Bradford Genealogical Records
Bradford Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1558.
A searchable database containing transcriptions of the baptism registers of Bradford. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1637.
A searchable transcript of baptism registers, essentially recording births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.
A searchable database of 2,225,292 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.
Bradford Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Banns registers give details of parties who intended to marry. They record an individual's real parish of residence if they moved to a parish temporarily for the purpose of a marriage.
Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1559.
A transcript of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They are the primary marriage document before 1837. They typically record residence and marital status, though may contain age, father's name and other details.
A searchable database of 1,871,561 records, linked to original images of marriage registers. The records may include fathers' names, age, residence, occupations and more.
Bradford Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They may include the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.
A searchable transcript of burials in the churchyard of Bradford. These records essentially record deaths in and around Bradford between 1635 and 1803.
A searchable transcript of the church's burial registers. They may list the age of the deceased, their residence and occasionally names of relations.
A searchable database of 1,666,144 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.
Bradford Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.
A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.
A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.
Newspapers Covering Bradford
A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.
A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.
A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.
Original images of a regional newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the Devon area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.
A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering regional news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Devon area.
Bradford Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.
An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.
An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.
An index to over 300,000 Devon wills, admons and inventories from 550 sources. Index contains name, abode, occupation, type of document, year of probate, court, notes and document reference.
Bradford Immigration & Travel Records
A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.
A lengthy article detailing the practice of moving the needy poor between parishes. Contains examples of settlements, removals and examinations.
The story of a ship heading to Quebec from Plymouth that sank off the coast of Cornwall, killing 194 passengers. Includes information on the crew, passengers and others connected with the event.
An overview of emigration from north Devon to the Americas, with particulars of some who made the journey.
A calendar of prisoners brought before the quarter sessions, with details of their crime and punishment. Contains entries for individuals who were transported.
Bradford Military Records
Various military lists published in the Exeter Flying Post, particularly lists of deserters, which may list age and physical description.
A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.
A list of names found on World War One monuments in Devon, with some service details.
A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Devon, with some service details.
Names from a presumably predominately Devonian war memorial in the former Bible Christian church at Swansea.
Bradford Court & Legal Records
A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.
An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.
Transcriptions of documents listing those who swore loyalty to King George I after the Jacobite Atterbury Plot.
A calendar of cases to be heard before the quarter session that are indictable by nature,.
Two calendars, one of those licensed to carry out trade and the other those brought before the session for cursing.
Bradford Taxation Records
An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.
Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.
A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.
A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
Bradford Land & Property Records
A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.
Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.
Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.
A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.
Bradford Directories & Gazetteers
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
Bradford Cemeteries
Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Memorials of a select number of headstones in Devon.
Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Bradford Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Bradford Histories & Books
A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.
Numerous articles covering the history of the country, its principle settlements, notable persons, castles and more.
A detailed overview of Devon in 1850, extracted from a directory of that year.
Bradford School & Education Records
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Bradford Occupation & Business Records
Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.
Lists of gamekeepers from the North Devon Journal.
Lists of gamekeepers from the The Western Times.
A series of newspaper articles listing gamekeepers in Devon.
Transcripts of newspaper articles listing the particulars of apprentices who absconded from their master.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Bradford
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Bradford Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Three works compiled from 16th and 17th century sources that record Devon families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.
A list of men found by William Camden to have unsubstantiated claims to coats of arms.
Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Bradford Church Records
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Devon are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.
A series of questionnaires detailing the ecclesiastical predicament of around 250 parishes in Devon.
A transcript of documents recording those who contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
A history of the Bible Christians, a denomination of Methodists, in Devon and Cornwall.
Biographical Directories Covering Bradford
A series of folk tales and detailed biographies of Devonshire men and women.
Biographies of notable Devonians from the Norman period up to the end of the 17th century.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Bradford Maps
Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
Maps delineating fields, forests and other land plots in east Devon. Apportionments not included.
Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.
A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
Bradford Reference Works
A series of articles on Devon surnames, including a dictionary of Devon surname definitions.
A guide to locating Devon wills in light of losses incurred during World War II.
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
BRADFORD is a parish and village, on the river Torridge and intersected by the river Waldon, 2 ½ miles north from Dunsland Cross station on the Okehampton and Bude branch of the London and South Western railway, and 7 east from Holsworthy, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Black Torrington, petty sessional division, union and county court district of Holsworthy, rural deanery of Holsworthy, archdeaconry of Barnstaple and diocese of Exeter. The church of All Saints, a building of stone in the Nortrlan and later styles, consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch, and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing 5 bells; the 1st is dated 1847, the 5th, 1811, and the 3rd, 1831; the 2nd and 4th were re-cast in 1891: there is a beautiful Norman doorway; the tower, which had been injured by lightning, was restored in 1550, as appears by a date on one of its stones: the nave and chancel are Early Decorated: in the church were formerly brasses and inscriptions to the Hengscote and Dabernon families: a large slate slab 6 feet 4 inches long by about 2 feet wide, with crosses at the angles, and probably an altar-stone which sometime lay on the chancel, it is now encased in oak, and forms the top of the communion table: and the north aisle, which is Late Perpendicular, retains a beautiful piscina and a portion of an altar stone, and has two memorial windows to the Dunsland and Bovacott families, and there is another to the Rev. Robert Lewis Bampfield, rector 1885—90, besides tablets of various dates to the Bickford, Maynard, Heysett, Venton, Bovacott and Coham families: in the tower is a stained window, presented by the late J. T. English esq.: carved oak choir stalls were added in 1894 and a carved oak pulpit in 1899 by Mrs. English, in memory of her late husband, J. T. English esq.; a carved oak screen was placed across the tower arch in 1899 by C. M. Saunders esq. J.P. of Bovacott, in memory of his late wife: the church was restored in 1860, and again during 1875—89, when the chancel was rebuilt at a cost of £800: the tower was restored and new pinnacles added in 1891: there are 200 sittings. The register (an unusually early one), dates from the year 1530. The living is a rectory, yearly value £247, including 70 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of Bampfield’s trustees, and held since 1890 by the Rev. Francis Russell-Rawes M.A. of Caius College, Cambridge, and rural dean of Holsworthy. There is a Bible Christian chapel, erected in 1839, and seating 150 persons: attached is a Sunday school and a small burial ground. Miss Bickford bequeathed to this parish a sum of £459, and the interest now (1901) about £13 is equally divided between the poor of this parish and Cookbury. W. Will’s charity of £25 is lost. At Hengistcot, the estate of Earl Stanhope, is a fortified camp, which tradition reports to have been formed by Hengist. Dunsland, mentioned in Domesday, and possessed soon after the Conquest by John Cadiho, from whom it descended through the families of Daubernon, Batten, Arscott and Bickford to that of Coham, is now the property of Mrs. Dickinson, sister of the late W. H. B. Coham esq. of Coham, and in the occupancy of Captain Leonard Paul Irby; the mansion was enlarged in 1609 and retains over one of the windows a quartered shield of the Bickfords, with their alliances, and on either side the arms of Bickford and Parker; over the east entrance is a shield with the coat of Bickford impaling Prideaux; in the church room, redecorated in 1660, are the arms of Bickford impaled with that of Arscott; in the billiard room, which is the old justice hall, are the arms of the different families who have owned Dunsland. Bovacott is the property and residence of Clervaux Morley Saunders esq. J.P. At the entrance of a lane leading to the house is the celebrated “Crooked Oak,” a well-known meeting place of fox hounds, and jealously preserved not only by Mr. Saunders, but by all residents; it is supposed to be over 800 years old and has the reputation of being haunted. The representatives of the late Joseph Thomas English esq. are lords of the manor. The other principal landowners are Earl Stanhope F.S.A., C. M. Saunders esq. Mrs. Coham and John Blyth Coham-Fleming esq. of Coham, Black Torrington. The soil varies much, from good on stone subsoil, to bad on clay. The chief crops are wheat, oats and roots. The area is 4,133 acres of land and 18 of water; rateable value, £1,866; the population in 1901 was 847.
By Local Government Board Order, 14,687, a detached part known as the Western hamlet was added from Black Torrington. March 24, 1884, for civil purposes.
British School (mixed), for Bradford & Cookbury, erected in 1875, for 120 children; average attendance, 82.
Most Common Surnames in Bradford
| Rank | Surname | Incidence | Frequency | Percent of Parent | Rank in Black Torrington Hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilbert | 21 | 1:18 | 3.14% | 148 |
| 2 | Heard | 19 | 1:20 | 2.57% | 126 |
| 3 | Parsons | 13 | 1:29 | 1.08% | 52 |
| 3 | Clemetts | 13 | 1:29 | 37.14% | 2,460 |
| 5 | Crocker | 12 | 1:31 | 1.08% | 64 |
| 5 | Perkin | 12 | 1:31 | 6.63% | 672 |
| 7 | Bailey | 11 | 1:34 | 1.53% | 131 |
| 7 | Piper | 11 | 1:34 | 2.43% | 248 |
| 7 | Sillifant | 11 | 1:34 | 10.78% | 1,107 |
| 10 | Yule | 8 | 1:47 | 66.67% | 4,730 |
| 10 | Pethick | 8 | 1:47 | 6.15% | 905 |
| 10 | Sluggett | 8 | 1:47 | 25.81% | 2,647 |
| 13 | Martin | 7 | 1:54 | 0.26% | 8 |
| 13 | Lane | 7 | 1:54 | 0.84% | 107 |
| 13 | Hearn | 7 | 1:54 | 1.31% | 202 |
| 13 | Cory | 7 | 1:54 | 3.98% | 685 |
| 13 | Braund | 7 | 1:54 | 1.91% | 306 |
| 13 | Hunkin | 7 | 1:54 | 14.29% | 1,932 |
| 13 | Swerton | 7 | 1:54 | 100.00% | 6,891 |
| 20 | Brown | 6 | 1:63 | 0.27% | 12 |
| 20 | Cox | 6 | 1:63 | 0.48% | 47 |
| 20 | Saunders | 6 | 1:63 | 0.59% | 78 |
| 20 | Brook | 6 | 1:63 | 1.43% | 260 |
| 20 | Daniel | 6 | 1:63 | 2.24% | 431 |
| 20 | Bright | 6 | 1:63 | 1.21% | 218 |
| 20 | Ley | 6 | 1:63 | 1.10% | 198 |
| 27 | Taylor | 5 | 1:75 | 0.20% | 9 |
| 27 | May | 5 | 1:75 | 0.37% | 39 |
| 27 | Rowland | 5 | 1:75 | 1.05% | 230 |
| 27 | Jeffery | 5 | 1:75 | 0.52% | 85 |
| 27 | Trick | 5 | 1:75 | 2.73% | 663 |
| 27 | Stidwill | 5 | 1:75 | 16.13% | 2,647 |
| 33 | Hill | 4 | 1:94 | 0.12% | 5 |
| 33 | Tait | 4 | 1:94 | 36.36% | 5,026 |
| 33 | Strong | 4 | 1:94 | 1.58% | 462 |
| 36 | Barrett | 3 | 1:126 | 0.58% | 207 |
| 36 | Short | 3 | 1:126 | 0.28% | 69 |
| 36 | Bray | 3 | 1:126 | 0.47% | 160 |
| 36 | Waller | 3 | 1:126 | 2.94% | 1,107 |
| 36 | Friend | 3 | 1:126 | 0.48% | 163 |
| 36 | Dawe | 3 | 1:126 | 0.44% | 141 |
| 36 | Hole | 3 | 1:126 | 0.64% | 235 |
| 36 | Yeo | 3 | 1:126 | 0.40% | 125 |
| 36 | Hockin | 3 | 1:126 | 1.49% | 592 |
| 36 | Fishleigh | 3 | 1:126 | 4.84% | 1,653 |
| 46 | Lewis | 2 | 1:189 | 0.17% | 57 |
| 46 | Cole | 2 | 1:189 | 0.10% | 13 |
| 46 | Page | 2 | 1:189 | 0.50% | 279 |
| 46 | Sanders | 2 | 1:189 | 0.10% | 14 |
| 46 | Burnett | 2 | 1:189 | 0.70% | 407 |
| 46 | Bowman | 2 | 1:189 | 5.13% | 2,300 |
| 46 | Isaac | 2 | 1:189 | 0.31% | 158 |
| 46 | Brock | 2 | 1:189 | 0.48% | 260 |
| 46 | Symes | 2 | 1:189 | 1.03% | 617 |
| 46 | Montague | 2 | 1:189 | 11.11% | 3,695 |
| 46 | Beare | 2 | 1:189 | 2.50% | 1,375 |
| 46 | Philipps | 2 | 1:189 | 14.29% | 4,290 |
| 46 | Brimacombe | 2 | 1:189 | 1.45% | 853 |
| 46 | Bittler | 2 | 1:189 | 100.00% | 13,160 |
| 46 | Stenlick | 2 | 1:189 | 100.00% | 13,160 |
| 61 | Smith | 1 | 1:377 | 0.03% | 4 |
| 61 | White | 1 | 1:377 | 0.04% | 7 |
| 61 | Wood | 1 | 1:377 | 0.07% | 35 |
| 61 | Ward | 1 | 1:377 | 0.10% | 81 |
| 61 | Clarke | 1 | 1:377 | 0.07% | 34 |
| 61 | James | 1 | 1:377 | 0.08% | 46 |
| 61 | Richards | 1 | 1:377 | 0.04% | 11 |
| 61 | Mills | 1 | 1:377 | 0.12% | 108 |
| 61 | Knight | 1 | 1:377 | 0.09% | 59 |
| 61 | Brooks | 1 | 1:377 | 0.10% | 90 |
| 61 | Bird | 1 | 1:377 | 0.22% | 247 |
| 61 | Sutton | 1 | 1:377 | 0.42% | 491 |
| 61 | Glover | 1 | 1:377 | 0.32% | 365 |
| 61 | Watt | 1 | 1:377 | 4.55% | 3,259 |
| 61 | Horton | 1 | 1:377 | 0.34% | 401 |
| 61 | Earl | 1 | 1:377 | 1.23% | 1,358 |
| 61 | Snowdon | 1 | 1:377 | 4.35% | 3,174 |
| 61 | Smale | 1 | 1:377 | 0.10% | 87 |
| 61 | Badcock | 1 | 1:377 | 0.28% | 312 |
| 61 | Cornwall | 1 | 1:377 | 8.33% | 4,730 |
| 61 | Barrell | 1 | 1:377 | 4.00% | 3,006 |
| 61 | Fulford | 1 | 1:377 | 0.52% | 625 |
| 61 | Dimond | 1 | 1:377 | 0.41% | 478 |
| 61 | Blatchford | 1 | 1:377 | 0.26% | 292 |
| 61 | Allin | 1 | 1:377 | 0.46% | 546 |
| 61 | Congdon | 1 | 1:377 | 0.88% | 1,015 |
| 61 | Seldon | 1 | 1:377 | 0.32% | 367 |
| 61 | Wonnacott | 1 | 1:377 | 0.39% | 457 |
| 61 | Balsdon | 1 | 1:377 | 0.54% | 652 |
| 61 | Curtice | 1 | 1:377 | 0.88% | 1,015 |
| 61 | Base | 1 | 1:377 | 25.00% | 9,849 |
| 61 | Hockridge | 1 | 1:377 | 0.96% | 1,092 |
| 61 | Jacoby | 1 | 1:377 | 100.00% | 15,767 |
| 61 | Rosa | 1 | 1:377 | 100.00% | 15,767 |
| 61 | Hereford | 1 | 1:377 | 25.00% | 9,849 |
| 61 | Jule | 1 | 1:377 | 100.00% | 15,767 |