Congregational Ancestors

The History

The Congregational Church was formed in the early 1600's as part of the nonconformist movement in the United Kingdom

Early members were often persecuted until 1689 when the Act of Indulgence allowed religions other than the Church of England to be practiced.

Congregational Churches spread throughout the country becoming a considerable religious force.

Like most of the Non Conformist churches the style of churches and service was more simple and less flamboyant than that practiced in the traditional Anglican or Roman Catholic Churches.

In 1972 about 3/4 of the  Congregational Churches came together with Presbyterian Churches to form the United Reform Church although a few of the smaller  churches   remained independent and others grouped together to form  the Congregational Federation and the  Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches.

What records can you find?

Most Birth, Marriage and Death records before 1753 will relate to the Congregations Church.

From 1753 to 1837 Birth and Death records will still relate to the Congregational Church although due to the Marriage Act of 1753 all banns had to be read and marriages recorded in the Church of England Registers.

Individual chapels belonged to a group of Churches - Some records or copies of records may still be held by an individual Church

Some births, deaths and marriages were recorded in the local Anglican Church especially amongst wealthy Congregationalists as this often made business transactions, wills etc easier.

Records can be patchy as they were often retained by individual Ministers rather than the Churches and were sometimes destroyed on the death of the Minister.

Birth Marriage and Deaths before 1837 will be held in National Archives or County Records Offices

Birth Marriage and Deaths after 1837 will be held in  County Records Offices

Census Returns

Local Newspapers

Membership lists

Ministers lists

Minutes of various local meetings

The United Reform Church of Great Britian is the first place to stop as it has the largest propertion of old congregational churches amongst its community. It doesn't contain many records of interest to the family historian but there are sections of use.

The Congregational Federation and the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches also have some members of the old Congregational Churches. Once again their sites are not of direct interest but they are useful pointers.

The Surman index is an index of Congergational Ministers starting from 1650. A great place if your ancxestor may have been a minister.

The United Reform History Society has many members interested in the history of the Congregational Church and its members who can provide you with some great knowledge.

The Times  and the The Guardian/Observer databases online database contains many hits on a search for Congregational, including appointments of ministers