Branscombe Genealogical Records

Branscombe Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

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.

Branscombe Baptisms (1539-1914)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records detail relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

Devon Baptisms (1444-1915)

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.

Devon Baptism Index (1813-1839)

Transcriptions of over 360,000 baptisms from most parishes in the county. Records include parents name and abode.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Branscombe Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

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.

Branscombe Banns (1760-1914)

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.

Branscombe Marriages (1545-1915)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status and residence.

Branscombe Marriage Index (1545-1817)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1545 and 1817.

Devon Marriages (1446-2002)

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.

Branscombe Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

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.

Branscombe Burials (1578-1915)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.

Devon Burials (1320-1988)

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.

Devon Burials Index (1813-1837)

Transcriptions of over 225,000 burials from most parishes in the county. Induces the deceased's age.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Branscombe Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

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.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

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.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Newspapers Covering Branscombe

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams (1869-1870)

A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (1827-1950)

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.

North Devon Journal (1824-1950)

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.

Branscombe Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

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.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

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.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

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.

Exeter Diocese & Archdeaconry Probate & Admons (1540-1799)

An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.

Devon Probate Index (1190-1980)

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.

Branscombe Immigration & Travel Records

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Settlement & Removal in Rural Devon (1662-1871)

A lengthy article detailing the practice of moving the needy poor between parishes. Contains examples of settlements, removals and examinations.

Sinking of the John (1855)

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.

North Devon Exodus (1818-1868)

An overview of emigration from north Devon to the Americas, with particulars of some who made the journey.

Prisoners in Devon Quarter Sessions (1655-1837)

A calendar of prisoners brought before the quarter sessions, with details of their crime and punishment. Contains entries for individuals who were transported.

Branscombe Military Records

Devon Militia and Volunteer Lists (1799-1825)

Various military lists published in the Exeter Flying Post, particularly lists of deserters, which may list age and physical description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Devon WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Swansea-Devonian War Memorial (1914-1945)

Names from a presumably predominately Devonian war memorial in the former Bible Christian church at Swansea.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

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.

Devon & Exeter Oath Rolls (1723)

Transcriptions of documents listing those who swore loyalty to King George I after the Jacobite Atterbury Plot.

Indictable Offenses in Devon Quarter Sessions (1745-1782)

A calendar of cases to be heard before the quarter session that are indictable by nature,.

Cursers & Badgers in Devon Quarter Sessions (1729-1745)

Two calendars, one of those licensed to carry out trade and the other those brought before the session for cursing.

Branscombe Taxation Records

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

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.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

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.

Branscombe Land & Property Records

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

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.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Branscombe Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1923)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1919)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1914)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1910)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

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.

Branscombe Cemeteries

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Devon Headstones (1780-2000)

Memorials of a select number of headstones in Devon.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

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.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Branscombe Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

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.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

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.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Branscombe Histories & Books

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Magna Britannia: Devonshire (1066-1822)

A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.

The History of Devon (44-Present)

Numerous articles covering the history of the country, its principle settlements, notable persons, castles and more.

Devon in 1850 (1850)

A detailed overview of Devon in 1850, extracted from a directory of that year.

Branscombe School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

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.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

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.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

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.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Branscombe Occupation & Business Records

Women in Cornwall & Devon Mines (1770-1920)

Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1847-1859)

Lists of gamekeepers from the North Devon Journal.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1834-1860)

Lists of gamekeepers from the The Western Times.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1800-1859)

A series of newspaper articles listing gamekeepers in Devon.

Devon Runaway Apprentices (1800-1889)

Transcripts of newspaper articles listing the particulars of apprentices who absconded from their master.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Branscombe

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

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.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Branscombe Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitations of Devon: 1531, 1564 & 1620 (1000-1620)

Three works compiled from 16th and 17th century sources that record Devon families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.

Devonshire Ignobles (1620)

A list of men found by William Camden to have unsubstantiated claims to coats of arms.

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

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.

Branscombe Church Records

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Devon Parish Registers (1754-1839)

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.

Episcopal Visitation Returns (1744-1779)

A series of questionnaires detailing the ecclesiastical predicament of around 250 parishes in Devon.

St Paul's Rebuilding Returns from Devon (1678)

A transcript of documents recording those who contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Westcountry Preachers (1815-1907)

A history of the Bible Christians, a denomination of Methodists, in Devon and Cornwall.

Biographical Directories Covering Branscombe

Devonshire Characters and Strange Events (1550-1904)

A series of folk tales and detailed biographies of Devonshire men and women.

The Worthies of Devon (1066-1700)

Biographies of notable Devonians from the Norman period up to the end of the 17th century.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Branscombe Maps

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

East Devon Tithe Maps (1840)

Maps delineating fields, forests and other land plots in east Devon. Apportionments not included.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Maps of Devon (1563-1922)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Branscombe Reference Works

Devon Surnames (1086-1967)

A series of articles on Devon surnames, including a dictionary of Devon surname definitions.

Locating Devon Wills (1400-Present)

A guide to locating Devon wills in light of losses incurred during World War II.

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Historical Description

BRANSCOMBE is a scattered village and parish on the coast, in a picturesque valley, surrounded by lofty hills, 4 miles south-by-west from Seaton terminal station, 6 east from Sidmouth terminal station (both blanches of the London and South Western railway), and 10 south from Honiton, in the Eastern division of the county, Colyton hundred, Honiton union, petty sessional division and county court district, rural deanery of Ottery and archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter. The church of St. Winifred is a cruciform building of stone, in the Norman and later styles, consisting of chancel, nave, transepts, peculiar as standing to the west of the tower, which is Late Norman, and contains 5 bells: the chancel is Early Decorated: in the north transept are some ancient and curious monuments, including one with small kneeling effigies to Joan (Tregarthin) and her two husbands, John Kelleway esq. and John Wadham of Merrifield esq.: by the latter she was the mother of Nicholas Wadham, the founder in 1610, through his wife, of Wadham College, Oxford: at the back are the figures of 19 children, 14 of the Kelleway and 5 of the Wadham family, and above are the arms of Tregarthin, Kelleway, Wadham and others; the inscription, now obliterated, is given in Prince’s “Worthies,” and shows that she died in Sept. 1581: there are 457 sittings; in the churchyard is a tombstone to Joseph Braddick, d. 1673, an ancient stone coffin, and a atone with incised cross. The register of baptisms dates from the year 1539; marriages, 1545; burials, 1573. The living is a vicarage, net yearly in come £225, with residence and 11 acres of glebe, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, and held since 1872 by the Rev. Robert Swansborough B.A. of Corpus Christi College, Carrybridge. Here is a small Wesleyan chapel. In the neighbourhood are quarries of excellent freestone. Many females are still employed in making the Honiton lace. The Dean and Chapter of Exeter, Henry Ford esq. who is lord of the manor, and C. Langdon esq. are chief landowners. The soil is mixed; the subsoil is limestone and chalk. The crops are wheat, barley, oats and early potatoes, which are grown principally on the slopes of the cliffs facing the sea. The area is 3,429 acres of land and 56 of foreshore; rateable value, £3,356; the population in 1901 was 627.

National School (mixed), built in 1878, for 166 children; average attendance, 104.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Branscombe

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Colyton Hundred
1Bartlett321:263.09%73
2Dowell311:2728.70%1,058
2Pile311:277.62%271
4Gush271:3139.71%1,565
5Perry261:323.19%111
6Perryman251:3310.12%469
7Williams221:380.58%2
8French211:402.72%118
9Farrant191:445.83%345
10Newton181:463.28%192
10Otton181:4640.91%2,107
12Abbott171:493.26%206
12Pike171:491.57%68
14Ward151:561.50%81
14Gill151:561.47%75
14Salter151:561.34%61
17Rendell141:605.76%478
17Selway141:6010.07%843
19Lockyer131:646.22%569
19Loveridge131:648.02%739
21Richards121:690.54%11
21Tucker121:690.34%3
21Northcott121:691.51%113
21Somers121:6927.27%2,107
25Cox111:760.87%47
25Dean111:763.90%414
25Wyatt111:761.40%114
25Parrett111:7637.93%2,729
25Sommers111:7691.67%4,730
25Raffell111:7639.29%2,802
31Tidwell101:83100.00%5,368
32Searle91:930.94%87
32Gosling91:933.69%476
32Power91:939.28%1,163
32Tedbury91:9327.27%2,557
36Lee81:1040.45%21
36Woodrow81:1047.48%1,066
36Selley81:1044.85%733
36Glyde81:10450.00%3,944
40Ford71:1190.43%28
40Collier71:1192.65%442
40Purse71:1199.46%1,466
43Harris61:1390.15%1
43Martin61:1390.23%8
43Ellis61:1390.31%17
43Stevens61:1390.48%49
43Butler61:1392.11%410
43Pratt61:1391.28%234
43Wilkins61:1395.56%1,058
43Bright61:1391.21%218
43Quick61:1390.78%117
52Taylor51:1670.20%9
52Green51:1670.89%186
52Philips51:1672.72%656
52Rundle51:1671.03%224
52Hoad51:16755.56%5,765
52Bromfield51:1675.05%1,141
52Norrish51:1671.92%455
52Loring51:16729.41%3,822
52Broson51:167100.00%8,667
61Dawe41:2080.58%141
61Northcote41:2082.96%874
61Farnden41:208100.00%9,849
61Seawood41:208100.00%9,849
61Statching41:208100.00%9,849
66Collins31:2780.33%93
66Hart31:2780.61%219
66Snell31:2780.24%48
66Coombes31:2780.55%196
66Kerry31:27820.00%4,095
66Eveleigh31:2781.35%530
66Adlam31:27827.27%5,026
66Seaward31:2782.73%1,046
66Sedgley31:27837.50%6,268
66Dommett31:2782.91%1,097
66Holmyard31:27842.86%6,891
77Brown21:4170.09%12
77Clarke21:4170.13%34
77Pearce21:4170.15%43
77Reed21:4170.17%53
77Harding21:4170.19%70
77Summers21:4170.74%426
77Symonds21:4171.46%861
77Burridge21:4170.53%294
77Collin21:4179.52%3,358
77Strang21:41711.11%3,695
77Burrough21:4171.74%1,006
77McEr21:4175.56%2,423
77Croom21:41740.00%8,667
77Goldworthy21:41728.57%6,891
91Miller11:8330.10%80
91Pearson11:8331.15%1,272
91Long11:8330.18%192
91Barton11:8331.19%1,316
91Holloway11:8330.47%551
91Neale11:8330.97%1,097
91Hutchings11:8330.08%51
91Mansfield11:8331.47%1,565
91Ware11:8330.17%178
91Gay11:8330.30%342
91Beale11:8331.28%1,398
91Willey11:8330.57%691
91Land11:8330.98%1,107
91Truman11:8330.78%916
91Chard11:8330.67%797
91Rendall11:8331.43%1,524
91Payton11:83333.33%11,450
91Chown11:8330.36%420
91Jane11:8330.99%1,118
91Aplin11:8330.71%837
91Dunsford11:8330.58%704
91Gayler11:8339.09%5,026
91Wakeley11:8333.33%2,686
91Peyton11:83350.00%13,160
91Minifie11:8335.00%3,438
91Rainy11:833100.00%15,767
91Heare11:833100.00%15,767
91Mozer11:833100.00%15,767