Baptist Records

The History

Baptists were amongst the first non conformist religions to develop with the first Baptist meeting taking place in 1612 although they did not become a major force until the 1700's.

In 1832 the Baptist Union was formed uniting the individual Baptist churches.

Although members of the Union each Church retained autonomy as to they way that it ran it's affairs including choice of Minister.

In 1891 a split between the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists was mended.

Baptists maintained their own Birth, Marriage and Death records until official records started in 1837.

From 1837 some churches maintained records but others left the recording to the state and concentrated on the religious impact of the services.

Each Church maintained their own records with no central control which means that the information available varies from very basic details to full accounts.

What records can you find?

The first step is to trace the Baptist Church for the area which interests you and contact the Minister who will be aware of the availability of local records.

Most records will have been transferred to County Records Offices.

The Baptist Union have a website but this is no genealogy information on the site.

The Baptist Historical Society are able to offer advice and guidance on further research into Baptists history and offer a free search of a listing of all Baptist Ministers.

The Angus Library at Regents Park College, Oxford holds a large collection of Baptist material which includes things of interest to family historians although it is not directly family history related.