Melplaish Genealogical Records
Melplaish Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Baptisms records for children living in and around Melplaish, detail the names of their parents - their occupations and residence from 1840 to 1906.
Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.
Records of baptism include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.
Original images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.
Melplaish Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Details on those who married at Melplaish between 1840 and 1929. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.
Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1847 and 1937.
Original images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.
Transcripts of marriages in 252 Dorset parishes.
Melplaish Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of Melplaish. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age and residence. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.
Original images of burial registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.
Transcriptions of burials from 234 parishes in Dorset.
An index to over 175,000 burials, including name, age, date of burial and place of burial.
Melplaish Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.
A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.
Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.
Newspapers Covering Melplaish
Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Taunton district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.
Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.
A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.
A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.
A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.
Melplaish Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.
An index to Gloucestershire wills from Bristol and Gloucester Diocese.
An index linked to original images of wills, administrations and inventories proved in Dorset courts. Documents contain much genealogical information.
An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.
Melplaish Immigration & Travel Records
An index linked to original images of documents for vagrants. These records were draw up for poor people who moved to parishes where their presence was unwanted. They contain much genealogical information.
Indentures and other records that recorded the transportation of Dorset men and women to the colonies.
Details of individuals who left Dorset for New England.
A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.
A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.
Melplaish Military Records
An index linked to original images of lists men eligible to serve in the militia. Records may include name, residence, occupation, age, height, marital status, disabilities and family details.
A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.
A list of names found on World War One monuments in Dorset, with some service details.
A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Dorset, with some service details.
A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.
Melplaish Court & Legal Records
Over 60,000 documents relating to prisoners held at Dorchester Prison. The collection includes admission and discharge books and photographs of the latter prisoners.
Documents relating to the licensing of alehouses. Contains details on the proprietor, establishment and conditions of the licence.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
The records document Quarter Session judges’ decisions in matters that include settlement inquiries, highway rates, criminal trials, registers of settlement, orders of removal, bastardy examinations, apprenticeships, licensing, contracts, lists of justices, and other matters related to the business of running the county.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
Melplaish Taxation Records
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.
Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.
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.
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
Melplaish Land & Property Records
A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.
A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.
A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.
Melplaish Directories & Gazetteers
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.
Melplaish Cemeteries
An index to vital details engraved on gravestones and other monuments across the county of Dorset.
An index to inscriptions found on 56,608 gravestones and monuments in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.
An index to inscriptions found on over 11,500 gravestones in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.
Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
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.
Melplaish Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Melplaish Histories & Books
Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and images of churches in Dorset.
Short profiles of Dorsetshire churches, containing photographs and bibliographies.
Melplaish School & Education Records
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Melplaish Occupation & Business Records
A collection of nearly 60,000 documents including crew lists, ship agreements and log books for Dorset. Records may contain information of a sailors birth, life, duties and discipline.
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
Over 3,300 documents relating to bounties offered to farmers by the government to grow hemp & flax.
An article describing the life of labourers in Dorset in the 19th century. Includes details on hiring practices and poverty.
An introduction to smuggling in Dorset & Hampshire.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Melplaish
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Melplaish Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.
Melplaish Church Records
The parish registers of Melplaish are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths. Their records can assist tracing a family as far back as 1840.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
Original images of parish registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
Biographical Directories Covering Melplaish
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.
Melplaish Maps
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.
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.
Melplaish Reference Works
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
MELPLASH is an ecclesiastical parish, re-formed in 1846 out of the parishes of Poorstock and Netherbury (to which it was attached on the dissolution of the former church in the last century), 3 miles south from Beaminster and 3 north from Bridport terminal station on a branch of the Great Western railway, in the Western division of the county, Beaminster hundred and union, Bridport petty sessional division and county court district, rural deanery of Bridport (Beaminster portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. Christ Church is a cruciform building of stone, in the Early Norman style, erected and partly endowed in 1846 by James Bandinel esq. of London: it consists of an apse chancel, nave, north and south transepts, south porch, and massive square central tower, containing 2 bells: there are 300 sittings. The register dates from the year 1846. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £296, net £262, with 26 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of and held since 1881 by the Rev. Samuel Jenkins Johnson M.A. of St. John’s College, Oxford, and F. R. A. S. The vicarage house is situated half a mile south west of the church. The mansion house, called Melplash Court, once a manor, is now a farmhouse belonging to Henry Francis Compton esq. and is occupied by Edward Gapper Legg esq. who farms this estate, together with Coombe Down, Beaminster: it is a large and ancient building: over the chimney piece in the parlour are the royal arms of James I. and over the hall chimney piece are the arms and crest of the Paulets in stucco, with the date 1604, two leopards as supporters, and the motto “Aimez Loyaulte”; adjoining the house at the back is a small building called the “Chapel”: this mansion was anciently the seat of the Mores, a family of note in these parts, at least before the reign of Henry VI. The principal landowner is Henry Francis Compton esq. The soil is rich loam; subsoil, various. The chief crops are wheat, flax and roots. The area is 3,500 acres; the population in 1891 was 412.
Oxbridge, 1 ½ miles south-west, is in this parish; also Losoombe, 2 miles south-east.
National School (mixed), built in 1849, with house for master, is a substantial building close to the church, for 60 children; average attendance, 38.