Background

Every transcription is identified by a code to indicate the origin and hence give some idea of the likely accuracy. It is very possible that a search result will appear more than once if it has been transcribed from different sources. If they are different, we leave it up to the researcher to decide which is correct.

Some transcriptions contain just the basic reference information, some hold a great deal of detail, including the transcriber's comments and interpretations. So it is worth looking at all entries if more than one comes up in a search.

Transcription sources

Parish Register (PR)

Transcription has been made directly from images of the original Parish Register.

Other Register (OR)

Transcription has been made from other original documents that we have received, such as Nonconformist registers, Quaker Meetings books, Roman Catholic records, G.R.O. Original handwritten Records, Public Cemetery records, and in due course Registry Office entries.

We also include Birth and Death records, especially if these are before 1837 as this may be the only available record. The FreeBMD website only includes the G.R.O. Indexes from 1837 and does not contain the level of detail that we hold.

Archdeacon’s Transcript (AT)

Transcription has been made from the Archdeacon’s records, which are extracts and transcriptions from the Parish Registers. These are not necessarily a full set of records.

Bishop’s Transcript (BT)

Transcription has been made from copies of the parish register that were sent in to the Bishop. Because they are contemporary copies, they are the next-best source when the original registers have not survived.

Phillimore’s Transcript (PH)

Transcription has been made from from the books printed in the 1900s. But there are printing errors and they are not the full contents of the Parish Registers.

Dwelly’s Transcripts (DW)

Transcription has been made from these printed books. But there are printing errors and they are not the full contents of the Parish Registers.

Other Transcript (TR)

Transcription has been made from someone else’s transcription of the original document. These can be of variable quality and reliability, and are less preferable to using the original documents.

Extract of a Register (EX)

Transcription has been made from work usually done by someone researching their family. They are usually just selected names, but they may be useful for cross checking.

Memorial Inscription (MI)

Transcription has been made from grave headstones or memorial plaques inside a church. Where Parish Registers are missing, these can be the only record. They are useful for cross checking and for finding links to family members.

Unknown Source (UK)

Transcription has been made from work where we do not know the source. Avoid using this, and make every effort to ascertain the type of document that was transcribed.