Parish records are at the heart of English family history, but unlocking their full potential takes knowledge, context and practice. This four-week course will guide you through the fascinating world of the parish, its people, and the documents it produced.

Across the sessions we’ll explore:

• The laws and circumstances that shaped parish registers
• The origins and survival of parish records, from the parish chest to the present day
• How to find and use parish material effectively, including tackling gaps in coverage
• The impact of AI and digitisation on access to these crucial sources
• The varied roles of parish officers—from vestry clerks to overseers of the poor—and how their responsibilities left a paper trail for us to follow
• The parish’s role in administering poor laws and supporting communities

Through examples, case studies and hands-on strategies, we’ll also cover family tree reconstruction and the FAN (Friends, Associates and Neighbours) method, helping you see how parish records can reveal not just your ancestors, but the wider networks that shaped their lives. No matter how long you have been using parish registers for genealogy this course will deepen your understanding of the parish as the cornerstone of local life and genealogical discovery. 

Each class will be recorded and those who have booked the course will be able to catch up on recordings until 28 December 2025.

Click here for information about our events.  Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.