Woodchurch Marriages 1538-1978

Further Information

This database contains the complete 2312 marriages at Woodchurch from 1538 to 1978 transcribed from the films of the parish registers at Canterbury Cathedral Archives and the originals at the Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone by Bob Chown and Josie Mackie. There was a gap in the originals from 1576-1584 and the English Civil War 1642-1651 and Commonwealth 1652-1660 periods were patchy. The two transcribers are endeavouring to fill the 16th Century gap from Bishop’s Transcripts but these too have gaps. These are not included for the time being.

The database is not an absolutely true copy of the originals due to the limited functionality of the database software used. Much of the early writing was in Secretary script, abbreviated, contracted and suspended. There was widespread use of superscript letters. Each page has been numbered and each marriage on each page also numbered. In interpreting the entries, Bob and Josie have aimed their efforts at genealogists rather than palaeographers.

The early records, 1538-1598, were transcribed themselves into the register in about 1598 from pieces of paper or parchment kept in the parish chest. This change resulted from an Order in Council from Queen Elizabeth I. The original records have not survived. The Curate of All Saints in 1598, Meredith Madey, may not have known those married in the early years and it appears he found the handwriting, at times, as difficult to read as Bob and Josie did. He was paid £2 for doing this. While the majority of forenames were recognizable, many of the surnames were not. After this period the quality improved.

The extent of the information provided for each marriage before 1837 varied enormously. Sometimes the barest details, sometimes large amounts filling a paragraph. It appeared to depend on the whim of the curate or scribe at the time. An unusual addition occurred in the 1960’s when the Rector, Elmer Everett Price, included the names of Godparents.

Bob is also transcribing and checking the Marriage Licence records for the Diocese of Canterbury 1568-1837 (CCA) and the Woodchurch Banns 1754-1837 (CKS). These transcriptions will provide useful additional information for genealogists that may not be included in the Parish Registers; information such as the abode of the parties at the time, marital status, occupation of the groom, age of both parties, signature of the groom and very occasionally the bride, names and abode of parents, whether parents are alive or dead and the name, occupation, signature and abode of bondsmen. As always, the amount of additional information is variable. The use of square brackets [ ] shows where the transcribers have found something additional that will be useful to members tracing their ancestors. These projects are incomplete but Bob and Josie thought that members would appreciate the release of the database in its present form.

9 December 2007