Register of other Religious Groups

These include people of widely differing beliefs - Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, members of the Society of Friends, Jews, Presbyterians etc
People of English Protestant denominations who did not follow the teachings of the Church of England, were known as non-conformists.
Before 1837, whatever their religious beliefs, most people were baptised, married and buried in the local Church of England parish church.
Despite differences of belief and even after the Toleration Act of 1689 which gave them the freedom to worship, many non-conformists continued to use their parish church for registration purposes.
Some non-conformists kept their own registers during the period 1689 -1837. These were mainly for baptisms and burials.
Between 1754 and 1837, legislation made it illegal to marry anywhere but in a Church of England parish church. Exceptions were members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and Jews who were exempt from this Act and permitted to keep their own records.
After 1837, although you could marry in the church of your choice, some organisations did not keep their own registers. You need to check the record kept by the General Registrar (the civil record)
Surviving registers for nonconformist baptisms, marriages and deaths prior to 1837 are held at the National Archives. Copies on microfilm are held at the Family Records Centre and at most record offices (including Cheshire). Registers from 1837 are often deposited in local record offices.

Useful Links

For information on the background to nonconformist records and practical advice on how to use them:

Many nonconformist registers are held at the Cheshire Record Office.