The Staffordshire and Diocese of Lichfield Collections

Findmypast is proud to offer the Staffordshire and Diocese of Lichfield Collections, 1538 – 1900, from the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service. The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service holds 6,500 collections, covering over five miles of shelving. Their records date from the 11th century to the present day.

Parish registers: Since its foundation, the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service has been responsible for the records of Staffordshire parishes. Its collections can help you to discover more about the history of your family or local community. The parish registers in the Staffordshire parish register collection, 1538 – 1900, record the key events in the lives of the people of Staffordshire, including the city of Stoke on Trent and those parts of the historic county currently within the West Midlands conurbation. Included in this collection are Staffordshire baptism, banns, marriage, and burial records.

Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate: Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate: The wills proved in the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry (later Lichfield), 1521 – 1858, are a superb resource, providing details of wider family and social relationships through the bequests left by testators. Associated inventories also provide a fascinating insight into their personal possessions and ‘tools of the trade’. Wills proved and administrations granted in the Consistory Court covered Staffordshire, Derbyshire, north Shropshire and north and east Warwickshire, 1521 – 1858.

Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry marriage allegations and bonds: Marriage allegations and bonds were required for the issue of a licence by the bishop, which occurred for only a minority of marriages. Marriage bonds in the Consistory Court covered Staffordshire and north Shropshire, 1636 - 1893, Derbyshire 1636 – 1884, and north and east Warwickshire, 1636 – 1847.

Previously, these records have been available only in the search rooms of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service, but through this partnership with Findmypast, the most popular family history sources are being made available online.