The Parish Registers Of Parracombe Devonshire 1597-1836

The Parish Registers of Parracombe, 1597-1836

Step back in time and walk the ancient, green lanes of Parracombe, a parish nestled deep in the rolling hills of Exmoor, North Devon. For over two centuries, the parish clerks of this quiet community meticulously recorded the cornerstone events of life: baptisms, marriages, and burials. Now, this invaluable collection of primary source documents is available, offering a direct link to your ancestors who lived, loved, and laboured in this historic corner of England.

Spanning from the late Elizabethan era through the English Civil War, the Georgian age, and into the reign of Queen Victoria, this book is more than just a list of names—it is the story of a community. It's the key to unlocking family secrets, breaking down stubborn "brick walls," and placing your family firmly within the rich tapestry of Devonshire history.

What You'll Discover Inside:
This comprehensive transcription of the original parish registers provides a chronological record of:

Baptisms (1597-1836): Discover the names of children born in Parracombe, their parents' names, and often the father's occupation. Trace your family line from generation to generation.
Marriages (1597-1836): Find the joining of couples in holy matrimony. These entries often list the names of the bride and groom, and sometimes their parish of origin, helping you trace migration patterns.
Burials (1597-1836): Uncover the final resting places of your ancestors. These records provide names and burial dates, painting a poignant picture of life and loss in a rural parish.
These records are essential for anyone with ancestry in Parracombe or the surrounding Exmoor villages, including Lynton, Lynmouth, Combe Martin, and Ilfracombe.

Walk in the Footsteps of History: Notable Parracombe Connections
While the registers are filled with the names of farmers, labourers, and craftsmen who formed the backbone of the parish, Parracombe was also the birthplace of a figure who rose to the highest echelons of English church and state.

John Prideaux (1578-1650): Born in Parracombe just before these registers begin, John Prideaux was an influential academic and clergyman. He went on to become the Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, a powerful figure during the tumult of the Civil War, and ultimately the Bishop of Worcester. While you won't find his baptism in this volume, you will be exploring the very parish, church, and community that shaped this formidable historical figure. To research in Parracombe is to walk in the world that produced men like Prideaux.

Owning this book allows you to connect not only with your own family but with the broader historical narrative of England, as seen through the lens of a single, enduring Devonshire parish.