Genealogy Chat

I have had varying success with Catholic records over the years.I was desparate to get hold of records for a particular church but the priest refused,telling me it was very wrong to want to know this information-baptisms,marriages and deaths.I phoned,wrote nice letters,offered to pay etc for 15 years without any luck.I dion't think I was a pest as I only contacted him once a year.When he retired the new priest put them in the local record office,it was so good to see them!Another priest was extremely helpful and even translated them from the Latin for me,I had no idea they would be in Latin.A distant cousin went to this same church a couple of decades later and was shocked to find they charged £3 to look up each name,the secretary did it and she never even got to look at the records. I have loads more Catholic records to look at,it's very difficult.

Hi, The Roman Catholic churches have a diminishing number of priests who are now in the main very close to retirement age. Many have large parishes as well as supporting several smaller churches in the area who no longer have their own priest. They also have responsibilities to the local RC schools as well as any of their congregation who may be in hospital or care homes. Then you have your christenings, church services, funerals, marriages etc. I think what I am trying to say is that the clergy are under considerable pressure at the best of times. However, I have spoken to several priests who tell me that it is not that they are unwilling to help, but that it is not unusual for people to telephone or turn up at the front door with an expectation that they immediately drop everything to deal with their request. A piece of advice I was given which I feel is not unreasonable. Send a letter outlining what information you are seeking and enclose a stamp addressed envelope. Bye Paul

Hi Gwen You are unlikely to find many RC marriages pre 1837 as RC priests were unable to perform legal marriages for centuries. The Act of Religious Tolerance in early 1820s (I think) changed this and RC priests could thenceforth perform marriages. So, what usually happened, the couple were married in the C of E and the same day, or very soon after, had a Nuptial Mass in their RC Church - this may or may not be recorded. But as everyone else has said, these records are not generally open to the Public - you need to apply in writing to the Catholic Diocese of the area. OC

It's a pain - half of main are catholics and I can't find a thing. I am working up to a visit to the catholic church in Marylebone where one of mine married to see the records. They were far from helpful when I called in person to see how to arrange it. The parish vicar in Bradford on Avon, by contrast, was very helpful. I didn't have time to look through the records as I was just visitin gthe area with my partner but the vicar explained loads about the local history and even did a quick check on the tombstone inscriptions without being asked. I suspect there may be lots of records in the church in my old home town - I shall get my mother, who is still a catholic, to approach them.

Thanks for all you replies Gwen

Hi, Some records are available from the local 'History Society' who are in the area of interest. I have purchased a CD of RC parish records as stated above. Bye Paul

The records for Roman Catholics are at the church concerned or earlier ones are at the relevant local diocese offices.

Gwen !! yes thats your best bet,they can tell you if they have the record or where its held

I have not found any on the IGI site for the particular people. So I have to apply to the church where they were married? Gwen

yes they will have records But you wont find these on Family search site cos they dont approve of the Mormons who will Baptise people after they have desceaed as Mormons.!! Your best bet .if you can find the parish ,is to ask the church where their old records are stored

Hi! You may probably find them under 'Non Conformist' records, but there are alot on IGI anyway. Hazel

Hi I have found my first Roman Catholic rellies but pre 1837 do they have equivalent to our parish records and if so where do you go to find your information. Forgive me if you think this is a stupid question but as previously explained not had any RC rellies before. Thanks Gwen