The Parish Registers Of All Saints Pavement York Baptisms 1554-1738 Burials1554-1735 Marriages 1555-1738 Burials In The Church 1643-1792

The Parish Registers of All Saint's Pavement, York In 2 Volumes

Unlock the Secrets of Your Ancestors in the Heart of Medieval York

Step through the ancient streets of York and into the shadow of the famous lantern-towered church of All Saints' Pavement. For centuries, this sacred space has been the spiritual home to merchants, soldiers, craftsmen, and families who lived, loved, and died within the city's protective walls. Now, for the first time in a single, meticulously compiled volume, their stories are yours to discover.

This essential genealogical resource provides a direct, unbroken link to the lives of your York ancestors, spanning nearly two and a half centuries of dramatic history. From the reign of Mary I through the English Civil War and into the Georgian age, the names recorded here are the names that built a city.

Inside, you will find:

Baptisms (1554-1738): Trace the beginnings of family lines. Discover the names of children born during the plagues, the conflicts of the Civil War, and the city's subsequent rebuilding.

Marriages (1555-1738): Follow the unions that formed the very fabric of York's society. Find the joining of prominent guild families and the simple vows of everyday citizens.

Burials (1554-1735): Uncover the final resting places of generations. These records are a poignant reminder of lives lived and lost, often in times of great hardship.

Burials in the Church (1643-1792): A rare and invaluable register! Discover the individuals of such wealth, stature, or importance that they were granted the ultimate honour of being interred within the church itself, beneath the very flagstones your ancestors may have knelt on.

More Than Just Names: A Journey into York's Haunted History

All Saints' Pavement is not just a church; it is a landmark steeped in legend. As you trace your family names, you will also walk in the footsteps of myth and folklore. Imagine your ancestor, a merchant in the 16th century, looking up at the church's iconic octagonal lantern.

The Lantern of the Living and the Dead: For centuries, it was believed this lantern was not merely to guide late-night travellers to the market on the Pavement, but to act as a beacon for lost souls, drawing them safely from the winding, treacherous alleyways (or "snickelways") of York. Did your ancestors feel its comforting glow?

The Ghostly Organist: Legend tells of a spectral organist, most often identified as the renowned 18th-century musician John Camidge, whose spirit is said to forever haunt the organ loft. On quiet nights, some claim they can still hear the faint echo of celestial music drifting from the church, a ghostly rehearsal for a concert that never ends.

The Shadow of the Headless Earl: The church stands ominously close to the site where the rebellious Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland, was executed in 1572. His head, spiked on Micklegate Bar, became a grim landmark for years. As you search the burial records from this period, you are touching the very paper that recorded the burials of a city living in fear and awe of such brutal events. Did one of your ancestors witness his final moments? Or perhaps tend to his unmarked grave?

Who is this book for?

Family Historians with roots in York, seeking to build their family tree with primary source documents.
Local Historians wanting to understand the social fabric of one of England's most important cities.
Anyone with a connection to Yorkshire wishing to explore the rich tapestry of the region's past.
Writers and Researchers looking for authentic details and atmospheric inspiration from the heart of old England.
Don't just read about history. Hold it in your hands. The Parish Registers of All Saint's Pavement, York is more than a book; it is a key. A key that unlocks the church door, lets you walk among the ghosts of your ancestors, and brings the vibrant, haunted, and wonderful history of your family's past to life.

Begin your journey into the heart of York today.