England, Bristol, Non-Conformist Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

This collection consists of nonconformist records from the city of Bristol for the years 1777-1936.

Why Should I Look at This Collection?
Nonconformist church records may not have the most widespread coverage, but when they are available, they are the most informative and accurate source available for English family history until the start of civil registration in 1837. Nonconformist birth and baptismal registers are fairly common, and they generally contain more information than those of the Church of England.

For more information on the content, significance, and availability of Nonconformist Records, please see the England Nonconformist Church Records page.

What Is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index to birth, baptismal, marriage, and burial records. The records come primarily from the following denominations: Methodist, Society of Friends (Quakers), Catholic, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Wesleyan, Swedenborgian, Congregational, and Baptist. The original records are held at the Bristol Records Office.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following lists indicate potential information given in each type of record. Every record may not provide all the listed information, as record-keeping practices varied by time, location, and denomination.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching, it is best to know the following information: As you search, compare your results with this information to find a match.
 * Name of the person
 * Date range for the record

I Found the Person I Was Looking for, What Now?

 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index. To find a copy of the original record, visit the Bristol Records Office page. (Send them to the custodian website if they can access records using that website.
 * Use the information you have found to find the person in census records.


 * If in the appropriate period, use the information which has been discovered to find the individual in civil records. Particularly useful for research in nineteenth-century England are the England Census and the England Civil Registration records.

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This can help you find possible relatives.
 * Search the records of nearby areas.
 * Check for other names. An individual might appear under an unexpected name for a variety of reasons:
 * - They might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name.
 * -A woman may have returned to her maiden name after the death of her husband.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation

Record (or Index) Citation

Image Citation

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