The Parish of Arbory and Castletown

Visitors

Visitors Welcome

We are always happy to welcome visitors to our parish churches. 

Both churches are open for services as listed in the calendar. 

St Columba's, Arbory is open daily and you are welcome to come and have a look around or just sit and relax in the peace and tranquility of this country parish church.

At St Mary's on the Harbour, Castletown visits can be made by prior arrangement. Advance notice is always appreciated as it is not always possible to arrange immediate access.

If you require a guided tour around either of our churches, this can also be arranged. 

Researching your Manx Family History 

If you are researching family history most of our earlier church records are lodged with the Isle of Man Civil Registry. The parish does retain some records on site but these are more recent in date. Again, we are always pleased to help anyone researching their family tree or trying to locate a family grave and suggest that in the first instance you phone or email the Vicar. 

Please note that when requesting information from the records it may take up to 7 days. If you are requiring a copy of a marriage certificate, there is a small fee payable.

Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby.

Manx National Heritage produce a very helpful Information Sheet giving general information as well as the details for a number of societies and sources available to help you get started.

A link to their Information Sheet and other resources are given below:

  • Isle of Man Civil Registry - Records of registrations of births and deaths since 1878 and marriages since 1884.

  • manxBMD.com - Online copies of birth, marriage and death certificates for the period 1878 to 1993.

  • familyBMD.com - Website explaining how to trace your family history.

  • GENUKI - UK and Ireland Genealogy 'virtual reference library" 

 Acknowledgement: Manx National Heritage.

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