Lundy Genealogical Records

Lundy 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.

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.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Lundy 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.

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.

Devon Marriage Index (1754-1837)

Transcriptions of over 270,000 marriages from most parishes in the county.

Devon Banns Registers (1538-1915)

A searchable database of 367,288 records detailing intentions to marry. Includes digital images of the records and may contain information not included in marriage registers.

West Devon Quaker Marriages (1829)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They are the primary source for pre-1837 marriages. They may record the bride and groom's residence, the groom's occupation, parents' names, marital status and witnesses.

Lundy 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.

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.

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.

Lundy 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 Lundy

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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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 Lundy

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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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 Lundy

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.

Lundy 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.

Lundy 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

Very little concerning this island is to be met with in our topographical writers. Camden, among the other British Islands, thus slightly mentions it. "From hence we arrive at Caldey, in British, Inispir, pretty near shore; and over against it, more into the sea, is Londey, which faces Devonshire, being fourteen miles from the promontory of Hartness in that county. This is reckoned the larger of the two, and yet not much above two miles broad, and a mile long, and is so pent in with rocks, that there is no coming to it, but by one or two entrances, Here has formerly been a fort, the ruins of which, as also the remains of St. Helen’s Chapel, are still visible. It has been formerly plowed, as is manifest from the furrows; but now all their gain and profit arise from the sea fowl, with which it abounds. No trees grow in it except stinking elders; to which the starlings flock in such numbers, that no one can hardly come at them for dung. But why do I enlarge upon this, when Sir Thomas Delamere, Knt. has already described it, where he tells us how poor King Edward II. endeavoured to shelter himself here from his troublesome wife, and rebellious barers! ‘ Londey’ says he, ‘ is an island situated in the mouth, of the Severn, about two miles over every way; lull of good pasture, and well stocked with rabbits, pigeons, and starlings, (Alexander Necham calls them Ganymede's birds) which are breeding continually. Though it it encompassed with the sea, yet it affords the inhabitants fresh spring water; and it has only one way to it which is so straight that two men can hardly walk abreast; but on all sides else, the horrible steep rocks make it inaccessible. Our historians scarce mention it, but on the account of William de Marisco, a mischievous pirate, who from hence infested these coasts, in the reign of Henry III.: in Edward the Third’s time, it was a part of the estate of the Lutterels." "The south part of this isle (says the Magna Britannia) is an indifferent good soil, and has a small island, called Lamitor, joining to it, where grows abundance of Sampire; but the north part is more barren, and has a rock standing pyramid-wise," of a great height, called the Constable keeping true centinel. Though it lies so far in the sea, it hath several springs of fresh water, and so nourisheth horse, kine, hogs, and goats, as well as great store of sheep and conies; But their chief commodity is fowl, of which they have great abundance."In former times this island had its proper governor. Sir Ralph Wellington had the custody of it committed to him, and had for his successor, Humphrey de Bohun. In the reign of King Edward III. it was in the possession of the Lutterels, and of late has been subject to the Grenvilles. No venomous worm or beast will live here, no more than in Ireland, to which by that it might seem to appertain." The Castle stands on the south east corner of the Island: by whom, or at what time it was built, is not known.

Having thus given a description of this Island and Castle, as it was to be found in our ancient writers, we insert the following account of it, as related by a gentleman who visited it a few years since.

The island of Lundy, situate in the Bristol Channel, is from north to south above three miles long; but no where quite a mile in breadth. It is very high land, some of the cliffs measuring by estimation 800 feet from the sea. The rock, which is chiefly a moor-stone, is covered with a soil, probably formed from the continual rotting of vegetables. At the south end this stratum is of a reasonable thickness; but towards the north end it is very thin, and is a black, boggy, effete earth mixed with granules of the moor-stone. Some of the rocks, especially near the landing place, are slate, with a mixture of some sandstone. There are many little bays round the island, but none of them are protected from all winds; nor is there any safe landing, except at one, which is on the ease side of the south end, where there is a good beach, leading to a path made by art, up the rock to the dwelling-house or castle. This bay is protected by the island from the south and west winds, and by Rat-Island from the east, but is open to the northeast. It is supposed that the island contains about 2000 acres; about 500 of which, chiefly towards the south end, are tolerably good land, much of the middle inland, and the greater part of the north being rocky and barren. The best part, not having been in a state of cultivation for many years past, is now much overrun with fern and heath, and some furze; but the north end has little besides moss and liverworts to cover the bare rock. There is an immense quantity of rabbits all over the island. In the summer season there is a great resort to it of those species of birds which frequent the Isle of Wight and Flamborough Head, in the winter, of sterlings and woodcocks. Rats are so numerous here as to be very troublesome; they are all of the black sort; the great brown rat, which has extirpated this kind all over England, not having yet found its way into the island of Lundy.

This high rock is by no means destitute of water.— In the south division are St. Helen’s, St. John's, and Parson’s Wells; from the two first of which flow rivulets, discharging themselves down two valleys on the east side of the island. In the middle division there is a spring called Golden Well, and two rivulets towards the north end of this division; one discharging on the east side, and the other on the west, down Punchbowl valley. The north island has no springs, but is very dry and barren.

The ancient buildings on this island are, the castle, near the southeast point; the chapel, dedicated to St. Helen, which was very small and now ruined to the foundations; the remains of a house near St. Helens’s Well; a watchtower near the landing-place, and another at the north end. There are two walls of moor-stone running cross the island: one called South Wall, dividing the south from the middle island; the other Halfway Wall, dividing the north from middle island, and placed about halfway between the south and north ends. Many ruins of old walls are to be seen, which were fences to inclosures, and plainly prove a great part of the island to have been once cultivated.

A family constantly resides here to take care of the island. The castle has large outworks, and was surrounded by a ditch, which may be traced in many parts."In the year 1744 one John Sharp, then upwards of 90 years of age, was living, who had resided in this island 50 years; his father having fled thither for safety with Lord Say and Seale, who for a while held it for the king, having fortified it very strongly. It was at that time computed to contain above 100 inhabitants, who subsisted by summering cattle, and the sale of feathers, skins, and eggs. The rabbits were so numerous, as to be little valued for their skins. The island bore exceeding fine barley, potatoes, and almost every kind of garden-stuff in great abundance. In the reign of William III. till which time they lived in the greatest security, a ship of force pretending to be a Dutchman, and driven into the road by mistaking the Channel, sent a boat on shore, desiring some milk for their captain, who was sick, which the unsuspicious inhabitants granted for several days. At length the crew informed them of their captain’s death; and begged leave, if there was any church or consecrated ground on the island, to deposit his corpse in it, and also requested the favour of all the islanders to be present at the ceremony, which was immediately complied with. Accordingly the coffin was landed, and by the assistance of the inhabitants carried to the grave. They thought it remarkably heavy, yet were without the least suspicion of any hostile intentions.— As soon as they had rested it, they were desired to quit the chapel,; intimating, that the custom of their country for bad foreigners to be spectators of that part of the ceremony which they were then going to perform, but that they should be admitted in a few minutes to see the body interred. They had not waited long without the walls, before the doors were suddenly thrown open, and a body of armed men, furnished from the feigned receptacle of the dead, rushed out, and made them all prisoners. The poor distressed islanders, then soon discovered these pretended Dutchmen were their national enemies the French, and were not a little hurt to find stratagem prevail, where force would have been ineffectual; and the more particularly so, as they had lent assistance to forward their own ruin. The enemy immediately seized 50 horses, 300 goats, 500 sheep, and some bullocks. After reserving what they thought proper for their own use, they hamstringed the remainder of the horses and bullocks, threw the sheep and goats into the sea, and stripped the inhabitants of every valuable even to their cloathes; and so much were they bent on destruction, that a large quantity of meal happening to be in certain lofts, under which was some salt for curing of fish, they scuttled the floor; and so by mixing the meal and salt together, spoiled both.— Thus satiated with plunder and mischief, they threw the guns over the cliffs, and left the island in a most destitute and disconsolate condition." We have mentioned a similar stratagem as having been made use of by some Flemings, in retaking the Island of Sark, as is related by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

LUNDY ISLAND, situated in the Bristol channel, 15 miles north-west from Clovelly, constitutes a parish in the North Western division of the county, petty sessional division, union and county court district of Bideford, hundred of Braunton, rural deanery of Hartland, archdeaconry of Barnstable and diocese of Exeter; it is 3 miles nautical, or nearly 3 ½ statute miles in length, by 1 nautical, or rather more than 1 statute mile in greatest breath, but being very irregular in outline, does not average more than ½ of a mile in breadth, giving an area of about 1,500 acres; the whole, together with the sea surrounding it for 3 miles, from low water mark, is included in the port of Barnstaple; the nearest railway station is Westward Ho. on the Bideford and Westward Ho. Railway, opened in May, 1901; the island is surrounded by lofty and inaccessible rocks, except on the eastern side, where it can be approached only by a very small entrance: on this side is the roadstead, which is much frequented by outward bound vessels and pilot and tug boats, and affords to craft entering or leaving the Bristol channel the only shelter from westerly gales: communication with the mainland is secured by means of a sailing vessel every Thursday from Instow, by which the weekly mails are conveyed, and, during the Rummer months only, a steamer runs from Ilfracombe three or four times a week, as well as occasionally from Barnstaple and Bideford. The steamer “Devonia,” plying between Bideford and Bristol, calls at the island when required. The ancient chapel of St. Helen, with the annexed oratory of St. Anne, traditionally said to have been in use, at least for funeral services, in the reign of William III. has now been for many years a ruin. In 1889 the proprietor and his family erected an iron church, which was opened and licensed by the Bishop of Exeter, and affords 82 sittings: but in 1896—7, a permanent church of local granite was erected on an elevated site, at a cost of over £4,000, from designs by Mr. John Norton F.R.I.B.A, of London, and dedicated, like its predecessor, to St. Helen. It contains a fine reredos, with three marble panels, displaying, in high relief, representations of the “Passover,” the “Scape goat in the Wilderness,” and the “Last Supper”; this work, as well as the pulpit, font and a statue of St. Helen in a niche over the south-west entrance, being executed by Hems and Sons, of Exeter; the entire expense is borne by the rector, who has built the Church as a votive offering. The church, opened June, 1897, affords 164 sittings. No parish registers are known to exist; certainly none have been kept since the Reformation; births and deaths have been registered of late years by the registrar of the Hartland district. The living is a rectory, the patronage belonged in pre-Reformation times to Cleeve Abbey, in Somersetshire, but on the suppression of that house the patronage appears to have lapsed, and no appointment has ever since been made; the glebe, if any, passed to the owner of the island: the incumbency is in the gift of and has been held since 1864 by the Rev. Hudson Grosett Heaven M.A. of Trinity College, Oxford. There is an ancient burial ground attached to the remains of St. Helen's chapel, dating from the 13th century, the freehold of which appears to have passed into the possession of the landowner for the time being, on the suppression of monastic houses. There are no dissenting chapels of any kind. The ancient keep and other remains of Marisco Castle, dating from the time of Henry III. still exist, and there is a lighthouse and fog-signal station.

Two lighthouses have been erected by the Trinity House, one on the north end and the other on the west side of the island: these were completed about 1897.

Lloyd’s have a signal station on the island. Telephonic communication with Barnstaple by day and Appledore by night, has also been established under Post Office control. The night telephone is for special use in case of wrecks and marine disaster requiring prompt assistance. The Rev. H. G. Heaven M.A. is lord of the manor (which retains very full manorial rights) and sole landowner. A handsome mansion was built here by the lata William Hudson Heaven esq. The whole island, with the exception of about 60 acres, is held on lease for a term of 20 years by George John Taylor esq. who resides at Abbotsham Court, Bideford, and visits the island about every month. During the years 1899—1900 a large reservoir has been made for supplying the manor house with water. There is a large and well-appointed boarding-house, where visitors can be boarded “en pension”; terms can be obtained on application to Mrs. Pellman, Manor House, Lundy Island. There are also several cottages and a large luncheon room for visitors to the island, capable of holding 200 persons. There is very good fishing, and lobsters are caught in great quantities by Mr. Thomas, who will supply visitors with any quantity on application. Very good woodcock shooting can be had in winter. Mr. Taylor has arranged to run a steamer to Lundy during June, July, August and September, starting from Ilfracombe, Swansea and Sharpness, enabling visitors to stay on the island several hours. This is the only steamer allowed to land passengers on the island. The island, which is the solo, property of the lord of the manor, is mainly formed of, and is famous for a very hard and durable granite, which furnished supplies for the construction, in 1864—70, of the Thames Embankment. Of the land, only about 200 acres are under cultivation, about 300 acres are maintained as permanent pasture, and the remainder is moorland. The soil is generally light, varying from light reddish loam to very light black sandy peat, overlying a varying subsoil of white and yellow clay or gravel. The chief crops are hay, oats, barley and roots. The island supports about 800 sheep and 100 beasts and horses, and is the nesting-place of millions of sea-birds of many different varieties. The area is about 1,500 acres, according to recent Ordnance survey, but has never been valued, and no rates are either levied or paid; there is 102 acres of foreshore in the parish; population is now (1901) about 25.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Lundy

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Shebbear Hundred
1Tidball101:1813.70%1,473
2Thomas71:250.40%22
2Parsons71:250.58%52
4Davis51:360.38%41
5Ward41:450.40%81
5Blackmore41:450.34%56
5Heaven41:4566.67%7,664
5Whitchurch41:45100.00%9,849
9Smith31:590.09%4
9Lewis31:590.26%57
9Morgan31:590.58%208
9James31:590.24%46
9Hesketh31:59100.00%11,450
14Johnson21:890.33%168
14Maskell21:8925.00%6,268
14Branch21:892.00%1,133
14de Gruchy21:89100.00%13,160
14Dolling21:894.35%2,022
14Vannes21:89100.00%13,160
14de Smet21:89100.00%13,160
21Jones11:1780.05%18
21Williams11:1780.03%2
21Evans11:1780.08%50
21Robinson11:1780.34%381
21Jackson11:1780.23%256
21Morris11:1780.28%314
21Chapman11:1780.18%187
21Foster11:1780.18%195
21Hunt11:1780.12%110
21Graham11:1780.75%884
21Ross11:1780.75%890
21Saunders11:1780.10%78
21Holland11:1780.31%346
21Francis11:1780.48%572
21Morton11:1781.92%1,843
21Nelson11:1781.41%1,509
21Hancock11:1780.12%104
21Townsend11:1780.25%271
21Hay11:1783.85%2,930
21Manning11:1780.13%122
21Bowden11:1780.05%19
21Summers11:1780.37%426
21Ingham11:1784.00%3,006
21Beck11:1781.05%1,184
21McArthur11:1784.35%3,174
21Jeffery11:1780.10%85
21Buck11:1784.76%3,358
21Halliday11:1789.09%5,026
21Leslie11:1783.13%2,606
21Pennington11:1780.58%704
21Cornish11:1780.14%139
21Hume11:1786.25%3,944
21Heard11:1780.14%126
21Rigg11:1789.09%5,026
21Peterson11:1788.33%4,730
21Myles11:178100.00%15,767
21Danks11:178100.00%15,767
21Lowry11:1784.00%3,006
21Cockram11:1780.21%228
21Meyer11:1785.88%3,822
21Boyer11:1783.13%2,606
21Constantine11:178100.00%15,767
21Whitelock11:1781.92%1,843
21Hansen11:17811.11%5,765
21Lightbody11:178100.00%15,767
21Hubert11:17850.00%13,160
21Linden11:17814.29%6,891
21Cockell11:178100.00%15,767
21Martell11:17820.00%8,667
21Le Gresley11:178100.00%15,767
21Cabot11:178100.00%15,767
21Olson11:17825.00%9,849
21Shillabeer11:1780.68%802
21Jensen11:17825.00%9,849
21Screech11:1781.16%1,288
21Matterson11:17825.00%9,849
21Petersen11:17850.00%13,160
21Cregeen11:178100.00%15,767
21Inward11:178100.00%15,767
21Jenking11:17820.00%8,667
21Dollar11:178100.00%15,767
21Rayer11:17825.00%9,849
21Louder11:178100.00%15,767
21de Groot11:178100.00%15,767
21Nilsen11:17850.00%13,160
21Halvorsen11:178100.00%15,767
21Lowenthal11:178100.00%15,767
21Narburgh11:178100.00%15,767
21Philippe11:178100.00%15,767
21Brummer11:178100.00%15,767
21Millford11:17833.33%11,450
21Shillabear11:1786.67%4,095
21Berndt11:178100.00%15,767
21Raoult11:17850.00%13,160
21Arianus11:178100.00%15,767
21Bozzano11:178100.00%15,767
21Landrier11:178100.00%15,767
21Poniard11:178100.00%15,767
21Martinsen11:178100.00%15,767
21Micheloff11:178100.00%15,767
21Sharisi11:178100.00%15,767
21Sornsen11:178100.00%15,767
21Calenge11:178100.00%15,767
21Coroller11:178100.00%15,767
21Wenken11:178100.00%15,767