A Blaylock Family History - Important Dates

IMPORTANT DATES IN ENGLISH FAMILY HISTORY

1732 Parish registers were ordered to be written in English. Some earlier registers may be written in Latin.                              
1751-1752 Change from Julian Calendar to Gregorian Calendar (Lord Chesterfield's Act). Julian Calendar ran from 25th March (Ladyday) to following 24th March. Gregorian Calendar runs from 1st January to 31st December. The Gregorian Calendar commenced on 1st January 1752 but excluded 11 days from and including 3rd September to 13th September of that year.
1754 Hardwick Marriage Act implemented. Marriages had to be henceforth recorded in a separate register to Baptisms and Burials. The register had to show the place of residence of both parties and had to be signed by the groom, bride and two witnesses. It was necessary to record if the marriage was by licence or following the publication of banns. Marriages had to be performed in the parish church except for Quakers and Jews. Note the Catholic Church were not allowed to carry out marriage ceremonies but many defied the act..
1783 Stamp Act. A duty of 3d was imposed on all entries made in the parish register. A most unpopular tax repealed in 1794.
1786 The mother's maiden name was entered in the baptismal records from June 1786.
1812-1813 The Rose or Parochial Registers Act. Parish register entries were laid out in a formal fashion and each group of entries had its own register.
1836 The Dissenters Marriage Act. The act enabled nonconformist churches to be licensed for marriages but the district registrar had to attend the ceremonies to register the details.
1837 Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths commenced in England and Wales on 1st July 1837.
1898 Marriage Act of 1898 allowed nonconformist churches to request that the Registrar General appoint an authorised person from their congregation to act as a registrar of marriages. 

 


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Page last updated 

03 March 2002