NONCONFORMIST RECORDS

Part of Sophie Raworth’s episode featured her nonconformist ancestors, William and Martha Mott. They originally lived in Birmingham, but emigrated to the US in 1791 in search of religious tolerance after witnessing violence towards nonconformists during the Priestley Riots.

We were able to find out more about Sophie’s 5x great grandparents, William and Martha, by obtaining the baptisms for their children including Sophie’s 4x great grandfather Samuel Mott. They showed that the Mott children were not baptised in Anglican churches but in a dissenting church in Birmingham called the New Jerusalem.

Nonconformist records can be found in a variety of places. Firstly, the International Genealogical Index ( IGI) has many such records that can be searched for free at familysearch.org. The original records are still held by The National Archives and further details about them can be found here: national archives.gov.uk/help-withyour- research/researchguides/nonconformists/. However, TNA’s collection can also be searched online ( by purchasing credits) at bmdregisters.co.uk and nonconformist records are now available via all of the major subscription websites. In addition to these resources, some general information about nonconformity in Wales (where it was very widespread) can be found here: www.welshchapels.org/ nonconformity.