dear all,
I have come across a document on Ancestry which reads: 'Elizabeth of English and Elizabeth Tiffen born 16th april 1800'. England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936. Rg4: Registers of Births, Marriages and DeathsSuffolk, Independent, Piece 1861: Sudbury, Great Meeting, Friar Street, Little Or Lower Meeting (Independent), 1707-1837.
I am assuming that 'English Tiffen' is the same 'James English Tiffen' who appears in many trees living in Bulmer, Essex where it also seems his other children are born. There are a few other 'English Tiffen's' knocking around the general area, so I am looking to see if assumptions have been made in the building of some of the trees on internet.
Which leads to my question,,,, or questions (before I start dissecting trees);
Is the Independent meeting place on Friar street in Sudbury? Is a meeting place a Church? Would it have served only residents of Sudbury, Suffolk or other towns and villages such as Middleton or Bulmer in Essex? Would a family make use of this register/Church and then revert to their local Church?
Maybe a lot to ask, but could someone please be so kind as to explain (simply) what the non-Conformist or non-Parochial registers and meeting places are/were? I am guessing it has something to do with not following the general doctrines of the Church at that time?
Many, many thanks in advance for any education in this mater
