Broadstairs Genealogical Records
Broadstairs 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.
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.
Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.
Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.
An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.
Broadstairs 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.
An index to marriages in Holy Trinity, Broadstairs from 1851 to 1928, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.
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.
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.
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.
Broadstairs 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.
Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.
Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.
An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.
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.
Broadstairs 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 transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
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.
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 Broadstairs
Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the Whitstable district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.
A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering local news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Dover area.
A conservative-oriented newspaper reporting on local news, births, marriages and deaths in the two counties.
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.
A regional paper including news from the Kent area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.
Broadstairs 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 probates and administrations held at Canterbury Probate Registry. Contains details on the testator, type of grant, residence, occupation and reference to order the original.
Abstracts and references to 10,000s of wills and probate documents, primarily from East Kent.
Browsable images of inventories. Also includes freeman papers for Queenborough.
Browsable images of administrations, inventories and wills.
Broadstairs Immigration & Travel Records
A small list of convicts transported to the colonies.
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.
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.
Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.
Broadstairs Military Records
A great deal of information relating to the regiment, including a thorough history, biographical details, photographs, information on honours etc.
A general history of the yeomanry, including extracts from original records
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.
A finding aid for records detailing orders relating to ordinary rank men in the Royal West Kent Regiment.
Details of voluntary aid workers in Kent during WWI.
Broadstairs Court & Legal Records
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.
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.
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.
Legal records covering a variety of issues from land to bastardy.
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.
Broadstairs Taxation Records
A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.
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.
Broadstairs Land & Property Records
A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.
Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.
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.
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.
Broadstairs Directories & Gazetteers
Descriptions of settlements in the regions and the names of several thousand private and commercial residents.
The names of several thousand private and commercial residents of the region.
A gazetteer and directory of part of Kent.
A directory of over 2,500 people from the Thanet region, includes residence and occupation.
A directory of settlements in Kent detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.
Broadstairs Cemeteries
Transcriptions of thousands of memorials and headstones found in Kent.
Photographs and descriptions of Kent's 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.
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Broadstairs 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.
Broadstairs Histories & Books
A sprawling work containing a detailed history of the county and each parish.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
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.
Photographs and images of churches in Kent.
Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.
Broadstairs 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.
Broadstairs Occupation & Business Records
A calendar to licences granted by Diocese of Canterbury to teachers, physicians and apothecaries.
Articles detailing several smuggling gangs that operated in the county.
An introduction to smuggling in on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.
An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.
Histories of Kent pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Broadstairs
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.
A collection of pedigrees, family notes and historical extracts relating to Kent and its families.
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.
Broadstairs Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.
Photographs and descriptions of Kent's 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.
Broadstairs Church Records
The parish registers of Broadstairs are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). Unindexed original images of the registers are available between 1850 and 1928.
Extracts relating to the ecclesiastical history of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury.
Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.
Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.
Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.
Biographical Directories Covering Broadstairs
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.
Broadstairs Maps
Digital images of 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.
Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.
Broadstairs 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
Broadstairs, a small but pleasant seaport, in the parish of St. Peter's, has of late years become a watering place of some notoriety. The sea-views are fine from several points, and the place possesses many attractions for those who prefer tranquillity to the bustle of festive and noisy crowds. Here is an ancient Gate, designed to act as a barrier against the crews of privateers.
BROADSTAIRS, anciently called “Bradstow,” is a pleasant little town and watering place, with a station on the South Eastern and Chatham railway, 2 ½ miles north from Ramsgate, 72 from London and 3 ½ south-west from Margate, situated on a small bay on the eastern coast of the Isle of Tranet, and within the civil parish of St. Peter, in the rural deanery of Westbere, and archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury; it was from 1879 under a Local Board, but is now governed, under the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), by a District Council of twelve members. In pursuance of an Order of the County Council, made in 1894, the name of the Urban District was altered to Broadstairs and St. Peter’s, and in 1895 was divided into two wards, Broadstairs and St. Peter’s. The modern extension of the town of Broadstairs has a fine promenade on the summit of low cliffs, but in the older part the streets are narrow and tortuous. Both Broadstairs and St. Peter’s are lighted with gas and by electricity by a company, and supplied with water from works erected in 1859 and extended in 1876, the property of the Urban, District Council; the water is obtained from wells. The ecclesiastical parish was formed out of St. Peter’s on Sept. 27, 1850. The church of the Holy Trinity, erected in 1840 as a chapel of ease to St. Peter’s, is of flint with stone facings in the Early English style, and has a tower containing a clock and one bell: there are 750 sittings, 318 being free. The register of baptisms dates from the year 1850. The living was declared a rectory Dec. 6, 1867, net yearly value £190, with residence, built in 1870, in the gift of the vicar of St. Peter’s, and held since 1896 by the Rev. Francis Thomas Shapley Mills M.A. of Jesus College, Cambridge. The Catholic church, St. Peter’s Park road, is dedicated to Our Lady Star of the Sea. There is a Baptist chapel in High street, founded in 1790, with 250 sittings, and one in Queen’s road, built in 1897, having seats for 170; a Congregational chapel, erected in 1876, with 300 sittings; a Wesleyan chapel and a preaching room belonging to the Brethren. The Maisonette is the residence of Sir Richard Henry Wyatt D.L., J.P. Bleak House, standing in a prominent position on the cliff, is stated to be associated with the novel, “Bleak House,” of the late Charles Dickens. There is a bathing establishment and libraries, as well as marine villas and many lodging houses. The Grand Hotel contains every convenience: the Albion is also a good hotel and there are several inns. York gate, an ancient arch of flint-work, once forming part of the defences of the place, was built by George Cullmer about 1540, and repaired in 1795 by Sir John Henniker bart. the portcullis and gates have disappeared; near it are the remains of a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Bradstow and once containing an image held in great veneration by mariners, who were wont to salute it in passing by lowering their sails. The area of the Urban District is 1,558 acres; rateable value, £50,000; and population in 1891 was. 5,234, and in 1901, 6,466, viz.: Broadstairs Ward, 3,509 and St. Peter’s Ward, 2,957. The population of Holy Trinity ecclesiastical parish in 1891 was 2,933 and in 1901, 3,509.
PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services
St. Peter’s Church, St. Peter’s, Rev. Robert Edwin Johnston M.A. vicar; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.; daily at 8 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Holy Trinity, Broadstairs, Rev. Francis Thomas Shapley Mills M.A. rector; Rev. William Henry Kingdon A.K.C.L, curate; 7.30, 9.30 & 11 a.m. & 3, 3.45 & 7 p.m.; daily, 9 & 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Catholic Church of Out Lady Star of the Sea, St. Peter’3 Park road, served from Ramsgate; sunday mass in July, Aug. & Sept. 8 & 10 a.m. other months 9.30 a.m. holy days, 9 a.m.
Baptist, High street, Broadstairs (Providence), Rev. Jas. William Carter; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7 p.m.
Baptist, Queen’s road, Rev. Thomas Davies; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.
Baptist, Reading Street, Rev. Charles Denniss; 11 a.m. &, 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7 p.m.
Baptist, St. Peter’s, Rev. John Thomas Castle; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; mon. & thurs, at 7 p.m.
Congregational, Broadstairs, Rev. Thomas William Ingram; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7 p.m.
Wesleyan, Broadstairs; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7 p.m.
Wesleyan, St. Peter’s; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; tues. 7 p.m.
Schools
Infants’, for 125 children; average attendance, 98.
National (boys), for 170; average attendance, 102; girls’, erected in 1887, for 180; average attendance, 101.
ST. PETER’S, a member of the Cinque Port liberty of Dover, under the jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports justices, has under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894,” and by County Council Orders, been divided into two parishes respectively, ’ Intra and Extra, the former within the Broadstairs and St. Peter’s Urban District, in the Isle of Thanet division of the county, lathe of St. Augustine, Thanet union, county court district of Margate, Ringslow hundred, rural deanery of Westbere, and archdeaconry of Canterbury, 2 miles from both Margate and Ramsgate, on an eminence. The church of St. Peter, originally erected about 1080 as a chapel to Minster, is of flint, in the Norman and Early English styles, with later insertions, and has a tower with 8 bells: in 1887 the tower was restored, the bells re-cast and a new clock with chimes added, at a total cost of £1,000: there are some brasses, a marble tablet to Thomas Sheridan M.A. elocutionist and lexicographer, father of the Right Hon. R. Brinsley Sheridan, who died at Margate 14 August, 1788, and a memorial window erected to Catherine (Spooner) wife of the late Archbishop Tait, d. 1 Dec. 1878, and to his son, Crawford Tail: the church has been restored, and affords 900 sittings, 400 being free. The register dates from the year 1582. The living was constituted a vicarage in 1215 by Pope Innocent III. net yearly value £460, with residence, in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and held since 1900 by the Rev. Robert Edwin Johnston M.A. of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and surrogate. Here are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels.
On the grounds adjoining Stone House are the St. Peter’s Orphan and Convalescent Homes.
The poor of St. Peter and Broadstairs have the benefit of Nuckell’s charity, bequeathed in 1836 by Mrs. Ann Nuckell, of Broadstairs, and now (1902) amounting to £250 yearly; other charities, producing £70 yearly, derived from rents of land, are distributed in money and kind.
Kingsgate, formerly Bartholomew Gate, takes its name from a gate erected to commemorate the landing here of King Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, afterwards James II. June 13Th 1683, when on their way from London to Dover; this pate was blown down in a great storm in the early part of the present century, and was re-erected in the grounds of the Convent close by, where it now stands. Kingsgate is a mile and a hall north from Broadstairs and the same distance from St. Peter’s and 3 miles east from Margate and is a coastguard station. Harley Tower commemorates Thomas Harley esq. lord mayor in 1768; and Whitfield Tower Robert Whitfield esq. a former owner of the estate.. On a tumulus at Hackendown is a flint tower, built by Lord Holland, and containing a clock. The Convent is now the residence of Clifford James Brookes esq. Dane Court is the seat of Mrs. Tomlin; Callis Court, of Harry H. Marks esq.; Bromstone House that of Mrs. Weekley; and Kingsgate Castle is unoccupied. Near here is Whiteness, the residence of William Capel Slaughter esq. Pierremont, built by the late F. Forsyth esq. was formerly the residence of H.R.H, the Duchess of Kent, and here Her late Majesty Queen Victoria spent many of her early days; it is now occupied as a school. Dumpton Park is the residence of the Earl of Darnley. The trustees of the Marquess Conyngham (a minor) are lords of the manor. James Taddy Friend esq. of Northdown, Margate, Edward Stephen Goodson esq. J.P. Mrs. Tomlin and Sherwood Mockett esq. are the principal landowners. The soil is loam; subsoil, chalk. The chief crops are wheat, oats and barley.
The area of St. Peter Intra parish is 1,558 acres of land and 218 of foreshore; rateable value, £49,586; the population in 1901 was 6,466, including 94 in the Yarrow Convalescent Home and 91 in the Metropolitan Convalescent Home.
The area of St. Peter Extra parish is 1,372 acres of land and 75 of foreshore; rateable value, £10,397; the population in 1901 was 727.
Shallows, three-quarters of a mile west, and Reading Street, 1 mile north are hamlets; at the latter place is a Baptist chapel, built in 1871, with 120 sittings. Dane Court is also, a hamlet, a mile west. Dane had formerly a chapel, erected in pursuance of a licence granted in 1230, but it has now disappeared. George Hill is about 2 miles north Westwood, about one mile south-west, and Northwood about a mile and a quarter south-west.
Sole or Sowell Street is a hamlet, close to St. Peter’s. Stone Stairs is a landing on the coast, three-quarters of a mile north from Broadstairs. Near it are Stone, Calins (or Callis) Grange and Smock Street. Dumpton Stairs is a landing on the coast, three-quarters of a mile south from Broadstairs, near Dumpton Point. Adjoining are Dumpton and Newlands. To the north are Forness, the northerly point of Kent, Long Nose Spit and Whiteness; and on the south the North Foreland, the Promontoriuns Acantium of the Romans: the North Foreland lighthouse, erected to guide ships clear of the. Goodwin sands, is 85 feet in height and 200 feet above the sea level, with a light of 750 candle power, and its light is said to be visible at the Nore.
NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Free; the boys’ school was re-modelled in 1902 for 240 boys; average attendance, 140; & is endowed with £110 yearly, from Mrs. Nuckell’s & Mrs. Lovejoy’a charities.
Girls’ & infants’, built in 1902, for 380 children; average attendance, 240.
Infante’ (Reading Street), built in 1846, for 70 children; average attendance, 48.