In the neighbouring counties much progress has been made in this direction in the last few years, and we may anticipate equal interest will be taken in the work of preserving through the means of the Press the ancient Parish Registers of this County.
In Cornwall upwards of 85, and in Somerset 79 Marriage Registers have been printed, while in the Dorset series, much more recently commenced, 36 Registers have already been rendered available by publication, and it is hoped that not less rapid progress will be effected in Devonshire. The contents of the present Volume show how needful it is that steps should be taken to print our Parish Registers and place them beyond risk of destruction. Of the seven
parishes included, only that of Uffculme possesses a Register going back to the earliest period of 1538 ; five do not commence until the seventeenth century and one not till 1752. It will thus be seen how great has been the amount of parish records that have perished, ; but placed thus in print as in this volume the contents of Registers are safe from loss or destruction.
