Jane
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WellThis was in part of another email I got today!
Vatican bans FamilySearch
Last autumn I visited the Vatican, where absolutely anyone can gaze at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or view the many other artworks on display. By contrast, in a move that has surprised some family historians and annoyed others, the Vatican has banned FamilySearch from microfilming and digitising Roman Catholic parish registers.
Because FamilySearch doesn't attempt to directly promote the Mormon religion it's easy to forget that one of the aims of the LDS Church in filming registers is to enable church members to posthumously baptise their ancestors into the Mormon religion. Understandably, the Roman Catholic church finds the practice of rebaptism unacceptable - but it's unfortunate that those of us who are merely family historians may be hampered in our research as a result.
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ray green
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I don't think you have to be an RC to find that practice unacceptable. Obviously it won't concern the dear departed but it is a slur on their memory.
Not that I will stop using their excellent site! But then I never did have any scruples.
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Dotty
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Quite rightly so...The Vatican has every right to refuse and if any other group wanted to 'take over' the good work of digitising the Catholic records then that would be splendid. These records are still available to peruse the old fashioned way...aren't they?
Dotty 
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Jane
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I doubt many of us would have got so far without the work being done by the LDS Church.
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Germaine
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Life would be much harder without the LDS.
What I can't understand is ( not good at putting into words  ) but if you believe your faith is the right one then does it really matter if another one just adds some names of dead people to theirs.
I don't find it slur on thier memory They don't actually mean any harm they think they are right as do all religions.
Our local RC church hasn't released there reg. well not up to a couple of years ago ( though I thought the records office were to have been getting them all ) the now Parish priest did look up some records on the phone for someone I know and a lovely lady found some for me. I really should see if this priest will let me look at the reg so many now to find.
But a previous priest wouldn't let anyone look at them . He did have a good reason long story but it spoilt it for everyone.
Also the local Methodist won't let you look at theirs either. So I am told and neither have anything in the local library.
A cousin in USA wrote to a convent in Ireland to ask for details of her grandmother and got the reply we don't do family history.
Germaine
x :grin:
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Jane
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Maybe someone will correct me here but....................I thought parish records were public records and so anyone should be able to consult them. I know some priests ask or expect a small donation but they should still be available to view - obviously within reason. I shall dig around to find something about the act that meant they had to be deposited at the relevant Record Office or kept in the correct conditions at the church
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Germaine
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Ah thanks Jane. I was told about the priest that refused had had a bad experience with an illigitimate child and a will so he wouldn't let anyone look at them. He isn't there now.
I thought too that reg. were supposed to be sent to the LRO for safe keeping.
As for the local Methodist again only what I was told but nothing for either in the library.
Germaine
x :grin:
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Jane
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Trying to search but its not an easy thing to find!
Looking at my old how to do family history books - one says if registers are still in the parish access may be difficult to arrange but legally you are entitled to see them.
The other book mentions the Parochial REgisters and Records Measure 1978 - this is the act I was thinking about that meant old pariosh registers had to be deposited at the local record office.
After a Google search I've eventually found this -
All registers which have been closed should be deposited on loan in the appropriate Diocesan record office. Any register whose last entry is over 100 years old should be deposited in the Diocesan record office.
Records and registers over 100 years old may only be retained in a parish following a resolution by the PCC and the Bishop's permission.
Stringent conditions for the storage of documents over 100 years old are set out in the Parochial Registers & Records Measure 1978, amended by the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992. The place of storage will be inspected by a Diocesan Archivist.
When records and registers have been deposited parishes should adopt a policy of regularly depositing non-current files and completed PCC and other minute books and account books.
When records and registers are deposited, a list of documents received will be sent to the incumbent and should be placed in the safe in the vestry.
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Dotty
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MmmmmI can see that someone needs to challenge some of these places that fail to adhere to the law...
Thanks for the comments Germaine and for your input Jane.
Dotty 
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Germaine
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Thanks for that Jane.
Yes Dotty at least now we know how we stand as far as the law goes.
Germaine
x :grin:
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ray green
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I wonder if the C of E as the established church has different obligations from other religions such as RC or methodist? This is how the Freedom of Information Act works eg a Council housing department is obliged to release information but a housing association is not.
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Germaine
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That's a thought Ray.
Something to check out.
Germaine
x :grin:
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