Local studies and family history resources
Parish registers
Parish registers are an invaluable resource to any genealogist, particularly when researching family members who were born, married or deceased prior to 1837, when the Index of births, deaths and marriages began.
These registers cover Calderdale and other parts of West and South Yorkshire and can be accessed in a variety of formats, including:
- Microfilm: a comprehensive collection is held by West Yorkshire Archive Service, Calderdale
- Online: limited collection but more being added to the Ancestry website.
In addition, the Reference Library, Halifax holds transcripts for many local parishes.
| Parish | Records transcribed |
|---|---|
| Coley / Northowram | Baptisms 1644 - 1788 Marriages 1646 - 1796 Burials 1655 - 1824 |
| Elland St Mary's | Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1559 - 1714 |
| Halifax Parish Church (St John's) | Baptisms 1538 - 1593, 1813 -1838 Marriages 1538 - 1593, 1754 - 1837 Burials 1538 - 1593, 1813 - 1937 |
| Hartshead St Peter's | Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1612 - 1812 |
| Heptonstall St Thomas' | Baptisms and Marriages 1599 - 1660 Burials 1593 - 1653 |
| Heptonstall and Cross Stone chapels | Baptisms (Heptonstall) 1594 - 1812, Baptisms (Cross Stone) 1678 - 1837 Marriages 1594 - 1837 Burials (Heptonstall) 1594 - 1812, Burials (Cross Stone) 1678 - 1851 |
| Northowram Heywood Chapel - see Coley / Northowram St John's | - |
| Northowram, Roundhill Methodist Chapel | Baptisms 1890 - 1948 |
| Queensbury, Ambler Thorn Methodist Chapel | Baptisms 1935 - 1972 |
| Queensbury, Mountain Wesleyan Reform Chapel | Baptisms 1867 - 1973 |
| Queensbury, Queens Head Baptist Church | Births 1748 - 1837 |
| Queensbury Baptist Chapel | Burials 1788 - 1794, 1831 - 1879 |
| Queensbury Parish Church | Baptisms 1845 - 1907 Marriages 1846 - 1908 |
| Queensbury, Union Croft Congregational Church | Baptisms 1896 - 1988 Marriages 1900 - 1986 |
| Ripponden St Bartholomew's | Baptisms 1684 - 1788, 1750 - 1754 Marriages 1686 - 1702, 1750 - 1788 Burials 1684 - 1702 |
| Sowerby, Steep Lane Baptist Chapel | Baptisms 1779 - 1844 |
| Todmorden St Mary's / Christ Church | Baptisms 1670 - 1780 Marriages 1669 - 1780 Burials 1666 - 1780 |
- The transcribed registers can be viewed in theReference and information Library at all opening times.
- The Ancestry website can be viewed free of charge at any Calderdale Library.
- Parish Registers on microfilm can be viewed at the West Yorkshire Archive Service|
.
This service is adjacent to the Central Reference Library, Halifax and open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. The films can also be viewed via the Reference Library in the evenings and on Mondays and Saturdays.
