The Parish Registers Of Hanham and Oldland Gloucestershire 1584-1681

The Parish Registers of Hanham and Oldland, Gloucestershire: 1584-1681

Unlock the Door to Your Ancestors' Lives in a Century of Transformation.

Step back in time to the heart of rural Gloucestershire. This meticulously transcribed and indexed volume presents the vital records of the adjacent parishes of Hanham and Oldland, spanning nearly a century of immense social, religious, and political upheaval. From the twilight of the Elizabethan age, through the turmoil of the English Civil War, to the restoration of the monarchy, these pages are the key to discovering your family's story.

For any genealogist with roots in this historic corner of England, bordered by the thriving city of Bristol, these registers are not just a collection of names—they are a direct link to the lives, loves, and losses of your forebears.

What You'll Discover Inside:
Baptisms (1584-1681): Trace the beginning of family lines. Find the names of children, their parents, and often the date of their entry into the parish church.
Marriages (1584-1681): Unite family branches. Discover the names of brides and grooms, witnesses, and the sacred bonds that formed the bedrock of the community.
Burials (1584-1681): Mark the end of a life's journey. Locate the dates of interment, providing crucial endpoints for your research and poignant insights into mortality during the period.
A Complete Index: A comprehensive index of surnames allows for quick and easy searching, making your research efficient and productive.
Why These Registers are Invaluable:
Pre-Census Era: These records are a primary source for family history long before the first national census, capturing the everyday people who history so often forgets.
Dual Parish Coverage: Hanham and Oldland are intrinsically linked. Families frequently moved between them, married across parish boundaries, and had connections that spanned both. This combined volume saves you the time and effort of cross-referencing.

Rich Historical Context: The 17th century was a dramatic time. Your ancestors may have lived through the Siege of Bristol, been impacted by the actions of Royalist or Parliamentarian troops, or witnessed the rise of nonconformist chapels that would later define the region.

A Glimpse into the Lives of the Notable:

While these registers are filled with the names of farmers, weavers, and labourers, they also exist in the shadow of influential figures who shaped the area. Researching in Hanham and Oldland means walking in the footsteps of:

The Whittington Family of Oldland Court: The registers undoubtedly record the life events of the family, servants, and tenants of Sir William Whittington, 1st Baronet (c. 1614-1683). A staunch Royalist, Sir William was a prominent local landowner who fought for the King during the Civil War and later served as a Member of Parliament and a magistrate. Your ancestor may have worked his lands, served in his regiment, or appeared before him in court. The baptisms of his children and the marriages of his wider family would have been major events in the parish, recorded here for posterity.

The Smyth Family of Ashton Court: While their primary estate was in nearby Long Ashton, the powerful Smyth family held significant influence over the manor of Hanham. Their presence loomed large over the parish, and their interactions with local tenants and farmers would have been a defining feature of life in Hanham during this period

Who Should Add This to Their Library?


Genealogists and Family Historians with ancestry in Hanham, Oldland, or the greater Bristol area.
Local Historians seeking to understand the social fabric of 17th-century Gloucestershire.
Students and Academics researching the impact of the English Civil War on a local community.
Anyone with a passion for uncovering the real, human stories hidden within historical documents.