The Parish Registers Of Widecombe In The Moor Devon 1570-1837

Step into the heart of Dartmoor and discover the lives of your ancestors.

Nestled on the windswept, granite-strewn expanse of Dartmoor, the parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a place of myth, legend, and deep-rooted history. Its famous church tower, known as the "Cathedral of the Moor," has stood as a silent witness to over 250 years of human drama. Now, you can hold the key to that history in your hands.

This essential genealogical resource provides a complete and faithful transcript of the original parish registers, covering the critical period from the Elizabethan era to the dawn of Queen Victoria's reign.

Inside This Invaluable Volume, You Will Find:

Baptisms (1570-1837): Discover the names of children born into the parish, their parents, and often their father's occupation. Find the first entry for your Widecombe family line.
Marriages (1570-1837): Unite the branches of your family tree. Find the marriage bonds and banns that joined two families and launched new generations on the moor.
Burials (1837-1837): Trace the end of life's journey. These records often provide poignant details, marking the passing of loved ones through times of plague, famine, and peace.
Why These Registers Are Indispensable for Your Research:

Break Through Your Pre-1837 Brick Wall: These records are the single most important source for tracing English ancestry before the start of civil registration.

A Primary Source at Your Fingertips: Save hours of difficult archive visits and deciphering archaic handwriting. This clear, printed transcript allows you to search for your family names with ease.
Place Your Ancestors in History: Watch your family story unfold against the backdrop of the English Civil War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the great social changes of the Georgian era.

A Parish of Legend and Notable Residents
Widecombe is more than just a collection of names; it's a parish steeped in stories. Your ancestors may have witnessed these famous events and known these remarkable people:

The Great Thunderstorm of 1638: Perhaps the most famous event in the parish's history. On Sunday, October 21st, 1638, a freak and terrifying thunderstorm struck St. Pancras Church during a service. The building was smashed, the tower split, and four people were killed. This dramatic event was recorded across the country and your ancestors who lived there would have undoubtedly had their own powerful stories of that fateful day. Could a baptism, marriage, or burial in your family line date from this very year?

Rev. John Swete (1742-1821): A celebrated clergyman, artist, and topographer, known as the "Uncle of Cornwall." While Rector of nearby Oxenhall, he travelled extensively throughout Devon, creating beautiful watercolours and detailed journal entries of the landscapes and people. He painted several scenes of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, capturing its essence for posterity. Your ancestors may have been the subjects of his sketches or the characters in his diaries.

The Legends of Widecombe Fair: While the characters of the famous folk song "Widecombe Fair"—Tom Pearce, Bill Brewer, Stewer Gaze, and more—are likely fictional, they are forever tied to the parish's identity. The annual fair was a major event in the local calendar, a place for trade, revelry, and courtship. Your ancestors undoubtedly attended, and perhaps their own romances and adventures inspired the local legends!