This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: diamondlifestyle Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.yks.general/15637.5.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Julie, Parish records are pretty much at the mercy of the parish clark who recorded the baptisms, marriages and burials for each individual church. Depending on a huge number of factors, there can be any amount of information on them, so if for example the person concerned was well-known in the church / parish they may well have written an essay all about them, but then again they may just put in one line. For every record you find that lists an entire person's family history and circumstance, there are probably a thousand that just say 'John Smith buried 12 Nov' etc. Equally, parish records are at the mercy of time. If you consider how many churches there are in the UK, and how far back these records go, it's a miracle any survive at all, and for every one that does, there are probably a dozen that haven't. That makes searching the records very hit-and-miss, but where you do find the ones appropriate to your family, chances are you'll get a lot of good information from them, as families didn't move around very much. I've had a look at the records I've got, I've not got Kirk Leavington at all I'm afraid, and my Stokesley records end at 1750, which is just too early for your marriage, or William's birth. Your best bet is the North Riding records office, which is where the original records are held, as for every record that gets transcribed and makes it online, there are a hundred sitting getting dusty somewhere! Good luck Kate Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.