Weare Giffard Genealogical Records

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard Baptisms (1583-1915)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, essentially recording births, but may include residence, father's occupation and more.

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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard Banns (1755-1915)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence.

Weare Giffard Marriages (1584-1837)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details may include residence, marital status, parents' names and witnesses.

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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard Burials (1583-1915)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age.

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.

Weare Giffard 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 Weare Giffard

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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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 Weare Giffard

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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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 Weare Giffard

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.

Weare Giffard 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.

Weare Giffard 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

WEAR GIFFORD is a parish on the river Torridge, 3 ½ miles south from Bideford station on the Torrington branch of the London and South Western railway, 3 north-west from Torrington, in the Northern division of the county, Shebbear hundred, Torrington petty sessional division, union and county court district, rural deanery of Hartland, archdeaconry of Barnstaple and diocese of Exeter. The church of the Holy Trinity is an edifice of stone in the Decorated style, consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, south porch and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing 6 bells, five of which were cast in 1765 by Thomas Bilbie, of Cullompton: the chancel has a fine roof of Perpendicular date: in the north wall of the nave, within two recessed arches, are two recumbent effigies of a cross-legged knight and a lady; the former, placed on a white altar-tomb, is in a suit of mail, with cowl, covered by a cyclas, or long-skirted tunic, and carries a shield and sword; the figure of the lady wears a coronet, and is attired in whimple and flowing robes, covered by a mantle, and at the sides are mutilated figures of angels holding up drapery; these effigies may represent Sir Walter Giffard, lord of this place in 1243, and his wife: there are also memorials to the Fortescues, and a modern brass: the church was thoroughly restored and reseated and a new tenor bell hung in 1869: there are 300 sittings. The register dates from the year 1583. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £118, including 5 ½ acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of Viscount Ebrington, and held since 1891 by the Rev. Stephen Wade M.A. of Balliol College, Oxford. Here are Wesleyan chapels. John Lovering’s charity, amounting to £10 3s. 8d. yearly, is distributed in money. The country is finely wooded and fish are abundant in the river Torridge. Wear Hall, belonging to the Fortescue family, is an interesting structure of the 15th century, consisting of a central block with wings, occupied for some time as a farmhouse, but restored in 1832 by the late Hon. George Fortescue: the embattled gatehouse remains, and the dining hall, a noble apartment, 19ft. by 33ft. has fine carved oak panelling and a beautifully carved oak roof: other portions of the mansion retain similar work and some ancient portraits and tapestry: it is now occupied by His Honor Judge Cecil Hugh Wriothesley Beresford B.A., J.P. judge of Circuit No. 28. This place takes its name from the Giffard family, who held the manor during several centuries: in the reign of Henry VI. it passed by marriage to Martin, son of Sir John Fortescue, Lord High Chancellor, from whom it has descended to its present owner, Earl Fortescue. Viscount Ebrington, who is lord of the manor, the Hon. Mark George Kerr Rolle, and the Rev. Richard Turner M.A. vicar of West Bickleigh, are the chief landowners. The soil is good loam; subsoil, clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. The area is 1,703 acres of land, 2 of water, 20 of tidal water and 12 of foreshore; rateable value, £1,898; the population in 1901 was 299.

National (Endowed) School (mixed), erected in 1860, & having an endowment of £20, invested in Consols, left by John Lovering in 1671; it will hold 80 children; average attendance about 50.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Weare Giffard

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Shebbear Hundred
1Easton131:346.31%578
2Jeffery121:371.24%85
3Davey111:410.55%15
3Parr111:412.65%264
5Isaac101:451.57%158
5Dalling101:4511.63%1,288
5Banbrock101:45100.00%5,368
8Palmer91:500.58%31
8Beer91:500.52%24
8Luxton91:501.19%121
8Easterbrook91:501.72%205
12Short81:560.74%69
12Wise81:566.96%1,006
12Downing81:563.45%501
12Wilton81:564.19%628
12Delbridge81:566.15%905
12Headon81:565.76%843
12Chamming81:5688.89%5,765
19White71:640.26%7
19Martin71:640.26%8
19Clarke71:640.47%34
19Cole71:640.33%13
19Gilbert71:641.05%148
19Mullins71:648.97%1,398
19Parkhouse71:641.52%240
19Gomer71:6415.22%2,022
27Couch61:751.49%275
27Balsdon61:753.24%652
27Peduck61:75100.00%7,664
30Matthews51:890.49%77
30Manning51:890.66%122
30Bright51:891.01%218
30Tuck51:893.85%905
30Squire51:890.56%99
30Smyth51:892.22%526
30Huxtable51:890.76%153
30Pagan51:89100.00%8,667
30Shaddick51:893.31%788
30Nethercott51:895.43%1,219
30Gist51:8915.63%2,606
41Ellis41:1120.21%17
41Lloyd41:1122.70%802
41Gill41:1120.39%75
41Nichols41:1121.24%347
41Shapland41:1121.52%442
41Ashplant41:1125.13%1,398
41Mouse41:11257.14%6,891
48Cooper31:1490.68%253
48Tucker31:1490.08%3
48Fry31:1490.59%212
48Maxwell31:1498.82%2,503
48Lake31:1490.31%84
48Slade31:1490.78%290
48Snell31:1490.24%48
48Burden31:1493.95%1,427
48Hoskin31:1491.09%420
48Copp31:1490.61%219
48Madge31:1490.55%199
48Raymont31:1492.33%916
48Priscott31:1494.17%1,497
48Glidden31:14915.00%3,438
48Ebsary31:14927.27%5,026
63Turner21:2240.12%25
63Knight21:2240.18%59
63Dunn21:2240.23%103
63Bird21:2240.44%247
63Briggs21:2242.33%1,288
63Bond21:2240.20%74
63Lock21:2240.18%65
63Cock21:2241.00%593
63Jewell21:2240.29%142
63Smale21:2240.21%87
63Harriss21:22410.53%3,545
63Yeo21:2240.27%125
63Perkin21:2241.10%672
63Callard21:2240.75%431
63Tout21:2241.56%926
63Prouse21:2240.90%530
63Hugo21:2243.77%1,816
63Fewings21:2240.87%507
63Trace21:2241.34%797
63Sillifant21:2241.96%1,107
63Mounce21:2242.74%1,473
84Jones11:4470.05%18
84Harris11:4470.03%1
84Mitchell11:4470.07%33
84Moore11:4470.06%26
84Phillips11:4470.06%23
84Richardson11:4470.57%685
84Rogers11:4470.08%45
84Fisher11:4470.18%185
84Rowe11:4470.05%16
84Clements11:4470.22%243
84Gale11:4470.15%144
84Johns11:4470.09%55
84Heywood11:4470.35%403
84Piper11:4470.22%248
84Dillon11:4471.92%1,843
84Mallett11:4470.34%395
84Lilly11:4472.86%2,460
84Honey11:4470.49%587
84Hawke11:4470.49%587
84Heal11:4470.29%324
84Warman11:4477.14%4,290
84Drayton11:4473.03%2,557
84Witcombe11:44750.00%13,160
84Rudland11:44716.67%7,664
84Vodden11:4470.75%890
84Hartnoll11:4470.89%1,026
84Upcott11:4472.27%2,107
84Braunton11:4471.69%1,708
84Violet11:44733.33%11,450
84Lagg11:44733.33%11,450
84Jacquot11:447100.00%15,767