At our July meeting, well known genealogist Michael Gandy spoke on ‘Tracing Catholic Ancestors’.
The Reformation commencing in the 1530s ended the domination of Catholicism in England, but changes in doctrine were less important than Royal or Papal supremacy. As elsewhere in Europe, subjects were expected to conform to the monarch’s religion. Catholics who did not attend church were fined and their priests punished as traitors. Persecution was at its height under Elizabeth, with Spanish invasion threatened.
Catholicism’s survival was largely dependent on local Catholic gentry, except in such as Lancashire, where attachment to the old religion remained strong. By 1767, Catholics were only around 1% of the population. Restrictions were then relaxed, initially, under pressures for Army recruitment. The mid 19th century saw Catholicism expanding, partly with Irish immigration, but also through missionary activity.
As for records, Catholics are in the usual ones, including poor relief. In addition, they appear in Recusant Rolls and Quarter Sessions records, when being fined for not attending church. Baptismal records, however, are a problem before the late 18th century.
As ever, Michael managed to be informative, entertaining and thought provoking!
Michael Lucas