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Parish registers
The recording of baptisms, marriages and burials
within individual parishes was begun in 1538 on the injunction
of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's Vicar General, though the vast
majority of the earliest registers have not survived. Halifax
is extremely fortunate, therefore, that its original registers
have survived from that year. The Elland and Heptonstall registers
(which together cover most of the remaining areas of Calderdale)
commence in 1559 and 1599 respectively. Registers for chapelries
within these three parochial districts commence at later dates.
Use
Parish registers are used extensively by family
historians tracing their ancestors back through time from 1837
when civil registration was introduced. Apart from their obvious
importance for genealogical research, registers are also invaluable
sources for the study of subjects of broader interest, such as
disease and mortality, population movement, illegitimacy, the
occupational structure of early modern communities etc. - fields
of research which are grouped together under the general heading
of historical demography or population history.
Availability
Microfilm copies of almost all of the local
registers may be consulted at Calderdale Central Library, Halifax,
West Yorkshire and published transcripts for selected (mainly
earlier) periods are also available.
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