Register Of The Church Of Le Carre & Berwick Street 1690-1788

Unlock Your Huguenot Heritage: The Register of The Church of Le Carré & Berwick Street, 1690-1788

Step into the vibrant, candle-lit world of 18th-century Soho. Hear the clatter of silk looms from the attics above, smell the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread from French patisseries, and listen to the whispered prayers of a people building a new life. This is the world your ancestors knew. Now, you can hold their stories in your hands.

We are proud to present a meticulously digitised and annotated edition of the Huguenot Register of The Church of Le Carré & Berwick Street (1690-1788). This is more than a list of names; it is a key that unlocks the door to your family's refuge, resilience, and remarkable contribution to the fabric of London.

What You Will Discover Inside:
This essential genealogical resource provides direct access to primary source records, including:

Baptisms (1690-1788): Discover the names of newborns, their parents, and often their godfathers and godmothers, revealing the tight-knit community bonds.
Marriages (1690-1788): Trace the union of Huguenot families, with details of the bride and groom, witnesses, and sometimes their French parishes of origin.
Burials (1690-1788): Find the final resting places of generations, often with notes on age, occupation, and cause of death, painting a vivid picture of life and loss in the period.
Fully Indexed & Annotated: Our edition includes a comprehensive index of surnames (with original French spellings and common anglicisations) and invaluable historical notes to help you understand the context of your ancestors' lives.

Beyond the Names: A Legacy Woven into Soho's Soul
The names in this register belong to the skilled artisans—silk weavers, clockmakers, silversmiths, and perfumers—who fled religious persecution in France and transformed a patch of London into a thriving hub of enterprise. By tracing your lineage here, you are connecting to a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation that shaped a nation.

Whispers of Soho: Myths & Legends of the Huguenot Community
The streets around Berwick Street are steeped in history, and with history come legends. While you trace your factual family lines, imagine the world they inhabited, a world where these local tales were told and retold:

The Ghost of the Golden Thread: Local legend speaks of a spectral weaver seen on foggy nights in the narrow lanes off Berwick Street. They say it is the spirit of a master Huguenot silk weaver who was betrayed. His ghost is doomed to forever search for his lost "golden thread," a unique and flawless pattern he created just before his death. Some say the pattern was hidden, and its secret is woven into the very fabric of one of the marriages recorded in this register.

The Berwick Street Bolt-Hole: As the story goes, the cellars of the French Church on Berwick Street were not just for storing wine. A secret tunnel, long since bricked up, was said to connect the church crypt to a nearby tavern. It was used as a "bolt-hole" during times of heightened anti-French sentiment, offering a swift escape for parishioners into the labyrinthine Soho streets. Finding an ancestor's name in the register might mean they once walked that clandestine path to safety.

The Cursed Clock of Le Carré: One of the most famed Huguenots of the area was a clockmaker whose creations were marvels of precision. Legend tells he crafted a magnificent clock for the original chapel in Le Carré (The Square). It was said the clock was enchanted: it would keep perfect time, but would stop precisely at the moment a member of the clockmaker's family was in mortal peril. After his own sudden, unexpected death, the clock famously stopped at the exact hour and was never wound again, its silent hands a permanent memorial.

Who Is This For?

The Genealogist: Seeking definitive primary sources to trace Huguenot lineage in London.
The Historian: Researching the social, cultural, and economic impact of the Huguenot diaspora.
The Descendant: Yearning to connect with the personal stories of their refugee ancestors and understand their journey.
The Lover of London: Fascinated by the rich, hidden history of one of its most iconic neighbourhoods.
Don't let your ancestors' stories fade into the Soho fog. Order your copy of the Huguenot Register of The Church of Le Carré & Berwick Street today and begin your journey of discovery.