I wasn't stamping my little size 5s in a temper at being refused what I felt was my right, more surprised at the reply because I hadn't come across it before. However, both Roy and Nivard have said that it is not an isolated case so at least it's nothing personal ;-) I shall have to consider other options. As I was wishing to confirm several entries I had found on the IGI, a trip to a LDS FHC (once I've ordered the relevant film) might be the way forward. Although there isn't one very local to where we live, it should be considerably closer than Yorkshire! Regards Heather Roy Stockdill wrote: > On 9 Nov 2009 at 16:13, Nivard Ovington wrote: > > >> Hi Heather >> >> Its not that unusual, try Berkshire, its the same problem there >> >> It would presumably be the decision of the Bishop, who for some reason or other does not want to make the information available >> >> Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >> >> >> >> >>> Hi there >>> >>> I've just heard back from East Riding Archive and Local Studies Service about the Scalby parish records. They confirm that they hold them but "under instruction from our Diocese, the microfiche are not available for sale." >>> >>> <snip> >>> >>> Has anyone ever come across this before? Can anyone offer an explanation why a Diocese would object? >>> > > We seem to be confusing two different things here... > > 1) The public's right to inspect parish registers. > > 2) Making them generally available for sale. > > As Nivard says, it seems to vary from one diocese to another. Some are happy to make them widely available for sale, others are not. And, of course, there have always been bloody-minded, stupid vicars who think the registers are their own personal property and are not to be shown to anyone else! > > <snip> > > -- > Roy Stockdill >