The Parish Registers Of Roxton 1602-1812 Great Barford 1559-1812 & Renhold 1602-1812

Uncover Your Roots in Roxton, Great Barford & Renhold

Step back in time and trace your Bedfordshire ancestors with this definitive collection of parish register transcripts. Spanning from the Elizabethan era through to the Georgian age, these meticulously compiled records are the key to unlocking your family's history. Baptisms, marriages, and burials are all included, providing a vivid and direct link to the people who lived, loved, and laboured in these historic communities.

1. The Parish Registers of Roxton (1602-1812)
Discover the ancestral home of a great social reformer.

This collection covers the parish of Roxton, a quintessential Bedfordshire village with a rich history, from the early 17th century to the Regency period. These records are an indispensable resource for anyone with roots in this community.

Records Included: Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials.
Date Range: 1602 - 1812.
Key Features: Fully indexed transcript for easy searching of names and dates.
Notable Resident: John Howard (1726-1790)

Roxton was the beloved home of John Howard, the celebrated 18th-century prison reformer. As the Lord of the Manor of Roxton, he lived at the Manor House and it was from here that he conducted much of his work. Howard was a tireless philanthropist who travelled extensively across Europe and the British Isles to inspect prison conditions, leading to landmark reforms. His own life was marked by tragedy and resilience, and his legacy is enshrined in the name of the Howard League for Penal Reform.

By exploring these registers, you are walking in the footsteps of this remarkable humanitarian. You may discover the names of his tenants, the families who worked his lands, or even the records of his own household staff. These registers don't just list names; they place your ancestors in the very landscape of one of England's great social pioneers.

2. The Parish Registers of Great Barford (1559-1812)
Trace your family at a vital historic crossing.

Nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse, Great Barford has long been a place of significance due to its iconic medieval bridge. This collection offers an exceptionally long and continuous record of the parish, beginning in the heart of the Elizabethan era.

Records Included: Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials.
Date Range: 1559 - 1812.
Key Features: An unbroken record spanning over 250 years, fully indexed.
Notable Connections: The Whitbread Dynasty

While their main seat was at nearby Southill, the influential Whitbread family—founders of the famous brewery and prominent politicians—had vast landholdings and influence throughout the Bedfordshire Ouse Valley. Samuel Whitbread (1720-1796) was a major figure in national politics and a friend of the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger.

The Great Barford registers offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the hundreds of families who formed the backbone of this community. Your ancestors may have been farmers, rivermen, innkeepers, or craftsmen who served the constant traffic crossing the ancient bridge. They may have worked on the estates owned by powerful families like the Whitbreads. These records capture the daily life of a thriving village that was a hub of commerce and travel for centuries.

3. The Parish Registers of Renhold (1602-1812)
Uncover the history of a village with a royal past.

The parish of Renhold is a place of quiet rural beauty, but its history is marked by the remains of a once-mighty Norman castle. These registers chronicle the lives of the families who have lived in this ancient settlement for over two centuries.

Records Included: Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials.
Date Range: 1602 - 1812.
Key Features: Fully indexed transcript, perfect for piecing together family units.
Notable Residents: The Browne Family, Lords of the Manor

For centuries, Renhold was dominated by the Browne family, who were Lords of the Manor from the 16th century onwards. Sir William Browne, who died in 1574, was a significant local figure. The family's influence would have shaped the lives of every resident in the parish, from the tenant farmers to the village artisans.

Within these pages, you can find the records of the people who lived and worked in the shadow of the old castle. Discover the agricultural families who tilled the heavy Bedfordshire clay, the blacksmiths who shod the horses, and the families who saw generations born, married, and laid to rest within the parish. This is your chance to connect with the deep-rooted history of a classic English village and the powerful family who presided over it.