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Monday 08 September 2008
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Southwell Diocesan Records

All Church of England parishes belong to a diocese or see, an administrative unit under the jurisdiction of a bishop.

Until 1837 the archdeaconry of Nottingham formed part of the diocese of York. Between 1837 and 1884 it was part of the diocese of Lincoln. The diocese of Southwell was formed in 1884 from the diocese of Lincoln and included Derbyshire until Derby was made into a see in 1927.

Nottinghamshire Archives is also the Southwell Diocesan Record Office and holds the records of the Southwell Diocese.

Main groups of documents

How to find the document you want

Main groups of documents include:

Diocesan registers

Coverage: 1884 - 1976
Volumes containing registered copies of documents relating to the administration of the church, mainly its property. These volumes are indexed.

Many of the original documents to which the volumes make reference, including faculties, are also held at the archives. The registers need to be used first to locate details about the document including the number allocated to it by the Diocesan Registry, before the document itself can be ordered from the archival strong rooms.

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Diocesan day books

Coverage: 1884 - 1941
Volumes containing details of documents relating to various administrative issues, largely concerning clergy, such as ordinations, institutions and resignations; also property. These volumes are indexed.

There are additional documents relating to many of the entries in the volumes. The day books need to be used first to locate details about the document including the number allocated to it by the Diocesan Registry, before the document itself can be ordered from the strong room.

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Bishops' transcripts

Coverage: 1597 - 1883
Copies of baptisms, marriages and burials made annually by churchwardens and sent to the Diocesan Registry. The copy or transcript should include the same information as the parish register, but may contain additional material.

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Glebe terriers

Coverage: 1714 - 1825
These record the income and property of each parish and were returned at the visitation of the bishop.

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Faculties

Coverage: 1884 - c 1975
These record alterations to the fabric and furnishings of parish churches. Faculties can be accessed only through the Diocesan registers.

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Diocesan magazines

Coverage: 1888 - 1949
Annual volumes recording administrative details relating to the diocese, including details of current ministers and benefices. This is not a complete series.

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Tithe Maps

Coverage: 1837 - 1851

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How to find the document you want

There is a catalogue of the diocesan archive available in the search room.

Documents listed in the registers or day books, such as faculties, can only be accessed by consulting the register or day book first to locate the relevant number for the document.

Bishops' transcripts are available on microfiche in the archives search room.

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Records Elsewhere

Records of the Diocese of York are held at the Borthwick Institute

Records of the Diocese of Lincoln are held at Lincolnshire Archives

Records of the Diocese of Derby are held at Derbyshire Record Office

Records of the Archdeaconry Court of Nottingham, apart from wills, are held at the University of Nottingham

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