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Church registers are among the most valuable genealogical records, often predating civil registration. They document baptisms, marriages, burials, confirmations, and membership activity. Terminology varies by denomination, language, and time period, so understanding common register terms can clarify relationships, residence, and religious affiliation.
| Term | Meaning |
| Baptism | Religious rite of initiation, often recorded with date and parents’ names. |
| Christening | Term often used interchangeably with baptism, especially in Anglican records. |
| Infant Baptism | Baptism performed shortly after birth; may provide birth date. |
| Adult Baptism | Baptism of a convert or previously unbaptized adult. |
| Sponsor | Individual who presents a child for baptism; also called a godparent. |
| Godparent | Spiritual sponsor for a baptized child; may indicate kinship or close association. |
| Witness | Person present at a baptism or marriage; may be relative or community member. |
| Confirmation | Rite affirming church membership, often in adolescence. |
| Communicant | Member authorized to receive communion. |
| First Communion | Record of a child’s first participation in communion. |
| Parish | Local church district served by a clergy member. |
| Parish Register | Official record book of baptisms, marriages, and burials. |
| Rector | Clergy leader of a parish (often Anglican/Episcopal). |
| Vicar | Clergy serving a parish, often in Church of England tradition. |
| Curate | Assistant clergy member. |
| Minister | General term for Protestant clergy. |
| Priest | Ordained clergy member in Catholic and some other traditions. |
| Pastor | Clergy leader of a Protestant congregation. |
| Sacrament | Religious rite recognized by a church (e.g., baptism, marriage). |
| Matrimony | Marriage ceremony recorded in church register. |
| Banns | Public announcement of intended marriage. |
| Dispensation | Church permission to marry despite impediment (e.g., consanguinity). |
| Consanguinity | Blood relationship between marriage partners. |
| Affinity | Relationship by marriage affecting eligibility to marry. |
| Burial | Church-recorded interment; may note age and residence. |
| Interment | Act of burial. |
| Sepulture | Burial (often in older records). |
| Sexton | Church officer responsible for cemetery and burials. |
| Vestry | Governing body of a parish; may maintain records. |
| Tithe | Financial contribution or tax supporting the church. |
| Pew Rent | Payment for assigned seating in a church. |
| Convert | Individual who joined the church from another faith. |
| Excommunication | Formal removal from church membership. |
| Membership Roll | List of individuals affiliated with a congregation. |
| Parishioner | Member of a parish. |
| Ecclesiastical | Relating to the church. |
| Diocesan | Pertaining to a diocese (regional church authority). |
| Diocese | District under supervision of a bishop. |
| Bishop | Senior clergy authority overseeing multiple parishes. |
| Archdeacon | Senior clergy assisting a bishop. |
| Register Copy | Transcribed version of original parish record. |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse—whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE