Tanfield, Durham Genealogy

= Parish History =

Tanfield St Margaret was created 1768 from a former chapelry in Chester le Street Ancient Parish and originally included Beamish, Lintz Green Tanfield, Shield Row, Stanley, Tantobie, Whit-le-Head, Burnopfield, Lintz Ford, and Hill Top. A considerable portion of this extensive parish has been used in the formation of new parishes, the last being the parish of Beamish.

= Parish Records =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/248 Date: March 1765-1844 Parish Register transcripts are available to search free online at Record Search.

The dates of the post-1760 transcripts have been noted in detail and sometimes only cover years. For most parishes in the collection there are gaps in the sequence of transcripts. It is advisable to consult the original parish registers for these years and events. "The parish register has been lost or destroyed up to 1719." [From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]

The Parish Registers for the period 1719-1959 are deposited at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (EP/Ta).

The Marriages (1813-1837) are included in the Joiner Marriage Database.

The following records for churches in the ancient parish of Tanfield are also available at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL:-


 * Beamish 1876-1978 (EP/Bea).
 * Burnopfield 1873-1974 (EP/Bur).
 * Dipton 1884-1979 (EP/Dip).
 * Rowlands Gill 1904-1976 (EP/RG).
 * Stanley see Beamish (above).