Question/Advice: Requesting records from parish churches?

[Deebs]

I am really quite amazed at the records available for research! I have discovered so much about my family after being at a dead end for quite a long time. Thank you all for your help.

I think though that I've reached a dead end as far as what is available online (but I am a complete NOVICE at genealogical research). I traced my great great grandparents back to the 1830's- but I think maybe that may be as far as the Napoleonic records go for them. I am going to try and find the marriage record for their parents because I am assuming they were married within a decade of their birth (or so).

My question concerns parish or church records. I have read that they are difficult to obtain and that there is a lot of bureaucracy to go through. Do any of you have experience requesting records from the church? I am incredibly happy with what I have discovered in such a short time since I joined this forum- but it has sparked in me a curiosity to know more!

Any advice any of you could give me would be a huge help. Thanks so much for your time!

[mler]

I’m a novice, too, but I was able to trace some records back to my fifth great grandparents, and into the late 1600’s. The marriage records are great for finding the names of parents, but don’t ignore the death records. If some of your ancestors lived long lives, those death records may well be available and will also often include parent names.

It was the death records that allowed me to trace that far back even though the records available began in 1809.

[Deebs]

Thank you! I have been concentrating on birth and marriage records. I appreciate the advice.

[Italysearcher]

Also check the marriage processetti which are usually on line up to 1865.