The Parish Registers Of Stock Harvard Essex 1563-1700

Unlock the Secrets of Your Essex Ancestors: The Parish Registers of Stock, Harlow, Essex (1563-1700)

Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of your forebears with this essential genealogical resource. For over 137 years, the venerable parish church of St. Mary and St. Hugh in Stock, Harlow, meticulously recorded the pivotal moments in the lives of its people. Now, these invaluable records are presented in a single, accessible volume, offering an unparalleled gateway into your family's past.

Spanning from the heart of the Elizabethan era, through the turmoil of the English Civil War, to the dawn of the 18th century, these registers are more than just a list of names—they are the story of a community.

Inside This Volume, You Will Discover:

Baptisms (1563-1700): Find the names of newborns, often with the crucial details of their parents' names and father's occupation, allowing you to link generations.
Marriages (1563-1700): Trace the joining of families and discover the names of brides and grooms, sometimes including their parish of origin.
Burials (1563-1700): Uncover the end-of-life records, providing dates of death and names of the departed, helping to complete family timelines.

These transcriptions, taken directly from the original handwritten entries, are the key to building your family tree for this period, long before the introduction of civil registration in 1837. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist or just beginning your journey, this book provides the primary source data you need to prove lineage and understand the lives of your ancestors in rural Essex.

A Glimpse into History: The Gibbs Family of Stock
While the registers are filled with the names of farmers, tradesmen, and yeomen, they also chronicle the lives of a family of significant historical influence: the Gibbs family.

During the 17th century, Sir Henry Gibbs (c. 1629-1710) served as the Lord of the Manor of Stock. A prominent and wealthy landowner, Sir Henry was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War, and his life was deeply intertwined with the political and social fabric of the nation. Within these very pages, you can find the records of his children's baptisms and other family events. Tracing the Gibbs family through these registers offers a fascinating case study in how the great events of the 17th century impacted a single parish, from the loyalties of the gentry to the simple, sacred acts of family life recorded by the parish priest.

Who is this book for?

Family Historians with roots in Stock, Harlow, or the wider Essex area.
Genealogists researching names and dates from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Local Historians seeking to understand the social structure, population changes, and major events in the parish.

Anyone with a passion for English history and the stories of ordinary people living through extraordinary times.
Don't let your family story remain hidden in the archives. Add this cornerstone of Essex genealogy to your collection and begin your journey of discovery today!