The Parish Registers Of St Thomas The Martyr Upholland 1600-1735

The Parish Registers of St. Thomas the Martyr, Upholland, 1600-1735: Transcribed, Indexed, and Brought to Life

Unlock the Secrets of Your Ancestors in the Heart of Lancashire
Step back in time to the windswept hills and close-knit community of historic Upholland. For over 135 years, the parishioners of St. Thomas the Martyr walked the same ancient paths, tilled the same soil, and gathered within the same stone walls. Their stories—of love, loss, faith, and family—are not lost to history. They are waiting for you, inked onto the pages of the parish registers.

This meticulously transcribed and fully indexed edition is more than just a collection of names; it is a key that unlocks the door to your Lancastrian heritage. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist breaking down a brick wall or a family historian taking the first steps on your ancestral trail, these registers are an indispensable primary source.

Within these pages, you will discover:

Baptisms (1600-1735): Trace the births of generations, often revealing the names of proud parents and godparents, cementing family ties.
Marriages (1600-1735): Witness the unions that formed the backbone of the community. Find the names of brides and grooms, and sometimes their parish of origin.
Burials (1600-1735): Honour the lives of those who came before. These entries can often provide clues to age, family relationships, and even the cause of death during turbulent times.
More Than Just Names: The Whispers of Upholland's Past

The registers are a chronicle of real lives lived through extraordinary times. The period from 1600 to 1735 covers the English Civil War, the Great Plague, and the Restoration. The names within these pages were witnesses to it all. But beyond the official records, the land of Upholland is steeped in myth and legend, stories that add colour and context to the lives of your ancestors.

Local Myths & Legends of Upholland:

The Phantom Cavalier of Tawd Vale: Local legend speaks of a Royalist officer, fleeing Oliver Cromwell's forces after a skirmish nearby. He was said to have hidden a chest of King's gold somewhere in the dense woods bordering the River Tawd before being captured and executed. His ghost, a desolate figure on horseback, is still said to ride the valley on moonless nights, searching for his lost treasure. Is your ancestor the "stranger buried in haste" recorded in the winter of 1651?

The Curse of St. Thomas's Well: The church is dedicated to St. Thomas à Becket, and a nearby spring was long known as "St. Thomas's Well." Folklore claimed its waters had healing properties, but with a catch: one could only draw water at dawn on St. Thomas's Day. It was said that a greedy landowner, who tried to commercialise the spring in the late 17th century, found it ran dry overnight, and his family fell upon hard times. Look for a sudden cluster of burials from one family around this time—perhaps they fell afoul of the saint's displeasure.

The Boggart of Coppice Brook: Not all legends are grand. Many Lancashire communities spoke of "boggarts"—mischievous spirits or hobgoblins. Upholland was no exception. The Boggart of Coppice Brook was said to steal milking stools, lead travellers astray on the lanes at dusk, and mimic the cries of a baby to lure people out of their cottages. Your ancestors knew these tales, and their world was one where the veil between the mundane and the magical was thin. A baptism recorded for a child named "Thomas" shortly after a series of strange events might have been a parent's plea for protection from the parish's patron saint.

A Quality Edition for the Serious Researcher

This new edition has been crafted with the researcher in mind:

Clear, Readable Transcription: The original faded script has been expertly transcribed into modern typeface for easy reading.
Comprehensive Index: Every name—bride, groom, parent, child, and witness—is cross-referenced in a complete index, saving you hours of searching.
Informative Introduction: Provides historical context about Upholland, the church of St. Thomas the Martyr, and the structure of parish records.

Don't let your ancestors remain just names on a chart. Give them context. Give them a world. Let the echoes of their lives in the shadow of the Lancashire hills resonate through your own story.

Order your copy of The Parish Registers of St. Thomas the Martyr, Upholland, 1600-1735 today and begin your journey into the past!