Birch - what Town/Parish

[Harry]

I am looking for records to research for my G Grandmother. She was born in Birch (southwest of Colchester), but I can't find reference to Birch in the IGI Batch numbers. Does anyone know whether Birch is a stand alone parish of is it part of one of the Colchester parishes ??

Harry

[Geoffers]

I am looking for records to research for my G Grandmother. She was born in Birch (southwest of Colchester), but I can't find reference to Birch in the IGI Batch numbers. Does anyone know whether Birch is a stand alone parish of is it part of one of the Colchester parishes ??
HarryI can't help directly, but you should be able to find an answer from one of the following:

Essex Record Office, parish A-Z
http://194.129.26.30/applications/parishrecords/

Genuki Essex
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/churchdb/search.html

Genuki Parish Locator
http://www.nivek-systems.co.uk/genuki/ESS/index.html

Geoffers

[Harry]

Geoffers,

Thanks - it looks as though Birch is missing from the IGI Batch numbers

Harry

[Andrew Mead]

It doesn't mean it's missing - it means that the LDS probably did not film the registers so they are not in the IGI - maybe the vicar/rector refused them permission. Most Welsh anglican churches are not filmed becaus the Church in Wales refused to allow filming.

Andrew

[davedobbin]

Essex Records Office (ERO) list the parishes they have on microfilm/fiche. Go to http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/display/channels/archives_museums_channel_835005_Enjoying/index.jsp and work your way through the pages to Parish Records. Unfortunately it was down just now so I can't get you any closer.

You will find a parish records locator but you will need to drill down the links to find it. When you get to the bottom they will list the parish registers they have available.
Look for both Birch and Great Birch (they're the same place but I don't know how they're recorded). Birch is also next to Layer Breton, so you might find that useful as well.

You can buy copies of the microfiche if you want to own your own copy. Instructions are on the site, but I suggest you do not enquire via 'enquiries@. . .' but through 'reprographics@ . . .'. Fiche were about GBP2.00 per sheet (+ postage at cost) but are only available in a set (roughly a register's worth). When you enquire, give them your snail mail address - they used to send an application form along with a list of the registers they have (which should tie up with whatever you have found!). They will accept plastic and this is recommended as ERO can charge the exact amount of postage instead of you having to estimate it.

[Peter Goodey]

Harry

If you look at the Family History Library Catalog (sic) and enter "Birch" you'll see that the registers have been filmed (FHL BRITISH Film 1471884 Items 17-25)

So assuming you don't actually want to own a microfiche copy, you have a choice of either a trip to Essex (reasonably easy from Reading!) or ordering the film from the Mormons and spending time in their premises perusing the film.

I know which I'd prefer!

Going to Essex CRO has the extra advantage that you'll be able to to extend your search to other parishes if needs be depending on what you find in the Birch registers.

[Harry]

Thanks to everybody - I will have a look through the on line catalogua and maybe spend a day over at the County Record Office.

Harry