Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

There was a query today on the LFHHS yahoo forum (only available to members and well worth the membership) which I thought may be of interest on here.
The question asked was about the letters Affid found on parish registers and the following was the answer given.
"""The government introduced a law making it mandatory for people to be buried in wool to help the woollen trade, this was in the late 17th century. The vicars had to confirm that this had been complied with and often did so against the entry in the parish register. Affid, I suppose being short for Affadavit.
If a person was NOT buried in wool, a fine had to be paid in the region of £5.00 -- quite a hefty sum in those days."""

I don't think I knew that, and how interesting.
Gloria

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

A little bit more on the above.

The following is some background on the requirements to bury people in wool and the requirement for affadavits.

If you go onto the Lancashire on Line Parish clerk website under burials for St James Church at Church Kirk you will find a copy of a typical affadavit under notes for early burials.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thanks Gloria. I didn't know that either!

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Bet they never dug anyone up tp check tho!

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at