Bedfordshire Church Records

England Bedfordshire

For general history and background, read England Church Records.

Hierarchy of Bedfordshire Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions
Here is the hierarchy of Church of England jurisdictions for Bedfordshire:


 * Before 1837, the county consisted of 122 parishes, parts of six others (five shared with Hertfordshire and one with Northamptonshire), and three extra-parochial tracks. More parishes were created as the population expanded, especially in the cities.
 * The parishes are grouped into six deaneries (Bedford, Clapham, Dunstable, Easton, Fleete, and Shefford).
 * The six deaneries constitute the Archdeaconry of Bedford.
 * Before 1837, the archdeaconry was in the Diocese of Lincoln. Since 1837, it has been in the Diocese of Ely.
 * The diocese is included in the Province of Canterbury.

Copies of Records at the Family History Library
Of 154 pre-1900 parishes of Bedfordshire (including city parishes), the Genealogical Society of Utah has filmed the original parish registers for 148, or 96%. This number does not include Bishop’s Transcripts, Archdeacon Transcripts, parish chest material or other transcripts, many of which have also been microfilmed. Look for records in the Family History Library Catalog under the name of a parish.