I was reading the National Archives Blog about the exhibition in the Keeper’s Gallery of some ancient Storage Chests.
One of these magnificent chests, although not made specifically for this purpose, was used to carry the Domesday survey around.
Another is a Muniment Chest, made to hold church documents and money.
I have been fascinated with these exibits from the first time that I spotted them on a visit to the National Archives many years back. I recall vividly peering at them in the low lighting of the museum at TNA and marvelling at their construction.
Of course many of our English and Welsh parish churches have their own version of these caskets, as from the time of the reformation it was decreed that all parishes were to have a chest with three locks for alms to be stored. These evolved to include the records produced by the Parish and thus we have the concept of Parish Chest Records.
On my travels around Leicestershire, I recently came across this example in St Helen’s Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouche.
What were the Parish Chest Records and how can they be of help to the family historian?
I have created a downloadable audio podcast that explains and it is available here: Nosey Genealogist Master Mind Podcast on the Parish Chest.
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