The Parish Registers Of Topsham Devon 1600-1837

Unlock Your Devon Roots: The Parish Registers of Topsham (1600-1837)

Are your family’s stories anchored in the historic port of Topsham? For over two centuries, this bustling maritime hub on the River Exe was home to sailors, shipwrights, merchants, and fishermen. Now, you can trace their lives through the most vital record of the time.

The Parish Registers of Topsham, Devon (1600-1837) is a meticulously transcribed collection of the original baptism, marriage, and burial records from St. Margaret’s Church. Spanning from the Elizabethan era through the Georgian period and right up to the dawn of Victorian England (and the start of civil registration), this is the definitive key to unlocking your Topsham ancestry.

Inside this essential genealogical resource, you will discover:

Baptisms (1600-1837): Find the names of your ancestors' children, their parents, and often their occupations, allowing you to grow your family tree branch by branch.
Marriages (1600-1837): Unite family lines by discovering marriage dates, the names of brides and grooms, and the witnesses who stood with them.
Burials (1600-1837): Pinpoint death dates and final resting places, closing the chapter on a generation and providing crucial clues for further research.
A Glimpse into Topsham's Storied Past

Topsham was no ordinary parish. It was a vital centre for shipbuilding and trade, with vessels departing for Newfoundland, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Your ancestors may have walked the same quaysides, lived in the distinctive Dutch-gabled houses built from the profits of trade, and been part of a community defined by the river and the sea.

A Famous Connection: The Legacy of John Gay

These very registers may hold a connection to one of the 18th century's most celebrated figures. The poet and dramatist John Gay (1685-1732), famed for his masterpiece The Beggar's Opera, spent his formative years in Topsham. His father, William Gay, was a clerk to the vicar of St. Margaret's. As you search these records, you walk in the footsteps of greatness. Could your ancestor have been a contemporary of the Gay family? Perhaps a shipwright who built the ships they saw on the Exe, or a neighbour who shared the same narrow streets as this future literary giant?

Why You Need This Register:

Essential Pre-1837 Resource: Covers the critical period before national civil registration began.
Faithful & Accurate: Carefully transcribed from often-difficult-to-read original documents.
Fully Indexed: Easily search by name to find your relatives without having to scroll through hundreds of pages.
Historical Context: Gain a richer understanding of the world your ancestors inhabited.
Whether you are a seasoned family historian or just beginning your journey into your Devon heritage, The Parish Registers of Topsham is an indispensable tool for bringing your past to life.