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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Ogglebog on Sunday 05 June 22 17:44 BST (UK)

Title: How to find Church (Baptism / Wedding / Burial) Costs / Tax Records
Post by: Ogglebog on Sunday 05 June 22 17:44 BST (UK)
Hi

Can anyone give me pointers on how / if it's possible to find the costs for a service e.g. baptism, wedding or burial? I'm looking in particular at St Mary the Virgin in Wendens Ambo, Essex in 1818 but its also a general question more widely!

Thanks

Andy
Title: Re: How to find Church (Baptism / Wedding / Burial) Costs / Tax Records
Post by: Maiden Stone on Monday 06 June 22 14:36 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat.
I recall a RootsChat discussion on wedding fees with links to information sources in some replies.
 
Title: Re: How to find Church (Baptism / Wedding / Burial) Costs / Tax Records
Post by: Ogglebog on Monday 06 June 22 17:25 BST (UK)
Quote from: Maiden Stone on Monday 06 June 22 14:36 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat.
I recall a RootsChat discussion on wedding fees with links to information sources in some replies.
 

Thank you
Title: Re: How to find Church (Baptism / Wedding / Burial) Costs / Tax Records
Post by: heywood on Monday 06 June 22 17:53 BST (UK)
There is a mention here
https://www.british-genealogy.com/forum/threads/8049-Cost-of-Church-marriage-early-1800-s
Title: Re: How to find Church (Baptism / Wedding / Burial) Costs / Tax Records
Post by: Maiden Stone on Wednesday 08 June 22 12:16 BST (UK)
Quote from: heywood on Monday 06 June 22 17:53 BST (UK)
There is a mention here
https://www.british-genealogy.com/forum/threads/8049-Cost-of-Church-marriage-early-1800-s

A reply on that forum has put wages for comparison.
The basic cost of marriage appears to have been similar to a man's weekly wage.
Statutory fees for a wedding in an Anglican church in 2022, without extras, is around £500, so a similar expense as 200 years ago.
https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding/just-engaged/cost-church-weddings

Church of England Parochial Fees 2022
Marriage: Publication of marriage banns £32; Certificate of banns, if required £16; Marriage service £480 (not including extras such as choir, bell-ringers &c.)
Funeral & burial: Fees vary. No fee for burial of a still-born infant or for a funeral service for a person under 18. 
Baptism: No fee for a service of baptism. Cost of baptism certificate, if required £16.

A tax was levied on births, marriages and deaths for 2 periods in the 18th century. Paupers were exempt. C. of E. clergy were responsible for collecting the taxes.