The Parish Registers Of Colton In Furness Fells Lancashire 1623-1812

Unlock Your Furness Fells Heritage: The Parish Registers of Colton, 1623-1812
Step into a world where history and legend intertwine, hidden deep within the rugged beauty of the Lancashire Fells.

Beneath the shadow of the Coniston Fells and shrouded in the mist that rises from the Crake Water, lies the ancient parish of Colton. For nearly two centuries, from the reign of James I to the Regency era, the lives of its people were faithfully recorded in the parish register. Now, this meticulously transcribed and annotated volume offers you the key to unlock that world.

This is more than a list of names; it is a gateway to the lives of your forebears. Within these pages, you will find the stark, beautiful, and sometimes poignant entries of:

Baptisms (1623-1812): Discover the first recorded moments of your ancestors' lives, from the children of sheep farmers to the families of local artisans.
Marriages (1623-1812): Trace the unions that bound families and forged the community, through times of hardship and celebration.
Burials (1623-1812): Honour the final resting place of generations, their stories a testament to the resilience required to live in this demanding but beautiful landscape.

Beyond the Register: A Land of Myth and Legend

But the story of Colton is not just written in ink; it's etched into the very stones and fells. Your ancestors did not live in a vacuum. They inhabited a world alive with folklore, where the line between the seen and unseen was as thin as the morning mist. As you trace your family line, imagine the stories they told by the hearth fire:

The Phantom Hound of Colston Crag: For centuries, locals have spoken in hushed tones of a great, spectral hound with eyes of burning coals that patrols the crags above the village. Legend says it is the spirit of a medieval lord, eternally searching for a lost treasure buried in a fell-side cave. Did your ancestors hear its mournful howl on a winter's night?

The Piskie Hoard of Torver: The mischievous piskies (or fairies) were believed to hoard silver and ancient relics, stolen from unwary travellers. The greatest of these was said to be the "Piskie Hoard of Torver," a treasure guarded by a riddle that could only be solved by a true native of the Fells. Perhaps one of your ancestors was the keeper of such a secret!

The Witch of the Wythop Burn: In the late 17th century, the registers hint at a period of fear and suspicion. Local legend tells of an old woman who lived by the Wythop Burn, skilled in herbal lore, who was accused of witchcraft after a local landowner's prize cattle fell ill. Her name may be recorded here, a stark reminder of the superstitions that shaped your ancestors' lives.

Who Is This Book For?

The Family Historian: Tracing a lineage that leads to this corner of Lancashire? This is your primary source document, an indispensable tool for building your family tree.
The Local Historian: Understand the social fabric of Colton, track population changes, and see the impact of national events on a small, rural community.
Descendants of Colton: Wherever you are in the world, connect with the land and the people from whom you descend. Feel the pull of home.