The Parish Registers Of Bolton By Bolland Yorkshire Baptisms & Burials 1558-1812 Marriages 1560-1812

The Parish Registers of Bolton-by-Bolland, Yorkshire (1558-1812) In 2 Volumes

Step back in time, where the winds whisper across the limestone pavements and the stone walls of the Yorkshire Dales have stood guard over centuries of family, faith, and folklore. Within these pages lie the echoes of your ancestors—their moments of joy, sorrow, and commitment, meticulously recorded in the very heart of their community.

This is not just a collection of names and dates. It is the key to the rich tapestry of life in the ancient parish of Bolton-by-Bolland, spanning over 250 years of dramatic history, from the reign of Elizabeth I to the Napoleonic Wars.

What You Will Discover Inside:
This meticulously transcribed and indexed collection provides direct access to the primary source documents of your heritage:


Baptisms (1558-1812): Discover the first chapter of your ancestors' lives. Find the names of children born, their parents, and often the father's occupation, placing your family firmly in the soil of this rugged landscape.

Marriages (1560-1812): Witness the unions that formed the very foundation of families. Uncover the names of brides and grooms, their bonds, and the witnesses who shared their special day.

Burials (1558-1812): Honour the final journey of those who came before. These records provide the names of the departed and their burial dates, offering a poignant conclusion to their stories and helping you trace family lines through generations of loss and remembrance.

Beyond the Names: The Lore of Bolton-by-Bolland
To research in Bolton-by-Bolland is to walk in a land steeped in legend. The names you find in these registers are not just entries; they are the characters from the myths and tales whispered around the hearth for generations. As you trace your family, imagine the world they knew, a world filled with:

The Legend of the Bolland Hound: For centuries, locals have spoken of the phantom hound, a great, black beast with eyes of burning coals that is said to stalk the lonely tracks leading towards Clapham at night. Its chilling howl is not a harbinger of death, but a warning of a great misfortune to befall a family. Could one of your ancestors have been the one to brave the moors after hearing its cry? The burial registers may hold the secret of the tale's origin.

The Tale of St. Bolla's Well: Long before the current church stood, it is said a holy woman named Bolla lived as a hermit in a cave near the village. She was renowned for her healing powers, and a natural spring that emerged from her cave became known as St. Bolla's Well. For centuries, pilgrims visited the well for cures, and it was a local tradition to use its holy water for baptisms to ensure a blessed life. As you find a baptismal record, picture the child being christened with water from this ancient, sacred spring.

The Whispering Stones of the Churchyard: It is a well-known local superstition that on the eve of Midsummer, if you press your ear to the oldest gravestones in the churchyard, you can hear the faint sound of chanting in an old, forgotten tongue. Some say it is the prayer of the first monks who tended the parish; others claim it is the voices of the land itself, speaking of secrets buried deep beneath the Yorkshire soil. The names in the burial register are forever tied to this mystical place.

Who Is This Product For?

The Family Historian: Searching for definitive proof of their ancestors' lives in this corner of Yorkshire.
The Genealogist: Looking to break through brick walls and add branches to their family tree with primary source data.

Descendants of Bolton-by-Bolland: Yearning to connect with the heritage of this unique and historic parish.
Local History Enthusiasts: Fascinated by the real stories and folklore that shaped a community over centuries.

Don't let your Yorkshire heritage remain a mystery. Order your copy of The Parish Registers of Bolton-by-Bolland today and let the voices of the past be heard!