The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 49 No.4 | March 2023

Local Group Programmes

Other external factors intervened. There are few records, between 1642-60, during the so called ‘Commonwealth Gap’, when we had no monarch. Lined Register books gradually came into use and eventually numbering. In 1752 we changed to the Gregorian calendar so the year formally started on 1st January instead of 25th March. In 1753, Lord Hardwicke’s Act required marriages, with witnesses, to be recorded together with the Banns in a different Register book from baptism and burials. In 1813, Rose’s Act meant that separate printed registers were required for baptisms and burials. These are often a rich source for additional information, occasionally added in the margins - not available in simple transcripts. In 1837, civil registration was introduced to record births, marriages and deaths. The marriage registers for the church and GRO are very similar in layout. Recent changes include the 2007 ‘qualifying connection’, expanding the rules on where couples can marry; and in 2021 marriage certificates allow for the biological father and mother’s details to be provided. Currently, there is debate about making all C of E burial registers and churchyard details available through the National Burial Grounds Survey but it is quite contentious. Richard Backhouse Forthcoming Meetings:

Members’ Evening: Bring an interesting item

March 9th April 13th May 11th June 8th July 13th

The Hatcher Brother

Richard Backhouse

Members’ Evening: Brick walls

Have you a 19th century Army Ancestor?

Maggie Eltham

History of the Weyhill Fairground

Tony Raper

Basingstoke Meetings normally commence at 7. 30 p.m. and are held on the fourth Wednesday every month (except August and December) at St Michael’s Church Cottage Hall, Church Street. Contact: Email:

basingstoke@hgs-online.org.uk

No reports received Forthcoming Meetings:

Members’ Evening: Parish Chest – hands-on with a range of examples

March 22th April 26th May 24th June 28th July 26th

Women, The Home & Spanish Flu in the Great War

Ian Porter

Members’ Evening: Researching Occupations, resources used, etc.

From Grub Street to Fleet Street

Bob Clarke

Members’ Evening: Hands-on with Leases – how to read, interpret and understand

Led by Jane Hussey

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