The last authoritative guide to parish records appeared over 30 years ago, so this handy volume serves as a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the wealth of material found in the records of English parish churches. As such its scope is broad, covering all aspects of personal and administrative matters from medieval times to the present. An introductory chapter outlines the variety of concerns and their influence which fell within the remit of the parish and shows how historians have used them. This is followed by an informative discussion on the government of the English parish. Fascinating snippets of information are revealed, demonstrating how many aspects of life were controlled by the parish: for instance, some parishes employed dog whippers to silence barking during services. Highways fell within the responsibility of the parish, and to this end, surveyors were assisted by parishioners who were often obliged to assist them in their duties.
Subsequent chapters examine specific types of record including the birth, marriage and death registers. Poor law and charities also fell within the parishes' administration and chapters on these give a detailed exposition of the responsibility of parishes to the destitute. Throughout the text is enlivened by examples and illustrations.
Other chapters look at church administration covering such aspects as maintenance and refurbishment. One of the most informative and useful chapters traces the responsibilities of the parish chronologically through vestry minutes and officers' accounts. This is comprehensive and well-illustrated with examples from throughout England. From eradicating vermin to determining the order of worship, all were important aspects of parish administration. Another chapter considers records relating to the church and is well-supported by lists of further reading. Tithe records and those relating to enclosures, the poor law and parish charities are covered, and a final chapter entitled miscellaneous records lists presentments and local census records alongside certificates of those receiving King's Evil.
Those hoping for detailed information on using birth, marriage and death records will find that this book treats these records as a part of larger whole, so treatment is necessarily cursory with plenty of references to more detailed books on these records.
The work is well-indexed with separate indexes for subject, person and place making navigation easy. Substantial notes for further reading are helpful and the work is well-referenced.
Stuart Raymond is an established authority on local and family history. He writes in an easy and accessible style and his inclusion of amusing anecdotes makes the work a delight to read. It is a comprehensive and concise guide to an important aspect of British local and personal history. This book will be welcomed by local and family historians and it certainly should find a place on the shelves of all local studies collections.
