Blackford Genealogical Records

Blackford 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.

Early Somerset Baptism Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of 255 parish baptism registers. They list children, their parents' names, residences, occupations and sometimes other details.

Wells Diocese Bishop's Transcripts (1594-1695)

Transcriptions of copies of parish registers that were compiled for the Bishop of Wells.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

Blackford 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.

Blackford Marriage Registers (1603-1837)

An index to marriages in Blackford listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Blackford Marriages (1715-1837)

An index to marriages in between 1715 and 1837, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Blackford Marriages (1603-1751)

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

Somerset Marriages Index (1650-1935)

An index of 369,186 Somerset marriages. Condition and residence may be included.

Blackford 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.

Blackford Monumental Inscriptions (1608-1991)

Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.

Holy Trinity, Blackford Burial Records (1800-1901)

Burial records covering those buried at Holy Trinity, Blackford_. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the burial registers from which they were extracted.

St Michael, Blackford Burial Records (1708-1991)

An index of burials recorded at St Michael, Blackford_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.

Early Somerset Burial Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of around half the parish burial registers for Somerset. They list the name of the deceased, the date of their death and/or burial and sometimes other details, such as age and occupation.

Blackford 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.

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

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

Somerset Electoral Registers (1832-1914)

Digital images of books the list people eligible to vote in Somerset. Includes addresses and nature of that address.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

Newspapers Covering Blackford

Wells Journal (1851-1867)

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

Sherborne Mercury (1770-1867)

Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Weekly Mail (1879-1910)

A weekly newspaper that circulated through Wales and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. It published general news, literature, commentary, family notices, adverts etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Western Gazette (1863-1950)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Blackford 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.

Somerset Medieval Will Abstracts (1385-1558)

Summaries of 1,616 wills that may detail family relationships, land ownership and other details.

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.

Archdeaconry of Taunton Wills & Administrations (1537-1799)

A calendar to wills and admons granted by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains year of the grant, name and residence.

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.

Blackford 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.

Blackford Military Records

Memorial Book of Somerset (1914-1919)

An index to almost 11,000 men connected with Somerset who died during WWI.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

2nd Somersetshire Regiment History (1801-1815)

A history of the regiment in the run-up to and during the Napoleonic Wars.

Somerset WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Somerset WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Inquests (1790-1825)

Transcripts of a large number of records detailing investigations into deaths.

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.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Blackford Taxation Records

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

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

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.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Blackford Land & Property Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

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.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Blackford Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1939)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1935)

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 Somerset (1923)

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 Somerset (1919)

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 Somerset (1914)

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.

Blackford Cemeteries

Blackford Monumental Inscriptions (1608-1991)

Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1600-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on over 100,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Blackford 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.

Blackford Histories & Books

Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset (1888-1906)

Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

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

Somerset Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Somerset.

Somerset Turnpikes (1707-Present)

A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Somerset. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.

Blackford 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.

Blackford Occupation & Business Records

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Somerset Pub Histories (1820-Present)

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

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

West Country Police in Glamorgan (1839-1901)

An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Blackford

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (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.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Blackford Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

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

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Blackford Church Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Somerset Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1956)

Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1582-2005)

An index to vital details engraved on over 25,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Biographical Directories Covering Blackford

Somerset Worthies, Unworthies & Villains (1500-1900)

Brief biographies of thousands of notable Somerset men.

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.

Blackford Maps

Maps of Somerset (1607-1902)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

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

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.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Blackford 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

BLACKFORD (near Wincanton) is a small parish, 3 miles east from Sparkford station on the Great Western railway and 4 ¼ west-south-west from Wincanton, in the Eastern division of the county, Whitley hundred, but locally in the hundred of Horethorne, Wincanton petty sessional division, union and county court district, rural deanery of Cary, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. This place formerly belonged to Glastonbury Abbey. The church of St. Michael is an ancient, building of stone in the Norman style, consisting of nave, south porch and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing 3 bells: within the porch is a remarkably fine Norman arch in a perfect state of preservation: the font is of early date: in the chancel is a memorial to Barnaby Dicke, a former rector, dated 1620: the church was restored in 1880, when it was new-roofed, reseated with open benches and the gallery taken down: there are sittings for 110 persons. The register dates from the year 1606. The living is a rectory, annexed to that of Compton Pauncefoot, joint net yearly value £300, including 24 acres of glebe here, with residence, in the gift of J. H. Hussey-Hunt esq. and held since 1899 by the Rev. Frederick Charles Stamer M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. Here is a Wesleyan chapel. A beautiful spring rises here, called “The Nuns’ Well.” J. H, Hussey-Hunt esq. of The Drive, Brighton, is lord of the manor and chief landowner; the Rev. Canon Thomas Prankerd Phelps B.A. of Chertsey, Surrey, also owns land here. The soil is sandy loam, and the subsoil is stone. The chief crops are corn and orchard produce, and some land in pasture. The acreage is 702; assessable value, £605; the population in 1891 was 118.

The children of this place attend the schools at Compton Pauncefoot.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Blackford

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Whitley Hundred
1White181:80.62%3
2Phillips101:140.95%50
3Darch81:186.84%781
3Syms81:1810.81%1,199
5Thomas71:200.48%22
5Hillier71:201.75%205
7Hart61:231.67%235
8Newman51:280.99%157
8Gifford51:282.99%541
8Whitemore51:289.62%1,540
11Warren41:350.51%77
11Walters41:351.53%344
11Cave41:352.92%669
11Newport41:351.94%446
11Whitelock41:359.30%1,805
16Richards31:470.24%33
16Gill31:470.75%206
16Woods31:472.08%630
16Gulliford31:471.05%308
20Fox21:700.47%192
20Francis21:700.24%70
20Hodges21:700.28%92
20Foot21:700.78%354
20Lockett21:7011.76%3,277
20Grist21:701.46%669
20Gilliford21:70100.00%10,160
27Hill11:1400.04%6
27Jennings11:1400.19%146
27Lucas11:1400.30%259
27Hook11:1400.57%518
27Coward11:1400.61%555
27Bushell11:14016.67%6,245
27Evens11:1407.14%3,674
27Weare11:1400.81%744
27Gilliam11:1404.55%2,826
27Trimby11:1402.44%1,863
27Target11:1404.55%2,826
27Dodington11:14012.50%5,187