512 baptisms in 1822

981 baptisms on the Durham Primitive Methodist Circuit, which covered a large area around Durham City. Due to the nature of Methodist circuit registers, this data set is not complete - there will be more baptisms coming later from the 1910-1925 period.

997 marriages from the start of the register in May 1854 to the end of 1874

Regarding the dispute mentioned in the Christ Church baptisms post below, in April 1856, the Bishop of Durham advised John Hart Burgess to discontinue marriages until the matter was cleared up, so there no marriages at Christ Church between 23rd April 1856 and 5th February 1859. Because of the doubtful legality of marriages which had taken place in the church prior to April 1856, a Private Bill was passed in the Commons and received the Royal Assent on the 10th August 1859 which had the effect of confirming all those marriages as if they had been conducted at a chapel within the parish of Stranton.

These marriages are full of useful genealogical detail, as are most post-1837 marriages. For example:

• 10 Aug 1854 Peter Campbell (bachelor, mariner), age 22, of Alfred St., son of Patrick Campbell (grocer) married Hannah Hunter (spinster), age 20, of Victoria Terr., daughter of Joseph Hunter (shoemaker), married by banns
  Witnesses: Thomas Lowes, Rebecca Smith
  [Note: Groom and bride both signed their names.]