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

Local Group Programmes

lost, as is about 5% of the 1861, so it pays to know the geographical location of these black holes. We had a good question and answer session to wind up proceedings. Forthcoming Meetings:

Members’ Meeting Methods of researching and how to record and store the research. Internet or records offices? The Titanic: what happened after the ship san k Ian Porter Members’ Meeting – Q&A help session: Can we help? (note this is a TUESDAY)

March 6th

April 3th May 2nd

The Timsbury Triangle

June 5th

Richard Backhouse

Members’ Meeting – [Main Hall, not Annexe]–The pros & cons of online subscription websites and the merits/demerits of using online trees.

July 3rd

Contact: Tony Sinclair Tel: 07518 183211 winchester@hgs-online.org.uk

Winchester

Meetings are normally at 7:15pm on 3rd Thursdays in the Littleton Millennium Hall.

(November) Colin Moretti gave a very comprehensive talk about Parish Registers. Starting with Henry VIII in 1538, largely with genealogy in mind for keeping track of lines of succession. He pointed out the difference between ecclesiastical and administrative parishes. The requirements of a parish chest, which was a strong coffer with three locks, one key to be held by the vicar and two with the church wardens - all three needed to open the chest! The use of Latin was forbidden in 1735. He also alerted us to potential pitfalls especially with regards to Bishop’s Transcripts although those are worth looking at, just in case they contain information not in the Parish Register, but were often more accurate than Archdeacons transcripts. Bodies were buried in woollen cloth to boost the dwindling wool trade. In 1752, a new style calendar was introduced and in 1753 Hardwick’s Marriage Act was published which set the standard record for marriages with banns called and a marriage register. Rose’s Act required separate printed registers and standardised more detailed information. Baptisms required names of the child, the parent’s abode and fathers occupation along with the date of the baptism. He also recommended the Gibson Guides for Genealogists. This was a fascinating talk by a very good speaker.

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