The Catholic Registers Of Woburn Lodge Chapel & Weybridge 1750-1874

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surrey Catholic Ancestors: The Registers of Woburn Lodge Chapel & Weybridge 1750-1874

For centuries, the stories of England's Catholic families were whispered, not written; their faith practiced in the quiet seclusion of private chapels, away from the public eye. The trail they left can be faint, but now, a crucial piece of that history is brought into the light.

We are proud to present a definitive transcription and index of The Catholic Registers of Woburn Lodge Chapel & Weybridge (1750-1874). This meticulously compiled collection bridges a pivotal 120-year period, from the final years of the Penal Laws through the dawn of Catholic Emancipation and into the Victorian era.

What You Will Discover Inside:

Two Chapels, One Enduring Faith: Trace your family's journey from the intimate, private services at the exclusive Woburn Lodge Chapel (a chapel of ease for the Dukes of Bedford and their recusant tenants) to the establishment of the first public Catholic mission in Weybridge.

Richly Detailed Entries: Uncover more than just names and dates. These records often include invaluable information such as:

Names of parents and godparents, revealing extended family networks.
Residences and occupations, painting a vivid picture of your ancestors' daily lives.
Notes on marriages, sometimes detailing the families' origins.
Burial records, often noting the cause of death or age with poignant accuracy.

A Bridge Across Time: Spanning from the reign of George II to that of Queen Victoria, these registers tell the story of a community emerging from the shadows. You will find the names of local gentry, artisans, servants, and farmers, all united by a faith that endured against the odds.

Whispers from the Past: The Lore of Woburn & Weybridge

To hold these registers is to touch more than just data; it is to connect with the living, breathing world your ancestors knew. The area around Woburn and Weybridge is steeped in lore, stories that would have been common knowledge to the very people whose names are inscribed in these books.

The Legend of the Priest's Hole at Woburn Lodge:
It is said that within the walls of the grand Woburn Lodge, a secret remained known only to a trusted few. Local legend speaks of a "priest's hole," a narrow, concealed stair behind a tapestry in the main drawing room, leading to a small, hidden chamber. During the height of the anti-Catholic laws, it was here that fleeing priests were allegedly hidden by the Duke's loyal staff, sustained by the Fitzwalter family, staunch Catholics who managed the estate's farms. The faint scent of incense and whispered Latin prayers are said to still linger in the air on cold winter nights, a spectral echo of the secret masses that saved lives and sustained a faith. Your ancestor may have been one of the brave souls who risked all to attend that mass.

The Weeping Nuns of Oatlands:
Just a stone's throw from Weybridge lie the ruins of Oatlands Palace, and nearby, the grounds of a former convent dissolved by Henry VIII. A powerful local myth tells of the "Weeping Nuns of Oatlands," whose spirits are said to appear on the eve of St. Agnes, walking in procession towards the river. For the Catholic families of Weybridge, this legend was not just a ghost story, but a somber reminder of their heritage. The names in these registers belong to people who grew up with this tale, who would have cast a nervous glance towards Oatlands on a foggy evening, and whose faith was shaped by the memory of what was lost.

Who Is This For?
Family Historians tracing Catholic roots in Surrey and the Home Counties.
Descendants of the Dukes of Bedford's household or the local recusant families of the area.
Local Historians seeking to understand the social and religious fabric of 18th and 19th-century Weybridge.
Anyone with a surname common to the area—such as Byrne, Murphy, Fitzgerald, Hickey, or Walsh—who suspects a hidden Catholic branch in their family tree.

Don't Let Your Ancestors' Stories Remain Lost.
The faded ink in these original registers holds the key to your heritage. It chronicles not just births, marriages, and deaths, but resilience, devotion, and the quiet triumph of a community.

Order your copy of The Catholic Registers Of Woburn Lodge Chapel & Weybridge 1750-1874 today and step through the doorway into your family's past.