The Parish Registers Of Broseley Shropshire 1570-1700

Unlock the Secrets of Broseley: Your Ancestors in the Heart of the Ironbridge Gorge (1570-1700)

Step back in time to the raw, fiery heart of the Industrial Revolution's dawn. Nestled in the dramatic Severn Gorge, the town of Broseley was a crucible of innovation, faith, and folklore. For over a century, its parish register was the silent witness to every baptism, marriage, and burial, capturing the lives of the ironmasters, colliers, pipemakers, and ordinary folk who forged a new world from Shropshire's iron-rich earth and clay.

Now, this invaluable historical record is available in a meticulously transcribed and indexed edition, offering you an unbroken link to your ancestors who lived through one of England's most transformative periods.

Inside This Volume, You Will Discover:

Complete Transcriptions: Every entry from the original registers for Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials from 1570 to 1700, presented in an easy-to-read format.
A Century of History: Trace your family through the reigns of Elizabeth I, the Stuarts, and the English Civil War. See how national events like the plague and political upheaval left their mark on this small but vital community.
The People of the Forge: Find the names of the pioneers who worked the forges, mined the coal seams, and crafted the famous Broseley clay pipes that were shipped across the globe.
Comprehensive Indexes: Quickly and easily locate your surnames of interest, saving you hours of painstaking research.
More Than Just Names: The Myths and Legends of Broseley

This isn't just a list of names; it's a key to a world steeped in story. The parish registers hint at the lives behind the legends that still echo through the Gorge. As you search for your ancestors, imagine the tales they might have told by the fireside:

The Fire-Spirits of the Forges: Local legend spoke of the Goblin of the Bloomery, a mischievous spirit said to haunt the iron forges at night. When the furnaces glowed an unnatural red and sparks flew into the darkness, the old folk would say the goblin was at work, either helping a worthy smith or playing tricks that would ruin a batch of iron. Did your ancestor work the night shift, perhaps leaving an offering of a small piece of iron to keep the spirit friendly?

The Phantom Smuggler of the Severn: The River Severn was a busy highway, but not all its traffic was legal. The tale of "Black Jack," a shadowy smuggler who used the secluded riverbanks near Broseley to land contraband, was told to frighten children. He was said to have been buried in an unmarked grave after a shootout with customs men on a foggy night. Could you find a "sudden" or "unmarked" burial in the register from the 1680s that might be his?

The Cursed Clay of the Pipemakers: Broseley's clay was the finest in the land, but it came with a price. The legend held that the clay was a gift from an ancient earth spirit, who demanded a tithe. It was said that every generation, one master pipemaker would be driven mad by the "whispers in the clay," seeing visions in the smoke of their own pipes. Look for the families of the Willetts, the Morgans, or the Gibbons—renowned pipemakers whose fortunes and tragedies are all recorded here.

Who Is This Book For?

The Genealogist: Seeking definitive primary source data for Shropshire ancestors from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Local Historian: Eager to understand the social fabric of a key town in the birthplace of industry.
The Descendant: Anyone with the surname Broseley, or roots in Shropshire, feeling the pull of their heritage and wanting to connect with the real people behind the history.
Don't let your ancestors remain just names on a chart. Let them live again. Walk the streets they walked, understand the dangers they faced, and uncover the stories that made them who they were.

Order your copy of The Parish Registers Of Broseley, Shropshire, 1570-1700 today and begin your journey into the heart of your family's past.