AT the recent meeting of the Bury branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society members heard a talk entitled Parish Records at Manchester Central Library given by the principle archivist, Kevin Bolton.
We learned that the Manchester archives also houses local studies and that the Diocese of Greater Manchester includes modern Lancashire areas including Oldham and Prestwich and parts of Cheshire.
A 2007 Guide to the Parish registers – the pink book is available at the library and is also on the website manchester.gov.uk/libraries/arts The library also holds microfilm of the IGI (International Genealogical Index), workhouses, schools and methodist records.
Parish registers were started in 1500 by Thomas Cromwell and in 1754 Hardwick’s Marriage Act gave more details with occupations included. 1813 saw the start of the modern layout and information on the certificates.
The cathedral was the most important church. There are Sexton recorded and Banns registers on microfilm. Information on Prestwich St Mary covers 1590-20th century. Manchester also holds non-conformist and Jewish records from the Manchester area.
When the Central Library closes for refurbishment, the archive service will be located to other parts of the city.
There is a family history helpdesk every Thursday from 11am to 3pm, run by local groups.
Next meeting is the Christmas party which will take place at the Blackburne Hall, The Wylde, Bury on Wednesday, December 10, at 7.30pm.
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