The Parish Registers Of All Cannings 1578-1837 & Etchilhampton 1634-1812

The Parish Registers Of All Cannings 1578-1837 & Etchilhampton 1634-1812

Unlock the secrets of your Wiltshire ancestors with this meticulously compiled collection of parish records from two of the county's most historic villages. Spanning nearly three centuries of births, marriages, and deaths, these registers provide an invaluable window into the lives of ordinary people during some of England's most transformative periods.

What's Inside
This comprehensive volume contains:

All Cannings Parish Registers (1578-1837): Complete transcriptions of baptisms, marriages, and burials from St. Mary's Church, documenting the village from the Elizabethan era through the Georgian period.

Etchilhampton Parish Registers (1634-1812): Full records from St. Andrew's Church, covering from the reign of Charles I through the Regency period.

Each entry has been carefully transcribed and organized chronologically, with an every-name index to help you quickly locate your ancestors.

Historical Context
Nestled in the heart of Wiltshire's Vale of Pewsey, All Cannings and Etchilhampton have witnessed centuries of English history. These registers capture the impact of the English Civil War, the Agricultural Revolution, and the coming of the Kennet and Avon Canal, which transformed the local economy and landscape.

The records document the lives of agricultural workers, wool merchants, canal workers, and the gentry who shaped this corner of Wiltshire. You'll find families who remained for generations and those who passed through, leaving traces of their lives in these carefully preserved pages.

Local Myths and Legends
The area surrounding All Cannings and Etchilhampton is steeped in fascinating folklore that adds color to the family histories you may uncover:

The Giant of All Cannings: Local legend tells of a giant who once lived on the downs above the village. According to folklore, he created the local landscape with a single stride, and his shadow is said to fall across the churchyard at midsummer's eve. Many local families claimed descent from this mythical figure.

The Etchilhampton Phantom Coach: For centuries, villagers have reported sightings of a ghostly coach drawn by six headless horses that passes along the old road to Devizes on moonless nights. The coach is said to carry the spirit of a nobleman who was executed for treason in the 17th century.

The Hidden Treasure of the Kennet: When the Kennet and Avon Canal was being constructed (completed 1810), workers reportedly discovered an ancient chest filled with Saxon gold near All Cannings. The treasure vanished before authorities could claim it, and local legends suggest it was hidden by the workers' descendants—perhaps some of whom appear in these very registers.

The Witch of Etchilhampton: In the late 17th century, an elderly woman named Agnes Gooding was accused of witchcraft after a series of unusual events befell the village. Though she was eventually acquitted, her descendants remained in the area for generations, and many local families have stories of strange occurrences connected to her lineage.

These registers are particularly valuable for researchers because:

They cover the crucial period before civil registration began in 1837
They include both villages in a single volume, facilitating research for families who moved between these neighboring communities

The period covered includes significant historical events that would have affected local families
The records may reveal connections to the wider Wiltshire area and beyond

Whether you're tracing your family tree, researching local history, or simply fascinated by the lives of ordinary people in centuries past, "The Parish Registers Of All Cannings 1578-1837 & Etchilhampton 1634-1812" offers a unique portal into the past of these historic Wiltshire communities.