The Parish Registers Of Marshfield Gloucestershire 1559-1693

The Parish Registers of Marshfield, Gloucestershire, 1559-1693

Step back in time and walk the historical Cotswold lanes of your ancestors.

For any genealogist with roots in Gloucestershire, this meticulously transcribed volume is not just a book—it is a key. It unlocks the daily lives, moments of joy, and passages of sorrow for the people of Marshfield over a remarkable 134-year period. Spanning from the first year of Queen Elizabeth I's reign to the twilight of the Stuart era, these registers are the bedrock of any family history research in this ancient parish.

Within these pages, you will find the original, faithful transcriptions of:

Baptisms (1559-1693): Discover the names of children born, their parents, and their baptismal dates, allowing you to trace entire family lines through generations.
Marriages (1559-1693): Unite family branches by finding the marriage bonds of your ancestors. Discover the names of brides and grooms, marking the beginning of new families.
Burials (1559-1693): Complete the timeline of your ancestors' lives with burial records, often providing poignant details about the end of their journey.
This period covers some of England's most turbulent and transformative years—the Reformation's aftermath, the English Civil War, and the Restoration. The names inscribed here lived through it all. Were your ancestors Royalists or Parliamentarians? Did they witness the changing face of worship? These registers provide the direct evidence to anchor your family story in these monumental events.

A Parish of Notable Connections

Marshfield was more than just a quiet rural village; it was a place of significant historical and intellectual connections. While you search for your own family name, you'll be walking in the footsteps of individuals who shaped national history.

The Locke Family: While the renowned philosopher John Locke (1632-1704), the "Father of Liberalism," was born in nearby Somerset, his family's deep roots were in Marshfield. His father, also named John Locke, served as a clerk to the local Justices of the Peace and had land in the parish. The registers may hold records of the philosopher's aunts, uncles, cousins, and wider family network, providing a unique glimpse into the early life of one of the Enlightenment's greatest thinkers.

The Dodington Family: As the long-standing Lords of the Manor of Marshfield, the Dodington family were central figures in the parish for centuries. During this period, Sir George Dodington (c. 1629-1694) would have been a prominent landowner and local magistrate. The registers would record the baptisms, marriages, and burials of the Dodington family, their servants, and their tenants, offering a fascinating look at the social hierarchy of the time.

Robert Dover's Cotswold Olimpicks: Beginning in the early 17th century, the nearby hills would have echoed with the cheers of the famous Cotswold Olimpick Games, founded by Captain Robert Dover. While the main event was in Chipping Campden, it drew participants and spectators from all over the Cotswolds, including the energetic young men and women of Marshfield. Your ancestors may have been competitors or spectators in these unique celebrations of sport and skill, which included shin-kicking, wrestling, and coursing.