There were a couple of different formats used in this time period depending on where the record was created. I have broadly categorized these formats into three categories:
- Ola leaf format
- Dutch register format
- Paragraph format
Ola leaf format
This format was introduced around the 1840s (might differ depending on the location). It was written on a strip of paper that mimicked the ola leaf format. This format was inclusive to all birth, marriage and death records.
Dutch register format
I call this the Dutch register format because it resembles the format used by the Dutch reformed church. Multiple records are written down on a single page with columns used to separate different bits of information. In my experience, this type of format seems to be most common with Roman Catholic and Wesleyan church records between 1822-1867.
Paragraph format
The paragraph format is as it sounds, its when there details are written out as a paragraph. This type of record was created from 1822 to around 1867.
