The Parish Registers Of Hove and Preston Sussex Baptisms 1544-1812 Burials 1538-1812 Marriages 1540-1812

Unlock the Secrets of the Sussex Coast: The Parish Registers of Hove & Preston (1544-1812)

Step back in time to an era of salt-laced air, smugglers' coves, and the quiet endurance of the Sussex chalk cliffs. Nestled between the bustling future of Brighton and the serene South Downs, the ancient parishes of Hove and Preston hold centuries of stories. Now, for the first time in a single, meticulously compiled volume, you can access the very fabric of this community's history.

This is not just a list of names; it is the key to unlocking the lives of your ancestors. From the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII through the Georgian era, these records capture the pivotal moments of ordinary and extraordinary lives—the christenings, unions, and final farewells that shaped a coastal community.

A Treasure Trove of Genealogical Data:

Baptisms (1544-1812): Discover the first entries of over 268 years of generations. Find the names of proud parents and godparents, and trace family lines as they grow by the sea.

Burials (1538-1812): Uncover the final resting places of your forebears. These entries, some beginning even before the church mandated record-keeping, offer poignant insights into the hardships and triumphs of life in early modern Sussex.

Marriages (1540-1812): Witness the unions that bound families together. Find the names of brides and grooms, their witnesses, and the banns that were called in the hallowed naves of St. Andrew's, Hove, and St. Peter's, Preston.

Where History Meets Legend: The Soul of Sussex

The registers of Hove and Preston are more than ink on paper; they are a backdrop to the myths and legends that still haunt the Sussex coast. As you trace your family tree, imagine the world they knew:

Whispers of the "Free Traders": The 18th-century coastline was a hotbed of smuggling. The moonlit beaches and hidden cellars of Hove were the domain of daring "free traders" bringing in contraband from France. As you read the names, consider: could your ancestor have been one of these shadowy figures, living a double life by day and a life of illicit adventure by night? The marriage of a local fisherman to an innkeeper's daughter might tell a story far more thrilling than the record reveals.

The Legend of the Hove Angel: In the churchyard of St. Andrew's, Hove, lies a tombstone famed for its beautifully carved angel. Local legend speaks of a tragic love story and a ghostly apparition seen weeping at the grave. As you search the Burial Registers, you may just find the entry for the woman whose memory inspired this enduring and poignant local myth.

Ghosts of Preston Manor: While the parish records speak of the farmers, fishermen, and tradespeople of Preston, the nearby manor house has its own tales. The manor is reputedly haunted by several spirits, including a sobbing woman in a grey dress and a stern-faced former footman. Your ancestors may have worked the land that belonged to the manor's lords or served within its very walls, their lives intertwined with the gentry and their spectral legends.

The Great Storm of 1703: One of the most catastrophic events in British history, the Great Storm of 1703, ravaged the Sussex coast, sinking ships and flattening homes. The Burial Registers from the winter of 1703 bear silent, tragic witness to this disaster. Finding an ancestor buried during this time connects your family history directly to one of England's most dramatic natural calamities.

Who is this for?

The Family Historian: Trace your Sussex roots with primary source data spanning nearly three centuries.
The Local History Enthusiast: Gain unparalleled insight into the social fabric, demographics, and major events that shaped Hove and Preston.
The Descendant of Sussex: Connect with the land and stories of your ancestors, from quiet agricultural life to the whispers of smugglers' intrigue.

Order your copy of The Parish Registers of Hove and Preston, Sussex today and begin your journey into the heart of old Sussex. The names, dates, and legends of your ancestors are waiting.