Beckenham Genealogical Records

Beckenham 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.

Congregational Church, Beckenham Baptism Records (1879-1906)

Images of a non-conformist baptism register, searchable by a name index. These records provide proof of parentage, residence and occupations for those outside the CoE.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Kent PR Index (1538-1870)

An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.

Beckenham 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.

Canterbury Diocese Marriage Licences (1751-1837)

Abstracts of marriages licences granted by the Diocese of Canterbury. These records can contain more details than marriage records, including details such as age, occupation, residence and names of parents or guardians.

Vicar General’s Office Marriage Licences (1600-1679)

Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.

Canterbury Diocese Marriage Licenses (1568-1750)

Abstracts of records that granted parties the right to marry. They list name, marital condition, residence, year of licence and a reference to order the original document. Coverage is for: 1568-1618, 1661-1700 and 1726-1750.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Beckenham 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.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Kent PR Index (1538-1870)

An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.

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.

Beckenham 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.

Kent Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Kent Register of Electors (1570-1907)

Browsable images of Kent electoral rolls poll books, which list those eligible to vote as well as lists of freemen, apprentices, burgess records and militia musters.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 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.

Newspapers Covering Beckenham

South London Press (1867)

A local paper including news from the London area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

Shoreditch Observer (1857-1867)

A local paper including news from the Shoreditch area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

London Standard (1827-1900)

Original images of a local newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the London area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.

Kent & Sussex Courier (1873-1939)

A conservative-oriented newspaper reporting on local news, births, marriages and deaths in the two counties.

Kent & Sussex Courier (1873-1950)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the counties of Kent and Sussex. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Beckenham 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.

Wills & Admons at Canterbury Probate Registry (1396-1650)

An index to probates and administrations held at Canterbury Probate Registry. Contains details on the testator, type of grant, residence, occupation and reference to order the original.

Tyler's Index to Kent Wills (1460-1882)

Abstracts and references to 10,000s of wills and probate documents, primarily from East Kent.

Diocese of Rochester Wills and Probate (1662-1784)

Browsable images of inventories. Also includes freeman papers for Queenborough.

Archdeaconry of Rochester Wills and Probate (1635-1857)

Browsable images of administrations, inventories and wills.

Beckenham Immigration & Travel Records

Prisoners Transported from Kent (1851-1852)

A small list of convicts transported to the colonies.

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

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.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

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.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

Beckenham Military Records

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (1914-1920)

A great deal of information relating to the regiment, including a thorough history, biographical details, photographs, information on honours etc.

West Kent Queen's Own Yeomanry (1794-1909)

A general history of the yeomanry, including extracts from original records

Victoria County History of Kent, Vol. 3 (43-1900)

A volume from the most respected work concerning English history. It covers military history, country houses, industry, roads and a transcription of Domesday entries relating to Kent.

QORWKR Battalion Orders (1914-1916)

A finding aid for records detailing orders relating to ordinary rank men in the Royal West Kent Regiment.

Kent Voluntary Aid Detachments (1914-1918)

Details of voluntary aid workers in Kent during WWI.

Kentish Prison Hulk Registers (1811-1843)

Registers recording details of around 9,000 prisoners held in ships stationed in Kent. Records describe a convict's name, age, place of birth, physical description, offence, conviction, sentence, discharge and conduct report.

Kent Workhouse Records (1777-1911)

Over 70,000 browsable pages detailing the administration of poor law unions in Kent. Records contain details on births, marriages & deaths; punishments; admissions and discharges and more.

Kent Quarter Sessions Index (1657-1804)

A name index to 1,000s of people mentioned in legal records relating to crime and administration. The records include settlements, removals and bastardy orders.

Kent Quarter Sessions & Court Files (1558-1899)

Legal records covering a variety of issues from land to bastardy.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Beckenham Taxation Records

Poll Book for the County of Kent (1832)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Kent Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Kent Land Tax Assessments (1689-1832)

Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.

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.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

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.

Beckenham Land & Property Records

Poll Book for the County of Kent (1832)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Kent Land Tax Assessments (1689-1832)

Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.

Kent Register of Electors (1570-1907)

Browsable images of Kent electoral rolls poll books, which list those eligible to vote as well as lists of freemen, apprentices, burgess records and militia musters.

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.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

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.

Beckenham Directories & Gazetteers

Pike's Weald of Kent & Romney Marsh Directory (1884-1885)

A gazetteer and directory of part of Kent.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1938)

A directory of settlements in Kent detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1938)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1934)

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 Kent (1930)

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.

Beckenham Cemeteries

Kent Monumental Inscriptions (1500-1920)

Transcriptions of thousands of memorials and headstones found in Kent.

Kent Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

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.

Beckenham 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.

Beckenham Histories & Books

History & Topographical Survey of Kent (1189-1801)

A sprawling work containing a detailed history of the county and each parish.

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Victoria County History of Kent, Vol. 3 (43-1900)

A volume from the most respected work concerning English history. It covers military history, country houses, industry, roads and a transcription of Domesday entries relating to Kent.

Kent Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Kent.

Kent Church Photographs (1851-Present)

Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.

Beckenham 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.

Beckenham Occupation & Business Records

Canterbury Teaching and Medical Licences (1568-1646)

A calendar to licences granted by Diocese of Canterbury to teachers, physicians and apothecaries.

Smuggling in Kent (1697-1830)

Articles detailing several smuggling gangs that operated in the county.

Smuggling on the South East Coast (1675-1871)

An introduction to smuggling in on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Kent Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Kent pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Beckenham

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Kent Families (1066-1840)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Tyler's Kent Families (1500-1900)

A collection of pedigrees, family notes and historical extracts relating to Kent and its families.

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.

Beckenham Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Kent Families (1066-1840)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Kent Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Kent'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.

Beckenham Church Records

Visitations of the Archdeacon of Canterbury (1557-1679)

Extracts relating to the ecclesiastical history of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury.

Kent Church Photographs (1851-Present)

Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Biographical Directories Covering Beckenham

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.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

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.

Beckenham Maps

Maps of London & The Vicinity (1940)

Detailed maps of London and 125 other places in the vicinity.

James Wyld's Map of London and Environs (1872)

A map charting London and 25 miles round.

Maps of Kent (1522-1922)

Digital images of 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.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Beckenham Reference Works

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.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

The parish church of Beckenham, a village about two miles westward from Bromley, is supposed to have been chiefly built in the reign of Edward III. It contains numerous monuments and memorials, several of which have considerable interest. In the Churchyard is, buried Edward King, Esq. the learned author of "Munimenta Antiqua," and other antiquarian works.

The hamlet of Sydenham, about one mile northwest from Beckenham, has considerably increased in its population and prosperity, through the discovery of a medicinal cathartic water. These cathartic springs are numerous, but have all been diverted to the same well. They were discovered in 1640, and nearly resemble in quality those of Epsom.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BECKENHAM is a large parish, with railway stations, situated at the head of the Ravensbourne, 10 miles from London and 2 north-west from Bromley, in the Western division of the county, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, Bromley and Beckenham hundred, Bromley petty sessional division, union and county court district, West Dartford rural deanery, Maidstone archdeaconry, Canterbury diocese, and is within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police. The South Eastern and Chatham railway have a junction station at Beckenham, and stations at New Beckenham, Clock House, Eden Park, and Elmers End. Kent House station was opened here in 1884. There is a station in Beckenham road on the London, Brighton and South Coast railway. The parish was governed by a Local Board of 15 members, formed in 1878, but under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73) it is now controlled by an Urban District Council, and is lighted with electric light and gas by the Crystal Palace and Bromley Gas companies, and supplied with water by the Lambeth and Kent Water companies. The church of St. George, rebuilt in 1886, at a cost of about £16,000, on the same site, though on an enlarged scale, is an edifice of Kentish ragstone, in the late Decorated style, from designs by Mr. W. G. Bartleet F.R.I.B.A, architect, of London: most of the windows are stained: the chancel has a credence, sedilia, an aumbry, and a wall of alabaster: the fittings are of carved oak and the Cator chapel has also a communion table and Teredos of carved oak, and an ancient piscina removed from the old building: there are some monuments to the Style, Raymond, Burrell, Vansittart, Clarke, Lambton and Eden families: a brass to Margaret, wife of Sir William Damsell kt. d. 1563; and mural tablets to Captain Hedley Vicars, 97th (Royal West Kent) Regiment, who fell at Sebastopol; and to Dr. William Marsh, late vicar of Beddington: the church holds 1,150 persons. In the churchyard, beneath a sarcophagus, lies buried Edward King F.R.S., P.Soc.Antiq. author of “Munimenta Antiqua,” and some monographs on the Antiquities of Oxford, d. April 16, 1807; the entrance to the churchyard is by a picturesque lych gate, whence an avenue of clipped yews leads to the south porch: the church has 8 bells. The church and churchyard were wholly closed to interments, with certain exceptions, in Aug. 1892. The register dates from the year 1538, and under date of October 24, 1740, has an entry of the burial of Margaret Finch, queen of the gipsies, aged 109. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £500, with residence, in the gift of Albemarle Cator esq. and held since 1885 by the Rev. Henry Arnott, of the University of London and F.R.C.S.Eng. St. James’s, ELMERS END, erected in 1879 as a chapel of ease to the parish church, is a large building of red brick in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel and nave, and has sittings for 200 persons, all free; the Rev. Walter Ernest Clarke Partridge B.A. has been curate in charge since 1901. St. Paul’s is an ecclesiastical parish, formed June 28, 1872; the church, situated near the New Beckenham railway station, is a stone building in the Early English style, and has a western tower with fine spire containing a striking clock and one bell: all the windows are stamed, and there are 1,160 sittings, 330 being free. The register dates from the year 1872. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value chiefly from pew rents £800, in the gift of Albemarle Cator esq. and held since 1902 by the Rev. Joseph Hammond LL.B., B.A. of London University. Holy Trinity is an ecclesiastical parish, formed August 30, 1878; the church, situated in Penge lane, and consecrated 1878, is a building of Kentish rag with white stone dressings, in the Early English style, and has a western tower, added in 1883, and containing one bell: all the windows are stained: there are about 950 sittings, of which 600 are free, the remaining 350 being rented. The register dates from the year 1878. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £410, in the gift of trustees, and held since 1878 by the Rev. Walter Joseph Latham. Christ Church is an ecclesiastical parish, formed August 27, 1878; the church is a building of brick, with Bath stone dressings and columns of shap granite, in the Gothic style, and was erected partly at the cost of and on a site given by C. Lea Wilson esq. J.P. of the Cedars, Beckenham; and consecrated on May 20, 1876; it has a western tower with spire containing one bell: the organ was the gift of Mrs. C. Lea Wilson: there are 750 sittings, 100 being free: adjoining are two lecture halls, seating 300 persons and also a Sunday school. The register dates from the year 1876. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £560, in the gift of trustees, and held since 1897 by the Rev. John Rooker, jun. M.A. of Queen’s College, Cambridge. St. Michael and All Angels, with an iron nave, opened in 1877, on the Birkbeck estate, has 300 sittings; the Rev. Alexander Nenon Armstrong B.A. of St. Mary’s Hall, Oxford, has been curate in charge since 1900. St. Barnabas is an ecclesiastical parish, formed in 1877: the foundation of a permanent church was laid June 11, 1878, but only the chancel, erected in 1885, and half the nave, has been built, and affords 400 sittings; there is also a parish room in the Bromley road capable of seating 200 persons. The register dates from the year 1877. The living is a perpetual curacy, net yearly value £180, in the gift of Keble College, Oxford, and held since 1881 by the Rev. George Octavius Fletcher Griffith B.A. of Pembroke College, Cambridge. The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and S. Benedict, in Overbury avenue, was erected in 1891: there is a Baptist, built in 1884, with 460 sittings, a Congregational chapel, Crescent road, erected in 1878 to seat 600, and a Wesleyan chapel. The Abbey School, established in 1866, is a high-class school, principally preparatory to the public schools, and has a playground and cricket field, gymnasium, workshops and swimming bath; principal, Rev. H. Ernest Hill M.A., F.R.Hist.S. with eight resident masters. There is a Technical Institute in the Beckenham road. The Public Hall, Bromley road, the foundation stone of which was laid on Saturday, October 13, 1883, was opened in July, 1884, and is an edifice of red brick with a bell turret containing one large bell, and was erected at a cost of £7,000 from designs by Mr. Vigers, architect; there is a large room seating 500 persons, and a smaller one seating 200, both of which are let for concerts and other entertainments: a local lodge of Freemasons and the Beckenham Conservative Club hold their meetings here. The Urban District Fire Brigade has premises in the Bromley road. There are Public Baths in the Beckenham road. Here are branches of the London and County Banking Co. Lim. the London Provincial Bank Lim. and the London City and Midland Bank Lim. The L Company of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiments have head quarters at 58 High street. There are three almshouses in Bromley road, erected in 1694, by Anthony Rawlins esq. of Beckenham, for three poor widows, each of whom receives 7s. weekly: since the revision of all the charities by the Charity Commissioners in 1880 the customary gifts of coals and bread have not been bestowed. The Cottage Hospital, Croydon road, was established in 1872, and in 1888 the freehold was purchased by means of a special fund, in commemoration of the Jubilee of H.M. the late Queen Victoria; the hospital has since been enlarged so as to contain 30 beds, and has an average of about 120 patients; its affairs are managed by a committee. The Provident Dispensary, Bromley road, was established in 1888. The Old Beckenham Mission, inaugurated about 1879, at Chancery lane, Beckenham, has been removed to a more commodious building in the Bromley road, erected for the combined purposes of mission work and as a coffee, house: the chief founder of this mission was Captain P. W. Stephens R.N. who died in 1882 while holding a commission on H.M.S. “Thetis,” on the South Pacific station: the Stephens Hall, dedicated to his memory, contains a memorial brass to him and to Mr. Roddam Tate, an aged and respected promoter of the mission: the Young Men’s Christian Association hold their services in this hall. The Arthur Road Mission, established about 1876, has now a permanent building; the work is of a purely Evangelical character. All Saints’ Mission House is in Beckenham road. Beckenham Charitable Society was established in March, 1876, for the relief of the necessitous and deserving poor, and its affairs are managed by a committee of ladies and gentlemen, residents of Beckenham. The King William IV. Naval Asylum, Penge lane (Penge parish), was built and endowed by Queen Adelaide, for 12 widows of meritorious naval officers, as a memorial of King William IV. The local Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society holds a show every year. The Beckenham Conservative Club is in High street. There are several fine residences, including Beckenham Park, Langley Park and Eden Park, and many good houses. Albemarle Cator esq. of Woodbastwick Hall, Norwich, who is lord of the manor, C. E. Croodhart esq. of Langley Park, Cornelius Lea Wilson esq. J.P. of The Cedars, and C. A. R. Hoare and Frederick Lloyd esqs. are chief landowners. The soil is sand and gravel, with clay on elevated spots; subsoil, sand and clay. The crops are wheat, oats, barley and roots. The area is 3,871 acres of land and 12 of water; rateable value, £235,202; the population in 1881 was 13,045; in 1891, 20,707, and in 1901, 26,331, viz.:— Coper’s Cope Ward, 2,795; Eden Park Ward, 3,382; Kent House Ward, 4,977; Langley Park Ward, 1,753; Laurie Park Ward, 6,727; Manor House Ward, 4,922; Shortlands Ward, 1,775.

The population of the ecclesiastical parishes in 1901 was:-St. George (parish church), 11,750; Christ Church, 1,582; Holy Trinity, Penge Lane, 8,108; St. Barnabas, 1,314; St. Paul, New Beckenham, 1,371.

Kelsey Manor is now used as a private school for girls; a chapel, dedicated to St. Agatha, is attached to the mansion.

Clay Hill is half a mile east.

Langley, 2 miles south; Eden, half a mile south; Fox Grove, a quarter of a mile north-east. Part of Lower Sydenham is also in this parish.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services

St. George’s Parish Church, Rev. Henry Arnott F.R.C.S, rector; 7, 8, 10.30 & 11.40 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; daily, 7.30 & 10 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.

Christ Church, Rev. John Rooker, jun. M.A. vicar; Rev. Alfred James Smith B.A. curate; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; fri.12 a.m.

Holy Trinity, Rev. Walter Joseph Latham, vicar; Rev. William Yorke Batley B.A. curate; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3.15 & 7 p.m.; wed. 8 p.m.

St. Paul’s Church, Rev. Joseph Hammond LL.B., B.A. vicar; Rev. G. W. Hume M.A. curate; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3.30 & 6.30 p.m.; daily, 8 a.m. & 5.15 p.m.

St. Barnabas, Rev. George Octavius Fletcher Griffith B.A. incumbent; 8 & 11.15 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; daily, 7.30 & 8 a.m. alternately, & 5.30 p.m.

St. Michael & All Angels, Ravenscroft road, Rev. Alex. Nenon Armstrong B.A. curate-in-charge; 8, 10.30 & 11.40 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; daily, 7.15 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.; wed. 8 p.m.

St. James’ Chapel of Ease, Rev. Walter Ernest Clarke Partridge B.A. curate in charge; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3.45 & 7 p.m.; daily, morning & evening.

St. George’s Chapel of Ease, Arthur road, Rev. A. J. McM. Dutton, in charge; 10 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.

Church of the Transfiguration & S. Benedict, Overbury avenue, Rev. William Alton, priest; 8.30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Baptist, Elm road, Rev. R. Stewart Fleming M.A. 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; thurs. 7.45 p.m.

Congregational, Crescent road, Oak. hill, Rev. T. Eynon Davies, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; thurs. 8 p.m.

Congregational, Penge road; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, Langley road, Elmers End, Rev. Joseph Wardle; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Bromley road, Rev. Walter Ainsworth; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. 7.15 p.m.

Old Beckenham Mission, Brdmley road, George Gatton L.C.M. resident missionary; 8 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; thurs. 7.45 p.m.

Mission Hall, Parish lane; 7 p.m.

SCHOOLS

A School Board of 9 members was formed July 17, 1875; Edgar Corbridge, School Board offices, 8 The Parade, clerk to the board; James Clarke & W. Webb, attendance officers; Edward Cole, treasurer, London & County Bank.

Board Schools, Alexandra District:—

Parish lane, completed 1879, with the exception of the west wing, added in 1884; it will hold 340 boys, 340 girls & 400 infants; average attendance, 310 boys, 290 girls & 400 infants; William Goodman, master; Miss. A. Paton, mistress; Miss R. L. Badcock, infants’ mist.

Arthur road; H. Dixon, master; Miss Collier, mistress; Miss Cooper, infants' mistress.

Bromley road, erected 1818, enlarged 1857, with residence attached for master & mistress; boys’ room will hold 245, No. on books 260, average attendance 220; girls' room will hold 208, No. on books 210, average attendance 175; infants 233, average attendance 200.

National School (mixed), Elmers End; Ellis Albert Short, master; Mrs. Lucie Short, mistress; Miss Land, infants’ mistress.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1903)

Most Common Surnames in Beckenham

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Bromley and Beckenham Hundred
1Smith2211:591.50%1
2Brown1181:1112.01%2
3Wilson731:1802.68%16
4Cooper721:1822.80%21
4n721:18243.37%1,030
6White691:1901.76%8
7Jones681:1931.62%7
8Turner651:2022.19%15
9Green611:2152.65%28
10Clark601:2181.85%13
11King591:2221.69%11
11Carter591:2222.83%36
13Wright561:2342.40%26
14Dennis551:23813.75%413
15Knight521:2522.24%27
16Williams511:2571.39%9
16Walker511:2572.87%51
18Hill501:2623.16%64
19Taylor481:2730.90%3
19Bailey481:2732.67%46
21Wood461:2850.90%5
21Stevens461:2852.05%29
23Phillips441:2982.48%50
23Moss441:2989.07%319
25Hall431:3051.96%31
25Russell431:3051.64%19
25Payne431:3052.60%59
28Davis401:3281.52%18
28Cox401:3282.27%53
30Evans391:3362.50%66
30Allen391:3361.56%23
32Seymour381:34515.32%713
33Mitchell371:3542.32%63
33Moore371:3541.70%33
33Webb371:3541.47%22
36Porter361:3645.50%228
37Parker331:3971.65%39
37Miller331:3971.79%44
37Lee331:3972.17%70
40Baker321:4100.62%4
40Wells321:4101.46%32
42Ellis311:4232.15%80
43Harrison301:4372.40%97
43Adams301:4371.60%43
43Baxter301:4379.97%574
43Fuller301:4372.01%73
43Brooker301:4373.73%168
48Collins291:4521.10%17
48Howard291:4522.67%119
50Jackson281:4681.81%67
50Page281:4681.75%61
50Bird281:4684.50%244
50Marsh281:4681.27%30
50Collier281:46813.53%856
55Price271:4852.06%92
56Edwards261:5041.08%25
56Barnes261:5041.63%62
56Stone261:5041.96%90
56Austin261:5042.12%101
60Roberts251:5241.27%40
60Robinson251:5241.39%47
60Holmes251:5242.56%134
60Skinner251:5241.49%57
60Norton251:5245.29%330
65Davies241:5463.32%200
65Saunders241:5461.58%71
65Gilbert241:5461.78%86
65Minter241:5467.19%517
69Bennett231:5701.20%42
69Thomson231:57010.09%793
69Elliott231:5702.13%120
69Lawrence231:5701.56%76
69Reeves231:5701.84%98
74Martin221:5960.44%6
74Chapman221:5960.73%14
74Rogers221:5961.26%55
74Fisher221:5962.05%122
74Reed221:5961.91%110
74Francis221:5962.54%153
74Arnold221:5962.12%127
74Bartlett221:5963.50%240
74Head221:5962.93%188
83Thompson211:6241.07%41
83Cook211:6240.85%24
83Holland211:6243.31%238
83Potter211:6242.48%157
83Blake211:6243.41%246
88Pearce201:6551.81%118
88Rose201:6551.76%114
88Curtis201:6553.00%220
88Holledge201:655100.00%5,609
92Johnson191:6900.57%12
92Young191:6900.73%20
92Morgan191:6901.36%82
92May191:6901.11%56
92East191:6906.83%622
92Bridger191:6904.49%380
92Warrilow191:69086.36%5,251
99Morris181:7281.18%69
99Clarke181:7281.12%60
99Graham181:7283.73%322
99Dean181:7282.77%230
99Freeman181:7282.55%203
99Middleton181:7284.18%369
99Hooper181:7284.86%457
99Hicks181:7283.19%268
99Carpenter181:7282.37%182
99Gibbons181:7284.39%393
109Hughes171:7711.16%78
109James171:7711.32%94
109Richards171:7711.32%93
109Palmer171:7710.96%53
109Hudson171:7712.14%170
109Harding171:7712.44%206
109Whitehead171:7711.67%128
109Nicholls171:7712.22%180
109Baldwin171:7712.21%178
109Mathews171:7714.61%461
109Farmer171:7713.73%349
109Vincent171:7716.32%642
109Holloway171:7714.15%393
109Bowman171:7717.11%745
109Ottaway171:7717.66%808
109Nevard171:77125.37%2,240
125Marshall161:8191.16%83
125Wilkinson161:8192.19%197
125Harvey161:8191.19%87
125Willis161:8191.99%167
125Burrows161:8194.21%447
125Goddard161:8194.17%439
125Sampson161:8196.90%779
125Bassett161:8193.38%330
125Sparks161:8194.85%524
125Steer161:8196.72%749
135Simpson151:8741.99%187
135Foster151:8741.03%79
135Butler151:8741.01%75
135Atkinson151:8743.84%426
135Ball151:8743.28%347
135Carr151:8742.99%303
135Bishop151:8741.14%91
135Kay151:87411.81%1,291
135Field151:8741.50%130
135Glover151:8742.84%287
135Herbert151:8743.97%451
135Upton151:8743.27%344
135Forrester151:87416.85%1,761
135Budd151:8748.24%948
135Sales151:8742.87%294
135Chatfield151:8749.38%1,060
135Downer151:87433.33%3,032
135Tapper151:87468.18%5,251
135Midwinter151:87488.24%6,318
135Levens151:87453.57%4,379
155Watson141:9360.84%58
155Ward141:9360.76%45
155Barker141:9361.73%166
155Hawkins141:9361.20%107
155Watkins141:9362.80%305
155George141:9361.85%184
155Jennings141:9362.50%272
155Sanders141:9364.00%482
155Bryant141:9362.01%207
155Beck141:9365.49%683
155Church141:9362.51%273
155Bright141:9365.86%745
155Keen141:9364.75%588
155Simons141:93610.77%1,264
155Greenfield141:9368.48%1,038
155Brazier141:9365.79%733
155Killick141:9363.29%377
155Holtham141:93677.78%6,047
173Lewis131:1,0080.86%72
173Harris131:1,0080.36%10
173Grant131:1,0081.63%169
173Day131:1,0080.73%48
173Duncan131:1,0086.25%852
173Sutherland131:1,0089.09%1,175
173Preston131:1,0085.86%808
173Ash131:1,0087.30%973
173Harman131:1,0083.27%416
173Parrott131:1,00812.75%1,555
173Glen131:1,00856.52%5,085
173Medcalf131:1,00835.14%3,532
173Manger131:1,00828.89%3,032
173Astell131:1,00876.47%6,318
173O'Bee131:1,00810.83%1,354
188Scott121:1,0920.77%65
188Anderson121:1,0920.97%99
188Mills121:1,0920.60%38
188Brooks121:1,0920.98%100
188Warren121:1,0921.55%176
188Wheeler121:1,0921.41%155
188Hopkins121:1,0921.33%144
188Poole121:1,0923.07%426
188Peacock121:1,0923.05%424
188Wallis121:1,0921.62%194
188Ingram121:1,0922.97%407
188Eaton121:1,0928.39%1,175
188Terry121:1,0920.81%74
188Barnard121:1,0922.58%340
188Wheatley121:1,0924.71%683
188Piper121:1,0921.87%235
188Gibb121:1,09215.00%1,930
188Hook121:1,0921.89%237
188Jeffries121:1,0926.67%962
188Beadle121:1,0922.98%409
188Shipman121:1,09232.43%3,532
188Hawks121:1,09210.08%1,363
188Groombridge121:1,0923.15%445
188Stoneham121:1,0926.59%948
188Knell121:1,0925.43%815