Diss Genealogical Records

Diss 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.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

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

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Baptisms (1813-1880)

Transcriptions of CoE and non-conformist baptism registers. They typically contain parents names', father's occupation, but not residence. Many include mothers' maiden names.

Diss 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.

Diss Marriage Index (1552-1791)

An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

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

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Diss 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.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

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

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Non-conformist Registers (1613-1901)

Registers recording birth or baptisms, marriages an burials for various denominations outside the Church of England. Also includes records for the Society of Friends in Pakefield, Suffolk.

Diss 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.

Norfolk Electoral Rolls (1844-1952)

Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Norfolk.

Norfolk Poll Books (1714-1865)

Books recording votes cast in elections. These records name freeholders, and sometimes their tenants.

Norfolk and Norwich Hearth Tax Assessment (1666)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1666 for the county of Norfolk.

Newspapers Covering Diss

Norfolk News (1845-1870)

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

Norfolk Chronicle (1776-1869)

Regional news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other regional information from the Norfolk district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Bury and Norwich Post (1801-1900)

A regional newspaper covering news and events in Norfolk and Suffolk. The newspaper contains numerous notices and articles useful to family historians, such as notices of birth, marriage and death.

The Colchester Gazette and General Advertiser (1814-1817)

A newspaper covering Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Around 50% of issues from 1814-1817. Original images, searchable by an OCR index.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Diss 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.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1751-1818)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

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.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1370-1603)

A searchable index to early wills proved in the Court of the Bishop of Norwich. Contains the name of the testator, year of probate, residence and occupation.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

Diss Immigration & Travel Records

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.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Diss Military Records

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

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.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

Norfolk Poor Law Union Records (1796-1900)

Over 130,000 browsable pages detailing the administration of the dependent poor in Norfolk. Records contain details on births, marriages & deaths; punishments; admissions and discharges and more.

Norfolk Poll Books (1714-1865)

Books recording votes cast in elections. These records name freeholders, and sometimes their tenants.

Suffolk Eyre Roll Civil Pleas (1240)

Transcriptions and translations of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes. A number of cases relate to Suffolk.

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.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Diss Taxation Records

Poll Book for Norfolk East (1865)

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

Poll Books for Norfolk (1768-1817)

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

Norfolk and Norwich Hearth Tax Assessment (1666)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1666 for the county of Norfolk.

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.

Diss Land & Property Records

Poll Book for Norfolk East (1865)

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

Poll Books for Norfolk (1768-1817)

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

Norfolk Electoral Rolls (1844-1952)

Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Norfolk.

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.

Diss Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1937)

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

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1933)

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 Norfolk (1929)

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

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1916)

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 Norfolk (1912)

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.

Diss Cemeteries

Norfolk Monumental Inscriptions (1600-1999)

Browsable images of booklets containing transcriptions of hundreds-of-thousands of gravestones and other memorials. Maps are included to help locate memorials.

Norfolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Norfolk Monumental Inscriptions (1700-1985)

An index to vital details engraved on over 5,000 gravestones and other monuments across the county of Norfolk.

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.

Diss 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.

Diss Histories & Books

Picture Norfolk (1800-1950)

A database containing over 16,000 photographs, sketches and other images of the county.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

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

The History of Norfolk (1000-1810)

A detailed history of the county – its hundreds and parishes.

Handbook: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire (1892)

A traveller's guide to four Southern counties.

Norfolk Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Norfolk.

Diss 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.

Diss Occupation & Business Records

Norfolk Pubs (1300-Present)

Thousands of profiles of Norfolk pubs, arranged by location. Contains photographs, names of licensees or landlords, architectural details, name changes, historical extracts and more.

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.

Norfolk Mills (1600-Present)

Profiles and photographs of steam, water and windmills in the county.

Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (1744-1883)

A history of the early period of Norwich's hospital.

Lost Pubs of Norfolk (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Diss

The Visitation of Norfolk, Vol. 2 (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms. This volume also includes a number of transcripts of wills, inquisitions post mortems and other records.

The Visitation of Norfolk (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

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

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.

Diss Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of Norfolk, Vol. 2 (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms. This volume also includes a number of transcripts of wills, inquisitions post mortems and other records.

The Visitation of Norfolk (1563)

Pedigrees of Norfolk gentry families, including descriptions of their arms.

Victoria County History: Norfolk (1086-1900)

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

The Visitation of Norfolk: 1664 (1000-1664)

Pedigrees compiled from a mid 17th century heraldic visitation of Norfolk. This work records the lineage, descendants and marriages of families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Norfolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Diss Church Records

Norfolk Parish Map (1835)

A map delineating parishes in the county of Norfolk.

Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts (1685-1941)

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

Norfolk Archdeacon's Transcripts (1600-1812)

Browsable images of copies of Norfolk parish registers that were sent to the Bishop of Norfolk.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-1900)

An index to baptisms, marriages and burials in Norfolk parish registers. Images of the registers can be viewed separately.

Norfolk Parish Registers (1538-2013)

Digital images of baptism, marriage and burial registers from Church of England places of worship in Norfolk.

Biographical Directories Covering Diss

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.

Diss Maps

Norfolk Parish Map (1835)

A map delineating parishes in the county of Norfolk.

Norfolk Historic Maps (1780-1988)

An online application that allows you to browse several types of maps, including tithe maps, enclosure maps and aerial photography.

Faden’s Map of Norfolk (1794)

A map charting settlements, streets, rivers, natural features etc.

Maps of Norfolk (1588-1922)

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.

Diss 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

Diss is the chief town of the hundred, 22 miles from Norwich, and is pleasantly situated near the Waveney, which divides the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The streets are wide and clean; the town having been new paved, presents altogether a respectable appearance, having several good houses, and about 400 in the whole. The market is held on Friday. The water of the meer at the w est end is too impure for domestic use, but it produces good eels, and some other fish. The church is a regular building, consisting of a chancel, a nave, and two aisles, with a square tower at the west end, and is remarkable for its clerestory tier of windows, disposed in pairs, five of which are on each side of the nave, having a plain pilaster between every pair. The heads of the windows are rather of an unique kind, but the arch is formed of a waving line. The door of the south porch has a semicircular arch, and over it a window formed of seven arched lights. This structure was erected by the family of the Fitzwalters, lords of the place. Robert Fitzwalter distinguished himself highly in the reign of King John. In an upper north window of the nave is a man in a blue robe and a red mantle, kneeling on a cushion, bidding his beads, and opposite in the same window, a woman in a similar attitude.

Here was also a free chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas, built about the time of Henry the Fifth by the Guilds of St. Nicholas and Corpus Christi. Their Hall, afterwards used for a Charity School, was common to both societies. It was well furnished for the merry meetings of the brothers and sisters, for in 1575 here were kept the standard scales and weights for the market, and then there was left to the use of the town in that house, one caldron, one brass pot, five spits, two bowls, one ladle, and two trevets; twenty salts, four platters, forty-six mease of plates, forty ditto of dishes, forty ditto of trenchers, nine dozen of spoons, four cups, six tablecloths, &c., by which may be conjectured what jolly doings there had been formerly; but this, in the second year of Edward VI. suffered the fate of all other free chapels, being then dissolved. Here it may not be amiss to remark, that the facetious John Skelton, the poet laureat in the reign of Henry VIII., was rector of Diss in the years between 1502 and 1503. His satires against the clergy nearly ruined him. Richard Nix, then Bishop of Norwich, called him to an account for keeping a concubine, though he confessed he had ever looked upon her as his wife, but did not declare it, because fornication in the clergy was thought a little sin, but marriage a greater one. Being suspended by his Bishop, Skelton was obliged to take shelter in Westminster Abbey, with his friend Abbot Islip, a man of liberal ideas. Skelton was buried in the Church of St. Margaret, Westminster, in June 1529, having seen the overthrow of most of his enemies.

Besides the church there is a Presbyterian and Quakers’ meeting house. A Charity School, which was first endowed in 1711, at Palgrave in Suffolk, was two years afterwards removed here, and kept in a building formerly the Guildhall.

Skelton foretold Cardinal Wolsey’s downfall, and was the author of several whimsical sonnets, on the Virgin of Kent (the famous Elizabeth Barton), Dame Anne, Elinor Rummin, the famous alewife, Colyn Clout, &c.

Beyond Diss, a mile and half to the left, is Roydon, the seat of John Frere, Esq.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

DISS is a parish and well-built market town and head of a county court district, with a station on the Great Eastern railway, which passes through the parish about a mile east from the town, 26 ½ miles north from Ipswich, 24 east from Bury St. Edmunds, 19 south-west from Norwich and 94 ½ north-east from London, in the Southern division of the county, Diss hundred and petty sessional division, Depwade union, rural deanery of Redenhall, archdeaconry of Norfolk and diocese of Norwich. The town, separated from Suffolk by the river Waveney, stands principally on an acclivity, encompassing a large sheet of water, or mere, of the extent of nearly 6 acres, the banks of which, laid out in gardens at the rear of the houses, have a pleasant effect when viewed from the lower part of the town: the mere receives all the rain water from the town, and the overflow discharges itself into the Waveney.

The parish was constituted a Local Government District, 3 Dec. 1850, under the “Public Health Act,” 1848 (11 and 12 Vict. c. 63), but under the provisions of the “Local Government Act,” 1894 (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), it is now governed by an Urban district council of nine members.

The town is lighted with gas from works on Victoria road, the property of the Diss Gas Light and Coke Company Limited, incorporated in May, 1864.

It is also well drained, the sewage being treated by irrigation, pumped upon land situate in the parish of Palgrave, Suffolk.

The church of St. Mary the Virgin is a large structure of cut flints, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave with clerestory, aisles, north and south porches and a fine embattled western tower containing a clock and 8 bells: the bells were cast in 1832, by Mr. William Dobson, of Downham: the reredos, presented by the rector in 1869, is of Caen stone, inlaid with coloured marbles and ornamented with bosses of spar and gold and the emblems of the four Evangelists in alabaster, and has a black marble and gold mosaic cross in the centre: the chancel walls within the sacrarium are panelled in oak, with diapered devices in gold and colours; the stained east window is a memorial to the Rev. William Manning, 46 years rector (1811—57); another was erected in 1864 to Mrs. Manning and there are several more, all being memorials: the stone font with its oak cover, and the oaken pulpit, reading desk and lectern, all executed in the town, were erected in 1858: there are several monuments, and a full-length portrait of the late rector, presented by the inhabitants, is placed in the vestry: the nave and aisles underwent considerable repair in 1850, at a cost of £1,700; the chancel was restored and enlarged to its original length in 1857, the work being carried out under the direction of Mr. Augustus E. Browne, architect, of London, and a native of Diss: in 1877 the interior of the chancel was fitted with oak choir stalls, and the floor repaved and the walls decorated with painting, a new organ erected in the north chapel and the western gallery removed, at a total cost of about £800: there are 750 sittings. The register dates from the year 1551. The living is a rectory, average tithe rent-charge £670, net yearly value £385, including 11 acres of glebe and house, in the gift of and held since 1857 by the Rev, Charles Robertson Manning M.A, of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, F.S.A, hon. canon of Norwich, rural dean of Redenhall, J.P. for Norfolk and surrogate.

Here is a Baptist chapel, built in 1860, a Unitarian chapel, erected in 1822, to replace the Palgrave chapel, also Wesleyan, Congregational, Primitive Methodist, and Free Methodist chapels, and the Society of Friends have a meeting house.

The Cemetery, on the Heywood road, formed at a cost of nearly £3,000, comprises 5 acres and has two mortuary chapels in the Early Perpendicular style, with an entrance lodge: it is under the control of a Burial Board of 9 members.

The Corn Exchange, in Crown street, was erected in 1854, at the sole cost of Thomas Lombe Taylor esq. of Diss, and is a structure of brick with a lofty stone portico in the Ionic style, designed and executed by Mr. George Atkins, of this town: the hall is 77 by 42 feet, lighted from above by an iron and glass roof, and contains an organ, presented by the late Miss Taylor, for the use of the Diss Sacred Harmonic Society; in the hall is a portrait of T. L. Taylor esq. purchased by subscription in 1857; it was painted by Sir W. Boxall, director of the National Gallery 1865—74; adjoining the hall is a petty sessions room and a public library and reading room; the library comprises between 3,000 and 4,000 volumes, and is supplied with daily and weekly papers and periodicals, it is managed by a committee. A parochial lending library is maintained at the Parish Room.

The Montgomerie Lodge of Freemasons, established here in 1878, meets at the “Kings Head.”

A weekly market is held on Fridays for corn, cattle, sheep and pigs, toll free: the corn market is well attended by merchants and farmers; important stock sales are also held weekly alternately at the Crown Hotel yard and the “Saracen’s Head” yard, and are well attended.

There are branches here of Messrs. Barclay and Co. Limited (formerly Gurney and Co.’s bank) and the London and Provincial Bank Limited. The chief manufactures are brush, mat, and cocoanut matting and stays, employing a large number of hands of both sexes; malting is also carried on to some extent, and there is a brewery.

Several sick and benefit clubs have been established in the town.

The Nursing Institution in Denmark street for patients recommended by the medical practitioners in Diss has 5 beds, and is supported by Francis Taylor esq. J.P., M.P.

An almshouse, pleasantly situated near the Victoria road, at the entrance to the town, with pleasure ground and garden attached, has rooms for thirteen aged couples or widows: at one end of the building is a large room for the transaction of parish business.

The town estate of 97 acres, at Framlingham, in Suffolk, formerly produced £347 gross rental, but now hardly realizes the sum payable to the churchwardens: the net income is applied under a scheme settled by the Charity Commissioners in 1873, as follows: £90 to the churchwardens of Diss for repairs to the church and their general expenses, and the residue to the Urban District Council, for the use and benefit of the inhabitants. Charities of £55 yearly value are distributed, principally in fuel.

Francis Taylor esq. M.P., J.P. is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Sir Kenneth Hagar Kemp bart. of Mergate Hall, the trustees of the late Hugh Robert Rump esq. of Wells, Edward Mann esq. of Thelveton Hall, Francis Taylor esq. M.P. Mount street, Diss, Mr. Charles Farrow and Mr. Charles Chase.

The area is 3,674 acres; rateable value, £12,013; the population in 1891 was 3,763.

At Diss Heywood, 2 ½ miles north, is a chapel-school, erected in 1865, at a cost of about £800, and licensed for divine service: the fittings are so arranged that the whole can be used on Sundays for service; and during the rest of the week a portion is screened off for school purposes.

The Earl of Albemarle P.C., K.C.M.G., A.D.C. of Quidenham Park, is lord of the manor of Diss Heywood.

Petty Sessions are held at the Corn hall every second & fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. The following places are included in the Petty Sessional division:-Bressingham, Burston, Diss, Dickleburgh, Fersfield, Gissing, Roydon, Scolt, Shelfanger, Shimpling, Thelveton, Tivetshall St. Mary, Tivetshall St. Margaret, Winfarthing, Frenze & Thorpe Parva.

Volunteers

4th Volunteer Battalion (Norfolk Regiment) (B Co.), Hon. Major Francis Taylor M.P., J.P. commanding; Sergeant Henry Lacey, drill instructor; head quarters, Crown hotel, Crown street.

Places of Worship, with times of services and number of seats.

Parish Church, St. Nicholas street. Rev. Canon C. R. Manning M.A. & Rev. Harold Augustus Harris (curate); 10.45 a.m. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; 8 a.m. & 5 p.m. daily 750.

Friends’ Meeting House, Church street, 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m. 200..

Baptist, Denmark street. Rev. James Easter; 10.30 a.m. & 6 30 p.m.; Mon. 7.30 p.m. 650.

Congregational, Mere street. Rev. Robert Fletcher, 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.45 p.m. 450.

Primitive Methodist, Mount street, Rev. Charles Priestley; 2.30 & 6.30 p.m.; thurs, 7.30 p.m. 100.

Unitarian, Park fields. Rev. Herbert E. Lawson, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. 300.

United Free Methodist, Park corner. Rev. Alfred Winfield; 10.30 a.m. & 6.15 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m. 450.

Wesleyan, Victoria road. Rev. Frederick Barber; 10.30 a.m. & 6.15 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m. 420.

Schools

A School Board of 7 members was formed March 14, 1872; Stephen Newson, St. Marie’s terrace, clerk to the board; Joshua Caton, attendance officer; the board meet at the schools every 3rd Monday in the month at 7.30, p.m.

Board, erected in 1860, enlarged in 1874, & again in 1895, for 480 children; average attendance, 360.

Diss Heywood (mixed), for 50 children; average attendance, 24.

National (mixed & infants), built in 1862 & enlarged in 1871, for 220 children; average attendance, 217.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1896)

Most Common Surnames in Diss

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Diss Hundred
1Smith441:880.60%1
2Cooper421:922.14%9
3Wright391:991.24%2
3Aldrich391:9935.45%848
5Cattermole381:10142.22%1,012
6Cook331:1173.42%46
7Brown301:1280.98%3
7Ward301:1281.71%12
7Leeder301:1288.00%218
7Easto301:12876.92%1,901
11Bond291:1335.46%135
11Chenery291:13315.34%479
13Scott281:1383.05%49
14Reeve271:1431.97%23
15Peake261:14824.53%876
16Fisher251:1542.97%59
16Last251:15426.32%969
16Alger251:15432.89%1,163
19Potter241:1603.69%96
19Rice241:1608.66%309
19Jolly241:1609.27%340
22Green231:1670.94%4
22King231:1671.48%16
22Saunders231:1673.20%85
22Lusher231:16710.04%396
22Leathers231:16762.16%1,964
27Kent211:1835.93%239
27Nunn211:1837.09%289
27Murton211:18316.80%742
27Leeks211:18391.30%2,618
31Harvey201:1931.88%33
31Cobb201:19310.64%482
31Crick201:19321.98%1,004
31Musk201:19322.73%1,031
31Studd201:19344.44%1,732
36Hall191:2031.06%11
36Carter191:2031.63%29
36Woods191:2031.77%32
36Bryant191:20311.73%589
36Rudd191:2032.22%56
36Bloomfield191:2035.38%241
42Philpot181:21427.27%1,294
42Woodrow181:2144.50%205
42Sandy181:21438.30%1,686
45Martin171:2263.09%125
45Read171:2261.63%35
45Kemp171:2262.43%89
45Buckle171:22610.00%552
49Robinson161:2412.73%113
49Hewitt161:2412.60%104
49Humphrey161:2415.00%264
49Bobby161:24147.06%2,077
53Clarke151:2570.64%5
53Bailey151:2571.53%42
53Fulcher151:2573.73%203
53Cullum151:2576.91%412
57Murray141:27514.43%950
57Hammond141:2751.80%73
57Rayner141:2752.42%116
57Howes141:2751.12%25
57Cornell141:27523.33%1,406
57Haylett141:2754.26%261
63Baker131:2960.89%20
63Pearce131:2962.30%119
63Collett131:29627.66%1,686
63Offord131:29612.62%904
63Barkham131:29665.00%2,855
68Edwards121:3211.01%26
68Knight121:3218.70%687
68Day121:3212.58%163
68Driver121:3219.52%736
68Prentice121:32110.17%793
68Cann121:3216.56%498
68Stannard121:3215.00%372
68Kerry121:3215.08%380
68Vince121:3216.56%498
68Elsey121:32114.12%1,062
78Jones111:3501.74%98
78Taylor111:3500.54%8
78Burgess111:3503.05%233
78Morley111:3504.09%322
78Short111:35010.58%893
78Downing111:3507.91%679
78Coe111:3501.84%108
78Oakes111:3507.38%636
78Lines111:3506.67%573
78Aldous111:3506.21%528
78Doubleday111:35013.92%1,134
78Larter111:3507.19%619
78Dennington111:35013.92%1,134
78Anness111:35057.89%2,934
92Harrison101:3851.20%63
92Parker101:3850.99%39
92Howard101:3850.51%10
92Perry101:3857.19%679
92Burrows101:3853.65%314
92Bacon101:3851.68%108
92Wylie101:385100.00%4,171
92Barham101:3856.17%589
92Harrold101:38514.08%1,226
92Beales101:3852.29%182
92Sheldrake101:3855.65%528
92Pretty101:38520.00%1,620
92Froud101:38571.43%3,456
92Gostling101:3856.58%624
92Madgett101:38527.03%1,964
92Angold101:38590.91%3,946
92Haystead101:38541.67%2,565
92Chaplyn101:38590.91%3,946
110Davies91:4289.47%969
110Evans91:4285.23%549
110Jackson91:4281.20%78
110Gray91:4281.36%92
110Watts91:4280.93%45
110Bird91:4281.05%55
110Francis91:4281.60%120
110Bullock91:4282.20%198
110Manning91:4283.01%283
110Woodcock91:4282.29%210
110Adamson91:42827.27%2,106
110Bean91:4284.81%486
110Newland91:42810.59%1,062
110Garrod91:4283.86%389
110Keeley91:4288.65%893
110Elliston91:428100.00%4,436
110Leggate91:42820.45%1,761
110Scopes91:42890.00%4,171
110Scutts91:42850.00%3,014
110Catermole91:42847.37%2,934
110Vyall91:428100.00%4,436
110Brighte91:428100.00%4,436
132Wood81:4813.85%427
132Grant81:4814.17%473
132Brooks81:4811.41%118
132Bishop81:4811.75%168
132Whitehead81:4817.84%910
132Nichols81:4810.95%59
132Randall81:4813.35%374
132Church81:4812.96%321
132Foreman81:4815.13%610
132Sparrow81:4813.83%423
132March81:4819.41%1,062
132Knights81:4810.89%52
132Keeble81:4818.42%969
132Newson81:4813.96%437
132Cutting81:4813.83%423
132Thrower81:4812.03%208
132Dack81:4811.56%141
132Haylock81:4818.70%993
132Coburn81:48172.73%3,946
132Steggles81:48111.94%1,279
132Gipson81:48112.50%1,326
132Livock81:4819.20%1,040
132Sussames81:48161.54%3,581
132Amyot81:481100.00%4,793
156Hart71:5501.98%241
156Hudson71:5500.89%71
156Lane71:5501.90%224
156Sutton71:5501.07%95
156Todd71:5501.97%238
156Archer71:5502.80%354
156Atkins71:5502.02%247
156Talbot71:5506.14%820
156Pennington71:55070.00%4,171
156Crisp71:5501.39%146
156Pullen71:55038.89%3,014
156Hawes71:5501.94%233
156Mears71:5505.30%711
156Dykes71:55087.50%4,793
156Jolley71:55011.48%1,387
156Batley71:5505.34%714
156Hurn71:5503.10%399
156Hurren71:55022.58%2,193
156Rout71:5505.83%771
156Flatman71:5506.67%885
156Keely71:55021.88%2,143
156Punt71:55011.86%1,431
156Gaymer71:55017.50%1,871
156Maling71:550100.00%5,200
156Thurtle71:5505.74%758
156Foulser71:55041.18%3,121
156Lond71:55046.67%3,321
156Hemstead71:55077.78%4,436
156Rolingson71:550100.00%5,200
156Cultum71:550100.00%5,200
156Hoolhouse71:550100.00%5,200
156Warons71:550100.00%5,200
188Lewis61:6421.94%272
188Harris61:6420.98%105
188Moore61:6420.28%6
188Holmes61:6420.78%74
188Hartley61:6428.22%1,197
188Cooke61:6421.28%161
188Buckley61:64230.00%2,855
188Baldwin61:6421.16%138
188Goddard61:6421.95%274
188Warner61:6421.76%251
188Bush61:6421.09%126
188Salmon61:6423.05%452
188Betts61:6420.63%47
188Stringer61:6425.61%870
188House61:64228.57%2,766
188Budd61:64227.27%2,687
188Sage61:6429.84%1,387
188Cracknell61:6423.95%624
188Lacy61:64210.91%1,505
188Dowson61:6428.22%1,197
188Thurlow61:6423.64%573
188Wingfield61:64223.08%2,446
188Copping61:6427.41%1,111
188Welham61:64218.75%2,143
188Youngman61:6422.65%399
188Petts61:64214.29%1,813
188Burrage61:6427.32%1,103
188Tipple61:6426.32%969
188Brame61:64224.00%2,501
188Rudling61:6424.03%636
188Haxell61:64260.00%4,171
188Shulver61:64242.86%3,456
188Rampley61:64228.57%2,766
188Bread61:64260.00%4,171
188Sanham61:64246.15%3,581
188Borrough61:642100.00%5,754
188Steggalls61:642100.00%5,754
188Homphries61:642100.00%5,754