Swaffham Genealogical Records

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham Baptism Records (1559-1837)

A book containing a transcription of the baptism registers of Swaffham. Baptisms are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837. They may record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham Marriage Index (1635-1714)

Marriage records from people who married at the church between 1635 and 1714.

Swaffham Marriage Index (1559-1837)

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

Swaffham Marriages (1559-1837)

Transcriptions of records from baptism registers. They may list residence, marital status, witnesses and more.

Swaffham Marriage Records (1559-1837)

A printed book recording marriages solemnised at Swaffham between 1559 AND 1837. Details may include residence, marital status and witnesses.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham Burial Records (1559-1837)

A printed book recording burials in the churchyard of Swaffham. These records essentially record deaths in and around Swaffham between 1559 and 1837. Details may include the age of the deceased, their residence and name of relations.

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.

Swaffham 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 Swaffham

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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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 Swaffham

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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham Church Records

Swaffham Parish Registers (1559-1837)

A book of transcriptions from the baptism, marriage and burial registers of Swaffham covering the years 1559 to 1837. These records are the primary source of birth, marriage and death documentation for people living in and around Swaffham before 1837.

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.

Biographical Directories Covering Swaffham

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.

Swaffham 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.

Swaffham 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

Swaffham is a market town, in the hundred of South Greenhoe, 34 miles from Newmarket, and 93 from London; it contains 441 houses, and 2,220 inhabitants. It is a very neat town, stands in a fine open country, on a gravelly soil, and is beautifully situated. The air is esteemed very salubrious; several instances of great longevity have occurred here. The town is extensive, and the houses are distributed over a considerable space of ground. Near the centre is a large open area, in which is a pool of water. The market hill is very spacious, and a handsome cross has been erected on it by Lord Orford; and on the west side of the hill a Subscription Assembly Room has been recently built. A fire in 1775 destroyed 24 houses at Swaffham, and did other damage.

Camden says that Swaffham was once the estate of the Earl of Richmond. The church is a handsome building, in the form of a cathedral; it was begun about the end of the reign of Edward the Fourth, but was not finished until the reign of Henry the Seventh; it has a nave, north and south aisles, chancel, and two transept chapels, making it in the form of a cross. In the windows are some remains of stained glass; the tower steeple is particularly light, well proportioned, and elegant, surrounded with a neat turret erected in 1777. The whole is covered with lead, and built with freestone, flint, and brick. The upper part of the nave is coped and embattled, in which there is a clock and eight bells. Above the water table, and under the battlements, are two shields, in one of which are the cross keys, and in the other two swords across, the emblems of St. Peter and St. Paul, to whom the church is dedicated. The tower was begun in 1507, and finished in 1510: over the doors are several niches for images. The vault of the church and the side aisles are supported by fine slender pillars, consisting each of four small pilasters joined together, forming 14 handsome arches, seven on each side, over which there are 28 neat light windows. The roof is inimitably beautiful, of oak neatly wrought and carved. The north aisle and steeple are said to have been built by John Chapman, a travelling tinker; but Mr. Gough, in his additions to Camden, views the story of Chapman being a pedlar, as a vulgar tradition; but there is little doubt of this story being founded in truth, as there originally was in each window of the aisle a painting of the tinker, his wife, and three children. In this aisle a large and lofty gallery is erected for the singers; the ascent is by a stone staircase in the adjoining wall. The arches of the chancel and west end are grand and spacious, rising almost to the summit of the roof of the church. The roof of the chancel is of oak, supported by angels.

In the church is an altar-tomb, with an effigy of Dr. John Botewright, chaplain to Henry the Sixth, and master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Some of the pews are curiously carved, and in the library is preserved a fine missal. The rectory of this church is a sinecure: the patronage of the vicarage is in the Bishop of Norwich.

The tale of Chapman the pedlar or tinker is, that "He dreamed of going to London, to hear good news, and there accidentally met with a stranger, who told him where he should find a pot of gold in his own yard; which upon digging he found, and became a great benefactor to the church." There is a Quaker’s meetinghouse at Swaffham. The market on Saturday is well supplied, and the great butter mart has lately been removed from Dereham to this place. Here are two banks and a regular post; the inns are, the Crown and the White Hart.

Near Swaffham is an extensive heath, which forms an admirable race ground. The races are annually held in August or September; coursing matches are frequent here, and the greyhounds are regularly entered for the purpose. At Swaffham on the left is a turnpike road to Downham.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

SWAFFHAM is a market and union town, parish and head of a county court district, with a station on the Lynn and Dereham section of the Great Eastern railway, which is also the junction of a branch passing through Watton to Thetford, 113 miles from London by railway and 96 by road, 14 ½ south-east from Lynn, 12 west from Dereham, 28 west from Norwich and 23 north-west from Wymondham, in the South Western division of the county, South Greenhoe hundred and petty sessional division, rural deanery of Cranwich, northern division, archdeaconry of Lynn and diocese of Norwich. The town is pleasantly situated on a rising ground, in a fine open country, 210 feet above sea level. The inhabitants enjoy peculiar privileges, the town being ancient demesne.

The town is governed by an Urban District Council of thirteen members formed under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 & 57 Vict. c. 73), having from 1840 been controlled by a Local Board. It is lighted with gas from works in the Lynn road, established in 1840, and belonging to a company. The Swaffham water works, the property of a limited company, were opened September 16th, 1867, and the water supply is obtained from a well 180 feet deep.

The church of SS. Peter and Paul, said to have been built in 1474, is a cruciform structure of flint in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of seven bays, aisles, transepts, south porch and an embattled western tower dating from 1510, with a graceful spire and containing a clock and 8 bells: the exterior of the tower is adorned with several shields charged with the emblems of the saints to whom the church was dedicated: the north aisle is stated in the Swaffham “Black Book” (a terrier dating from 1454) to have been built by John Chapman, and his device, carved in certain parts of the building, probably gave rise to the tale of his being a pedlar, but is more likely a quaint rebus on the name of Chapman: the north transept is the chapel of the Holy Trinity and the south transept that of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but is otherwise known as Blake’s Chauntry, and here the archdeacon’s court is held; attached to the south aisle is a small projection, anciently the chapel of Corpus Christi: among the monuments is one to John Botwright D.D. seventh master of Corpus Christi college or Bene’t College, Cambridge, some time rector here, proctor of the university and chaplain to King Henry VI.; and another to Catherine Steward, daughter and heiress of Thomas Paine, of Castle Acre, and wife of William Steward, of Ely; she died in 1590: there are also several brasses and many stones from which the brasses have been taken away: over the vestry is a priest’s chamber, which contains some armour and a library of valuable books: the church was partially restored in 1853 and further restorations were made and the galleries removed in 1877, a new organ being erected at the same time: the reredos was presented by Herbert Day esq. in 1881: in 1888—95 the roof and clerestory were thoroughly restored at a cost of £2,047, under the superintendence of Mr. W. O. Milne, architect, of London: the stained east window was bequeathed by the late Miss Ella Marse, and there are several others: there are about 700 sittings, most of which are appropriated. The parish register dates from the year 1557. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value from tithe rent-charge £543, average £411, net income £460, with 36 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich, and held since 1890 by the Rev. Granville Vincent Vickers Smith M.A. of Caius College, Cambridge, and rural dean of North Cranwich.

The church mission-room at the North Pool, built in 1874, was the gift of a lady parishioner. There are Baptist, Wesleyan Methodist and Primitive Methodist chapels and Salvation Army barracks.

The Corn Hall, in the Market place, was erected in 1858 by a company of shareholders, to whom it still belongs; it is used for public meetings and entertainments, and serves also as an armoury by the G company of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, formed in 1860, and now having 84 efficient members.

The Assembly Rooms, in the Market place, were erected in 1817.

The Victoria Cottage Hospital was established in May, 1888, and is maintained by voluntary contributions.

There are two banks, a subscription library and reading room, a magazine club and the Salisbury Conservative Club was founded in 1886.

The Fire Brigade, now under the control of the Urban District Council, consists of 3 men and a superintendent: the engine house is in Market place.

A monument and drinking fountain were erected by subscription in 1882 in the Market place, in honour of Sir William Bagge bart. M.P. for West Norfolk, d. 12 Feb. 1880. There is a small market every Saturday.

The cross on the Market hill was rebuilt in 1783, by Horatio, 1st Earl of Orford, and consists of eight stone columns supporting a dome surmounted by a figure of Ceres. Annual fairs are held the second Wednesday in May, the third Wednesday in July and the first Wednesday in November, for cattle and sheep.

The charities are numerous. The town estate, including the heath, inclosed in 1863, produces yearly a gross sum of £120, of which five-ninths is for the use of the poor, and is payable in pensions of 5s. weekly to poor inhabitants, two-ninths for the repairs of the fabric of the church, one-ninth for the support of the church services and one-ninth for town improvements. £1 is derived from the camping land. There is also the interest of about £1,212, invested in the £2 ¾ per Cent. Consols, which is expended in coals for the poor and in assisting girls into household service. The Donthorne charity, generally awarded in January, is distributed in gifts of about £4 to deserving old persons who have never had poor relief.

On the north-west side of the town about 2,370 acres of common land were inclosed in 1868, under the direction of the Inclosure Commissioners. North-west of the town is a piece of land called “Goodluck’s Close,” a corruption of Guthlac’s Stow. A priory of the Cistercian order was founded here by Alan, son of Godfrey de Swaffham, in the reign of Henry II. and dedicated to St. Guthlac; it was a cell to the Priory of Castle Acre and was used as a house for pilgrims to Walsingham. In the neighbourhood are Castle Acre Priory and Oxborough Hall.

Capt. Richard Horace Hamond, R.N. and Thomas Astley Hamond esq. are lords of the manor; the rectorial tithes are now in possession of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, commuted sum £1,143. The principal landowners are Capt. R. H. Hamond R.N. T. A. Hamond esq. Algernon Charles Fountaine esq. of Narford Hall, and John Weyland esq. D.L. of Woodeaton, near Oxford.

The area is 7,592 acres; rateable value, £13,603; and the population in 1891 was 3,636, including 46 officers and inmates in the workhouse.

Petty sessions are held at the Shire hall every alternate Monday at 11 a.m. The places within the district are Beechamwell, Bodney, Caldecote, Cockley-Cley, Didlington, East Bradenham, Foulden, Gooderstone, Great Gressingham, Holborough, Holm Hale, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Little Gressingham, Narburgh, Narford, Necton, Newton-by-Castle Acre, North Pickenham, Oxborough, Shingham, South Pickenham, Southacre, Sporle-with-Palgrave, Swaffham & West Bradenham.

Volunteers

3rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment (G Company); armoury, Corn hall; Capt. Augustus Wm. Thomas, commanding officer.

Swaffham Union

Board day alternate Mondays at 11 a.m. at the Workhouse.

The union comprises the following 33 parishes:-Ashill, Beechamwell, Bodney, Buckenham Tofts (or Buckenham Parva), Caldecote, Cockley-Cley, Colveston, Didlington, East Bradenham, Foulden, Gooderstone, Great Gressingham, Hilborough, Holme Hale, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Igburgh, Langford, Little Gressingham, Narburgh, Narford, Necton, Newton-by-Castle Acre, North Pickenham, Oxborougb, Saham Toney, Shingham, South Pickenham, South Acre, Sporle-with-Palgrave, Stanford, Swaffham, Threxton & West Bradenham. The population of the Union in 1891 was 12,393; area, 82,148 acres; rateable value in 1896, £68,435.

The Workhouse, in the Watton road, outside the town, erected in 1836, is a spacious edifice of brick, standing in an inclosure of 4 acres of land, & is capable of holding 250 inmates: the infirmary is a detached building available for 20 patients: there is also a burial ground mortuary.

Places of Worship, with time of Services.

SS. Peter & Paul’s Church, Rev. Granville V. V. Smith M.A. vicar; services, 8 a.m. (alternate Sundays), 11 a.m. 3.30 & 7 p.m.; week days, Wed. & Fri. at 12 noon; & Wed. evenings in the winter months at 7.30 p.m. & on saints’ days.

Baptist, Rev. James Henry Kelly; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Rev. William Rhodes; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Schools

The Grammar School in the Campingland was founded in 1724 by Nicholas Hamond & is endowed with £22 yearly, but a new scheme for its administration is now being considered by the Charity Commissioners; Rev. Wm. Edward Humphreys M.A. of Jesus College, Oxford, headmaster.

National, Campingland, erected in 1838, for 630 children, including the infants’ school in Pickenham road; average attendance, 177 boys, 171 girls & 130 infants.

Kelly's Directory of Norfolk (1896)

Most Common Surnames in Swaffham

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in South Greenhoe Hundred
1Smith631:580.86%1
1Ward631:583.60%12
3Clark601:617.83%75
4Barker571:644.84%28
5Green561:652.28%4
6Palmer531:693.28%15
7Johnson461:792.18%7
8Hudson421:875.32%71
9Howard391:942.00%10
10Wilson381:962.58%19
10Heyhoe381:9634.86%855
12Nelson341:1077.34%166
13Lusher311:11813.54%396
14Dixon301:1226.86%181
14Perkins301:12226.32%820
16Rowe281:1317.76%233
17Warnes271:1354.34%101
18Walker251:1462.41%36
18Powley251:1466.43%211
20Carter241:1522.06%29
20Spencer241:1528.39%300
22Cooper221:1661.12%9
22Savage221:1665.42%201
24Clarke211:1740.89%5
25Starling201:1834.06%151
25Rallison201:18323.26%1,050
27Howes191:1921.52%25
27Coe191:1923.18%108
27Dickerson191:1926.69%302
27Muffett191:19240.43%1,686
31Wright181:2030.57%2
31Fuller181:2031.80%40
31Pitcher181:2034.26%192
31Butters181:2037.38%363
31Melton181:2036.90%338
36Dack171:2153.31%141
36Crafer171:21550.00%2,077
38Head161:2285.99%328
38Reeve161:2281.17%23
40Murrell151:2445.51%315
40Dye151:2441.80%61
40Oxborough151:24420.27%1,179
43Bowers141:2617.37%476
43Rix141:2611.65%58
43Copsey141:26123.33%1,406
43Hannant141:2615.34%336
43Margetson141:26130.43%1,712
48Robinson131:2812.22%113
48Hall131:2810.73%11
48Saunders131:2811.81%85
48Frost131:2811.33%43
48Jarvis131:2812.31%120
48Dodds131:28156.52%2,618
48Moulton131:28113.40%950
48Alpe131:28126.53%1,638
56Brown121:3050.39%3
56Burton121:3051.08%30
56Winter121:3052.79%185
56Garner121:3056.78%528
56Spooner121:3053.16%216
56Overton121:3056.12%456
56Roberson121:30513.79%1,040
56Tufts121:30525.53%1,686
64Watson111:3320.74%18
64Baker111:3320.75%20
64Hunter111:3323.17%246
64Page111:3321.07%37
64Greenwood111:3329.09%764
64Harper111:3322.04%132
64Preston111:3323.62%277
64Waters111:3322.15%143
64Jamieson111:33247.83%2,618
64Lake111:3321.38%69
64Brett111:3322.78%207
64Graves111:3327.05%610
64Tuck111:3321.89%115
64Avis111:33219.30%1,470
64Eves111:33217.74%1,361
64Knock111:33219.64%1,482
64Hassack111:332100.00%3,946
64Layen111:33291.67%3,756
82Taylor101:3650.49%8
82Wilkinson101:3652.89%247
82Reynolds101:3651.22%65
82Chamberlain101:3655.43%494
82Everett101:3651.93%139
82Davy101:3653.40%290
82Fenn101:3653.68%315
82Thacker101:3656.85%650
82Bye101:36518.52%1,531
82Couzens101:36512.05%1,088
82Secker101:3653.98%352
82Moy101:3653.64%312
82Greengrass101:3657.25%687
82Goodbody101:36512.20%1,103
82Impson101:36527.78%1,994
82Aldiss101:36562.50%3,214
98Thompson91:4060.53%14
98Mason91:4061.10%64
98Matthews91:4061.67%131
98Webster91:4061.29%90
98Cross91:4061.94%163
98Nichols91:4061.07%59
98Drew91:4061.91%158
98Withers91:4065.56%589
98Bunting91:4062.65%252
98Yeomans91:40617.31%1,572
98Brunton91:4064.66%466
98Youngs91:4061.69%133
98Churchman91:40613.43%1,279
98Newdick91:40652.94%3,121
98Codman91:40615.25%1,431
113Young81:4573.04%332
113Parker81:4570.79%39
113Cox81:4571.21%93
113Ellis81:4571.02%72
113Berry81:4574.04%450
113Carr81:4571.98%202
113Kemp81:4571.14%89
113Marriott81:45716.33%1,638
113Buck81:4571.10%82
113Bone81:4571.88%189
113Holman81:4572.79%297
113Ling81:4572.82%302
113Cork81:4575.10%605
113Frankland81:45713.33%1,406
113Plumb81:4578.08%932
113Eagle81:4574.91%585
113Lack81:4575.44%645
113Kew81:45738.10%2,766
113Munford81:4576.67%771
113Mallows81:45710.26%1,144
113Jary81:4574.26%482
113Winner81:45714.55%1,505
113Esgate81:45717.02%1,686
113Josh81:45740.00%2,855
113Gout81:45761.54%3,581
113Gainsbury81:45780.00%4,171
139Hill71:5220.92%76
139Allen71:5220.47%17
139Barber71:5220.69%38
139Hardy71:5221.64%187
139Burrows71:5222.55%314
139Forster71:5222.33%279
139Howlett71:5220.81%54
139Tyson71:52250.00%3,456
139Balls71:5220.79%53
139Woodall71:522100.00%5,200
139Girling71:5222.58%319
139Claxton71:5220.99%87
139Burroughs71:5228.64%1,111
139Bones71:52253.85%3,581
139Man71:52238.89%3,014
139Bligh71:52217.50%1,871
139Goodrum71:5222.52%308
139Myall71:52221.88%2,143
139Bullman71:52225.93%2,393
139Trundle71:5228.86%1,134
139Meyers71:52258.33%3,756
139Pickerill71:52287.50%4,793
139Sones71:52228.00%2,501
139Ripper71:52223.33%2,244
139Rasberry71:52212.28%1,470
139Shingfield71:52213.46%1,572
139Dutchman71:52253.85%3,581
139Eavy71:522100.00%5,200
167Bell61:6090.57%34
167Hart61:6091.70%241
167Bird61:6090.70%55
167Porter61:6090.80%79
167Lane61:6091.63%224
167Hopkins61:6097.79%1,154
167Draper61:6094.69%726
167Horner61:6094.80%742
167Child61:6094.76%736
167Rudd61:6090.70%56
167Bassett61:6099.52%1,340
167Crisp61:6091.20%146
167Rolfe61:6092.25%328
167Jeffries61:6095.04%781
167Hawes61:6091.66%233
167Grove61:60927.27%2,687
167Buckle61:6093.53%552
167Frances61:6096.19%950
167Claydon61:60916.67%1,994
167Copland61:6097.32%1,103
167Garrod61:6092.58%389
167Montague61:60937.50%3,214
167Hutson61:6094.65%723
167Cubitt61:6091.82%259
167Trollope61:60911.32%1,554
167Stebbing61:6095.26%820
167Markwell61:60916.67%1,994
167Hunn61:6095.45%848
167Cordy61:60911.76%1,594
167Guymer61:6093.16%476
167Kendle61:6095.71%885
167Rowen61:609100.00%5,754
167Fendick61:6096.67%1,012
167Cadge61:60920.00%2,244
167Chatton61:60921.43%2,333
167Elsiy61:609100.00%5,754