This will be seen to comprehend such Register Books as apply to births and deaths only, and not to those containing baptisms and burials (which latter are only in the custody of the officiating ministers); and although some doubts may arise from the words "allow searches to be made of any Register Book in his keeping," I am of opinion that "the Register Book" here meant "in his keeping" only applies to the description just preceding, viz. of "births and deaths." I am inclined to think that no fee is payable legally to the minister for searching the Register Books of baptisms or burials, nor even for making a copy of an entry therein by any persons if they feel disposed to take a copy themselves.
In the same act, sec. 49., a provision is enacted that nothing in that act shall affect the registration of baptisms or burials as then by law established, or the right of any officiating minister to receive the usual fees for the performance or registration of any baptism, burial, or marriage: so that there is nothing even in this controlling clause last quoted, that at all affects the right of persons to search without fee the registers of baptisms or burials, or even of making copies; for that clause simply refers to the fact of registering, and the fees payable for solemnising the same, and the registration, although I am not aware that there is a fee for registering a baptism, although it was so in William III.'s reign.
By the 12th sect. of the 52 Geo. III. c. 146. (the latter part of it), I find that the copies of the registers which are transmitted by the minister annually to the registrar of the diocese, are to be arranged, and an alphabetical list of names to be made by the registrar; and such copies and list to be open to public search at all reasonable times upon payment of their usual fees. This of course does not apply to the baptismal or burial registers in the custody of the minister; but it is quoted that your correspondent may be in possession of the whole facts, for it is undoubtedly most important to the genealogical or archæological inquirer. If I am wrong, I shall be glad to stand corrected on the error being pointed out.
JOHN NURSE CHADWICK.
King's Lynn, Dec. 15, 1851.
Replies to Minor Queries.
Proverbs (Vol. iv., p. 239.).
—A proverb has been well defined (it is said by Lord John Russell) to be "the wisdom of many, and the wit of one."
ESTE.