Parish Registers
The Parish Register system approved by Synod in June 2005, contents of
which are set by Canon
Five will begin 01 January 2006. The following notes are made
available as instruction for their maintanence.
Notes on the Use of Parish Registers
1. Information recorded.
Specifics of information being recorded in parish registers are set by Canon Five of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton.
Registers containing personal information are to be treated with the
utmost of care and in keeping with the principles of the Privacy Policy
of the Diocese of Fredericton.
2. Importance.
Parish records are of importance in the present as they track the
current activity of divine service and liturgical / pastoral ministry.
They are important in the future as they are referenced by individuals
requiring proof of the integrity of personal information, including
sacramental verification upon which other events depend. Records
eventually prove invaluable in research efforts in the areas of
genealogy, church history and sociological study.
3. Responsibility.
Parish Registers are an important record of the pastoral, liturgical
and sacramental actions of God’s Church. The parish incumbent is
responsible to see that they are maintained with care and accuracy as
the permanent record of life events of the People of God (Canon Five - 5).
4. Entry of records.
Use of a black fine point pen will avoid smearing or blotting and
greatly increase the permanence of the record. Never use a red or
peacock blue ink and definitely not a marker. Write clearly or print to
assure maximum legibility. Use of the original print acid free pages
obtained through the diocesan office assures the best possible record
media.
5. Completion of records.
Complete all information requested by the register entry to the best
ability of the recorder as soon after the liturgical event as possible.
Financial information relating to offerings is entered at the church
and before they leave the building as outlined in Canon Six-6(d) and the recommended
financial controls and procedures in the Diocesan
Parish Officer Handbook - Part Two:
• the Treasurer should avoid being a counter if at all possible
• the count information should be carefully reported on forms designed for that purpose (as per example on following pages)
• the offering amount is to be recorded in the Vestry Book as soon as possible after the count is complete (and before it leaves the church)
• the funds are to be deposited in the bank as soon as is possible (a night depository service will assist greatly)
• the Treasurer and Envelope Secretary are to be given copies of the count information for their respective purposes
6. Submission of records.
Original register pages for each previous calendar year are to be
returned to the Diocesan Archives through the Synod Office no later
than 01 March. If so desired, a photocopy may be retained for church
files. All other registers from prior years should be forwarded to the
Archives as soon as possible.
7. Retrieval of records.
Recorded information for the purpose of the issue or reissue of
certificates, or for other uses, is easily obtained by the incumbent or
parish corporation by contacting the Diocesan Archives by mail, phone
or e-mail.
| Parish Register Pages |  |
| Notes | |
| Vestry Book Title Page | |
| Vestry Book | |
| Registers Title Page | |
| Baptisms | |
| Confirmations and First Communions | |
| Marriages (January 2011 Revision) | |
| Burials | |