system of civil registration in England and Wales. Prior to that date registers were kept only by churches. The term “by certificate” in the context of an 1830 burial likely refers to a certificate issued by the church or religious body responsible for the burial, rather than a formal government-issued document. 
  • ‘Affidavit’: in The Burial in Woolen Acts of 1660-1689 “No corps should be buried in anything other than what is made of sheep’s wool only; or put into any coffin lined or faced with any material but sheep’s wool, on pain of forfeiture of £5.” Excepting plague victims and the destitute. In addition, an affidavit to that effect was required not later than 8 days after the burial. The act was repealed in 1814 but ignored after 1770. ‘Certificate’: a certificate brought (presented) affirming burial in ‘woolen’.
  • The Stamp Duties Act of 1783 required payment of 3d to register a baptism, marriage or burial. Repealed in 1794.
  • Assumed, except otherwise stated, that a woman takes the surname of the husband (often burial register has only, for example, Joan the wife of John Smith).
  • Assumed, except otherwise stated, that a child takes the surname of the father (often burial register has only, for example, Jane the daughter of John Smith).
  • Spellings of names and places are idiosyncratic in the registers. As far as practicable, original spellings have been retained.
  • Names are often prefixed with Goodman or Goodwife (abbr. Goody) in the earlier registers. Archaic form, known from 13th to mid-18th century. Signifies lower social standing than those addressed as Mr, Mrs, Mistress.
  • See the History of Parish Registers in England for the register requirements from 1538 (King Henry XIII). Our registers began in 1559 following a law enacted by Queen Elizabeth I.
  • Burials sometimes give Dorking Workhouse or Dorking Union as ‘Abode’. Properly, Dorking Union Workhouse. Also see notes by Keziah Rodell at Dorking Museum.
The entire dataset can be downloaded here

Parish Records Held At The Surrey History Centre

Records of baptism, marriage and burial are held at the Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking GU21 6ND as below:

Baptisms1559-1898
1813-1840
1559-1812
Originals
Printed
Transcript
Marriages1559-1959
1813-1849
1559-1812
Originals, Microfiche
Printed
Transcript
Burials1813-1840
1840-1877
1559-1812
Transcript
Original, scan
Printed

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