Slaley, Northumberland Genealogy

= Parish History =

Slaley is an Ancient Parish and the religious history of the village may be traced to the 13th and 14th century. There is a documentary reference to a church at Slaley at this time, but it has since been rebuilt. A millstone quarry once operated at Slaley and is known from historical documents. Much of medieval life was dominated by religion and monasteries are known in the nearby area at Blanchland and Hexham. These religious houses developed great estates away from the main church and the Hermitage and Chapel of St Mary, given to Kelso Abbey in Scotland, may lie in this or the neighbouring parish of Broomhaugh and Riding. The wealth of these houses may have attracted Scottish raiders, known to have attacked Blanchland and en route Merchingley.

= Parish Registers =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/232 Date: 1762-1888 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.

Slaley, St Mary the Virgin: Records of baptisms 1703-1971, marriages 1722-1991 and burials 1720-1910 are available at Northumberland Collections Service. The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes baptisms 1703-1812 and marriages 1722-1812 for this parish, and Boyd's Marriage Index includes marriages 1725-1812. An indexed transcript of baptisms 1703-1851, marriages 1722-1851 &amp; burials 1720-1851 for Slaley (microfiche PR203) is published by Northumberland and Durham Family History Society; and these records are also available in book form at Newcastle Central Library, Local Studies Department.

= Nonconformist Records =


 * Early Wesleyan Methodist chapels in this area belonged to Hexham W.M. Circuit. Records for 1797-1836 can be seen at Northumberland Collections Service and are included on the IGI.