Minehead Genealogical Records

Minehead 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.

Minehead Baptisms (1639)

A searchable database containing transcriptions of baptism registers. These records detail relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

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.

Minehead 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.

St Michael, Minehead Marriage Registers (1754-1834)

An index to marriages in St Michael, Minehead listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Minehead Marriage Registers (1639-1837)

Brief notes on marriages occurring in Minehead from 1639 to 1837.

Minehead Marriages (1745-1837)

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

Minehead Marriages (1639)

An index to marriages in between 1639 and 1639, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Minehead 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.

Minehead Monumental Inscriptions (1755-1944)

An index to vital details from monuments found at the church.

Minehead Burials (1639)

Transcriptions of records from burial registers. They may detail the deceased's name, residence and age.

St Michael the Archangel, Minehead Burial Records (1639-1844)

An index of burials recorded at St Michael the Archangel, Minehead_. 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.

Minehead 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 Minehead

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.

Western Daily Press (1858-1949)

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

Somerset County Gazette (1839-1867)

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

Minehead 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.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead Cemeteries

Minehead Monumental Inscriptions (1755-1944)

An index to vital details from monuments found at the church.

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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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 Minehead

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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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 Minehead

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.

Minehead 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.

Minehead 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

Minehead is A sea-port and borough-town, situated on the Bristol Channel, twenty-five miles west from Bridgewater, and sixty-five from Bath. The town is divided into the Upper Town, the Lower Town, and the Quay Town; which last division is by the water’s edge, under the brow of the point, or headland, which is about seven hundred feet high, and finely cultivated on the land’s side to the very top; but next the sea it is a steep rugged cliff, intermixed with shrubs and bushes; the rocks hanging to a prodigious height above the tops of the houses. To the west of the point, the shore is elevated to an immense height. The castle of Dunster, about two miles inland, is an object of no small attraction over-looking both the towns of Dunster and Minehead, John Fownes Luttrell, Esq. M. P., for Minehead, is the present possessor.

The town was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, and endowed with considerable privileges. It was formerly governed by a portreeve, but at present by two constables, annually chosen at the court-leet of the lord of the manor.

About the beginning of the last century, upwards of forty vessels traded from hence to Ireland; many others to America; and four thousand barrels of herrings were at that time shipped here annually for the Mediterranean. At present, however, this trade is nearly lost; the herrings have left the coast, and there are at present not more than a dozen vessels belonging to the port.

"Though Minehead may have long since deplored the loss of its extensive trade, some appearance of cheerfulness and animation has been given it, till within these few years, by the company which resorted thither in the summer season for the purpose of bathing. What could have occasioned the desertion of those who sought health or pleasure on its shores, is not easily to be accounted for; since it seems to unite all the advantages, without the usual concomitant inconveniences, of a bathing place. The shore is hard and fine; the machines commodious; the lodgings reasonable; provisions cheap and plenty, and its access to be rendered easy by an excellent turnpike road, which runs to Bristol. To other inducements may be added the salubrity of its climate, which, like that of Cythera, is so soft and serene, that the myrtle-tree will live in the neighbourhood of this place, uninjured, through all the roughness of an English winter. The admirer of nature also may indulge his pursuits here in various ways: the beautiful hills and precipitous cliffs offer to the botanist a variety of rare and curious plants; the shore spreads before the conchologist, a rich profusion of buccina, trochi, nerites, tellini, and other shells; and the geologist will find sufficient phenomena to employ all his sagacity, and exercise his whole talent for hypothesis. Amongst them, is the following curious appearance: about a mile from the Lower Town, on the beach leading to Dunster, at the recess of the tide, is a spot denuded, in which are discovered many roots of prodigiously large trees, peeping out of the sand, to the height of half a foot, or more. Externally these masses are unintelligible; but when crumbled between the fingers, (for they are soft and friable) the genuine colour and original texture of the wood are plainly seen. The wonder, however, remains to be told, that when the fragments are broken parallel to the grain of the wood, imbedded in the very heart are found shells, foreign to the coast of Somersetshire, in a semi-fossile state, and oak leaves, either perfect or decayed. A species of patellae, too, is very common on the rocks of Minehead, a good substitute for the famous murex of antiquity, that produced the invaluable Tyrian dye, with which the ancients stained their wool.

"Tyrio ardebat murice lana."

"A small vein, running over the head of the fish, contains this precious liquor, with which if linen be stained, and the characters exposed to different degrees of the light of the sun, they will change their hue, and become successively (from a dull white) pea-green, deep green, blue, and purple; the linen being then washed in scalding water, the marks upon it will blaze out into a splendid crimson colour, which no future washings can obliterate."

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

MINEHEAD is a seaport, market town and parish, on the southern shore of the Bristol Channel and on the road from Williton to Lynton, in Devon, and is the terminus of the West Somerset branch of the Great Western railway, 25 miles north-west from Taunton, 26 north-west from Bridgwater, 9 north-west from Williton and 2 ½ northwest from Dunster, in the Western division of the county, union and county court district of Williton, hundred of Carhampton, Dunster petty sessional division, rural deanery of Dunster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. Minehead is divided into three parts, viz.: Quay Town, Lower Town and Higher Town: the first is the port, and consists of one long street running by the side of the harbour and sea. The Lower Town contains the principal shops, hotels, the Parade and the Avenue (the latter containing some good residences and lodging houses), and a row of private houses called “The Parks.” Higher Town includes the parish church, the vicarage, schools and several private houses. The town has suffered much from fires; on one occasion 90 houses were burnt and not rebuilt. It has recently been much improved by the erection of new shops and houses and several public buildings, Minehead was created an Urban Sanitary District, April 27, 1891, but under the provisions of the “Local Government, 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 by a company, from works at Quay Town, and is plentifully supplied with water obtained from the neighbouring hills by a company.

The pier, completed in 1901, was erected by a company formed in 1899, and is 700 feet long and 24 feet wide, expanding to 76 feet at the head, and is 20 feet above high water at ordinary spring tides; it is constructed of cast iron and steel, and outside the head of the pier is a timber landing stage for steamers: there are also four landing platforms to suit the varying height of the tide: a part of the old harbour wall has been rebuilt, and the slip-way reconstructed: the whole of the works, as well as the designing of the pier, was carried out under the superintendence of Mr. John J. Webster M. Inst. C.E.: the total cost amounted to £12,000: a sea wall and esplanade, 500 yards in length, was built in 1901, at a cost of £3,500, and affords a pleasant promenade. The church of St. Michael is a large edifice of stone in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of seven bays, north aisle with eastern chapel, south porch and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing a clock with chimes and 8 bells: in the church is a recumbent effigy of a knight in armour, with his feet resting on a dog: there is also a monument, with effigy, said to commemorate Henry de Bracton, or Bretton, a justice of the King’s Bench, temp. Hen. III. reputed to have been born at Bratton, in this parish, and who died c. 1267: in the chapel of the north aisle, now used as a vestry room, is an ancient and richly-carved communion table: the arch dividing the chancel from the nave is of oak, finely carved: there is an ancient font enriched with carving: in a niche, on the south side of the tower, is a statue of St. Michael, and there are monuments to the Quirck family, 1613—1724: in 1887—9 the Church was thoroughly restored, new roofed and reseated, at a cost of £4,401, and affords sittings for 500 persons. The registers date from the year 1548, and record that in 1550 the plague raged here, and that 50 persons were buried in October, and 21 in November, and that in 1645 and 1654 the plague again visited the place. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £200, including 26 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of George Fownes Luttrell esq. and held since 1899 by the Rev. Francis McDonald Etherington, Assoc, of King’s College, London. The church of St. Andrew, in Wellington square, erected in 1880 at a cost of £3,400, is a building of stone in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave of three bays, north aisle, south porch and a bell-cot containing 2 bells: the church was erected and endowed entirely at the cost of Charlotte Ann, the late wife of the present vicar, d. Oct. 10, 1887, to whom the stained east window, erected in 1888, is a memorial: there are 400 sittings. The Catholic church, in Alcombe road, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, was erected in 1896 at a cost of £700, and enlarged in 1900 by the addition of a north aisle, at a cost of £300, and will seat 250 persons. The Baptist chapel, built in 1832, affords 200 sittings. The Wesleyan chapel, built in 1877 and enlarged in 1886, seats 500. The Town Hall, a handsome building of stone, designed by the late Mr. J. P. St. Aubyn, architect, was erected in 1888—9, by a company, at a cost of about £4,000, and contains a concert hall, 70 by 35 feet, seating about 550 persons; the water, gas and railway companies have offices here. The Masonic Hall, in Bank street, is a building of stone, erected in 1895 at a cost of £1,000. The Market House in the Parade is about to be (1901) rebuilt, at a cost of £1,700, from plans by W. J. Tamlyn, architect, containing market hall, and above a Council Room and Surveyor’s office. The principal hotels are the “Hotel Metropole,” the “Beach,” the “Feathers,” the “Wellington” and the Hopcott Private Hotel, which is situated on high ground with an uninterrupted view, and there are also many lodging houses. Tanning is carried on. The harbour here is considered one of the best and safest in the Bristol channel. Here is a coast-guard station. The Institute, in Bank street, erected in 1896 at a cost of £800, is of stone, and consists of a reading room and other rooms for young men, and a room for parish purposes. The statue of Queen Anne, in Wellington square, formerly in St. Michael’s church, is of white marble, and stands on a pedestal of red granite: it was presented to the town in 1719 by Sir Jacob Banks, who formerly represented the borough in Parliament, and was re-erected, with a canopy, in its present position in 1893 by public subscription. In the old market place are eleven almshouses, and on a brass plate over the door of No. 5 is inscribed: “Robert Quirck, son of James Quirck, built this house, ano. 1630, and doth give into the use of the poore of this parish for ever, and for better maintenance, I doe give my two inner sellers at the inner ende of the key, and cursed be tha man that shall convert it to any other use than to the use of the poore, 1630. Gods providence is my inheritance.-R. Q.” The founder, by his will dated July 4, 1648, gave £200 for the support and repair of the almshouses. The Cow charity, producing £70 yearly, is distributed in clothing and blankets. Elizabeth Pearce’s charity, being the interest of £500, and J. F Dugdale’s, being the interest of £400, are distributed to the poor every 24th December. Sullivan’s charity, the interest of £100 yearly, is distributed in January. Between Myne rocks and Greenaleigh, in a deep glen, are the ruins of a very ancient chapel called “Burgundy.” Bratton Court, now occupied as a farm by Mr. Thomas Lovelace, is an ancient place, and claims (with Bratton Clovelly) to have been the birth-place and residence of the celebrated lawyer and judge, Henry de Bracton, who died about 1267. Minehead Recreation Ground, formed in 1899, consisting of 7 acres of good turf, and contains a grand stand capable of holding nearly 1,000 people; polo, cricket, and athletic meetings are held here. The golf links are situated to the east of the Parade, and consist of 18 holes, with both natural and partly artificial hazards. George Fownes Luttrell esq. of Dunster Castle, who is lord of the manor, the Earl of Lovelace and Sir Charles Thomas Dyke Acland bart. of Killerton, Devon, are the chief landowners.

Under the provisions of Section I., Sub-section III., of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), the original civil parish of Minehead has been divided into two parishes, Minehead and Minehead Without, the former being the same area as the Urban District, the latter the remainder of the ancient parish. The area of Minehead civil parish and Urban District is 693 acres; rateable value, £10,082; the population in 1901 was 2,500. The area of Minehead Without parish is 3,330 acres; rateable value, £2,262; population in 1901, 269.

Parochial School (mixed), erected, with master's house, in 1866, by H. F. Luttrell esq. at a cost of about £1,000, for 220 children; average attendance, 175.

School (infants’), built in 1890, & rebuilt in 1899 at a cost of £700, the old school being thrown into the mixed school; average attendance, 120.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Minehead

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Carhampton Hundred
1James611:293.90%17
2Rawle531:3425.73%446
3Passmore481:3729.45%559
4Baker401:441.16%2
5Slade381:475.37%96
6Bryant281:632.42%38
6Court281:636.73%197
8Smith261:680.60%1
9Tudball251:7120.66%759
10Webber241:741.74%26
10Graddon241:7466.67%2,049
12Mason211:857.50%317
12Warre211:8553.85%1,932
14Fry201:891.88%48
15Moggridge191:9337.25%1,568
15Priscott191:9328.36%1,286
17Martin181:991.32%28
17Dyer181:991.78%56
17Down181:995.84%288
17Edbrooke181:9926.87%1,286
21Chapman161:1112.01%73
22Burnell151:1184.85%287
22Bushen151:11834.09%1,779
24Morgan141:1271.65%69
24Rogers141:1271.26%43
24Poole141:1271.95%90
24Groves141:1276.86%451
24Sage141:1274.59%295
24Merrick141:1279.03%587
24Ellard141:12751.85%2,481
31Edwards131:1370.88%21
31Cane131:13722.81%1,451
31Preddy131:13743.33%2,313
34Jones121:1480.53%10
34Williams121:1480.44%4
34Hawkins121:1480.91%31
34Pearse121:1484.53%333
34Helman121:14866.67%3,173
39Clarke111:1611.05%52
39Knight111:1610.97%41
39Parsons111:1610.52%11
39Paul111:1613.13%243
39Langdon111:1612.07%140
39Sparkes111:16115.94%1,265
45Wills101:1781.63%113
45Sparks101:1782.60%215
45Moggeridge101:178100.00%4,470
48Allen91:1970.71%34
48Phillips91:1970.85%50
48Cox91:1970.38%8
48Hensley91:19725.71%2,081
48Stoate91:19718.00%1,593
48Neades91:19727.27%2,166
48Thristle91:19781.82%4,240
55Brown81:2220.34%9
55Hall81:2221.06%83
55Long81:2221.11%89
55Sutton81:2222.40%263
55Tucker81:2220.42%13
55Hooper81:2220.70%40
55Burnett81:2222.90%324
55Floyd81:2228.00%918
55Summerfield81:22253.33%3,536
55Crockford81:22216.33%1,627
55Pugsley81:2224.68%526
55Hurford81:2222.77%306
55Pearl81:22247.06%3,277
55Trebble81:2229.52%1,074
55Mulcahy81:22253.33%3,536
55Siderfin81:22247.06%3,277
55Tudbale81:222100.00%5,187
72Palmer71:2540.42%15
72Bond71:2540.75%61
72Atkins71:2542.64%333
72Jeffery71:2542.70%347
72FitzGerald71:2549.46%1,199
72Cornish71:2541.73%204
72Burge71:2540.92%80
72Luxton71:2545.30%691
72Escott71:2544.43%574
72Woolcott71:25414.29%1,627
72Wedlake71:2548.14%1,057
72Pulsford71:2549.72%1,227
72Shrives71:254100.00%5,654
72Ollerhead71:254100.00%5,654
72Northcombe71:25425.93%2,481
87Hill61:2960.24%6
87Moore61:2960.69%68
87Newton61:2961.48%203
87Howe61:2961.17%150
87Milton61:2961.71%248
87Jervis61:29624.00%2,616
87Vickery61:2961.08%131
87Badcock61:2965.56%845
87Standen61:29630.00%2,987
87Boddy61:29622.22%2,481
87Spark61:29630.00%2,987
87Gribble61:29630.00%2,987
87Hillyer61:29628.57%2,915
87Ridler61:2965.04%769
87Staddon61:2966.82%1,028
87Folley61:29637.50%3,399
87Addicott61:2963.70%563
87Moorman61:29621.43%2,419
87Creech61:2969.23%1,315
87Floyde61:29611.32%1,514
87Bungey61:296100.00%6,245
87Truscotte61:296100.00%6,245
87Rivorth61:296100.00%6,245
110Jenkins51:3550.97%148
110Nicholls51:3551.42%245
110Dickinson51:35513.16%1,965
110Carpenter51:3550.92%134
110Christian51:355100.00%6,987
110Boucher51:3556.67%1,185
110Woodland51:3551.52%266
110Sloman51:3556.33%1,142
110Chidgey51:3551.82%325
110Thresher51:3555.43%984
110Night51:35531.25%3,399
110Paramore51:35533.33%3,536
110Verren51:355100.00%6,987
110Winsborough51:35562.50%5,187
124Lewis41:4440.26%18
124Hunt41:4440.28%23
124McKenzie41:4448.00%1,593
124Hamilton41:4443.03%691
124Reed41:4440.55%88
124Woods41:4442.78%630
124Cunningham41:44422.22%3,173
124Winter41:4440.74%136
124Pope41:4440.65%112
124Horne41:4444.26%966
124Monk41:44410.00%1,901
124Jeffries41:4445.13%1,151
124Grover41:44450.00%5,187
124Glanville41:44410.26%1,932
124Hellier41:4442.29%516
124Handford41:4448.51%1,681
124Stace41:444100.00%7,808
124Greedy41:4441.61%363
124Odam41:444100.00%7,808
124Venting41:44410.81%2,008
124Gelly41:444100.00%7,808
124Shewen41:444100.00%7,808
124Midler41:444100.00%7,808
147Cooper31:5920.41%87
147Watts31:5920.23%29
147Lawrence31:5920.42%92
147Hayward31:5920.60%160
147Stokes31:5920.79%218
147Gough31:5921.17%349
147Kenyon31:59242.86%5,654
147Edmonds31:5921.67%504
147Symons31:5922.46%754
147Prescott31:5921.91%580
147Broomfield31:5923.26%984
147Gard31:5923.16%960
147Amery31:5926.00%1,593
147Hake31:5923.49%1,057
147Lyddon31:5926.12%1,627
147Rowcliffe31:59233.33%4,797
147Capron31:592100.00%8,898
147Gaye31:59242.86%5,654
147Nurcombe31:5929.09%2,166
147Sharkes31:592100.00%8,898
167Taylor21:8880.08%7
167Thomas21:8880.14%22
167Harris21:8880.09%12
167Davis21:8880.08%5
167Cook21:8880.14%24
167Anderson21:8881.83%832
167Griffiths21:8880.72%319
167Dixon21:8882.41%1,086
167Payne21:8880.19%49
167Marsh21:8880.25%74
167May21:8880.47%191
167Willis21:8880.40%161
167Gibbs21:8880.24%72
167Norman21:8880.28%95
167Short21:8880.44%176
167Bowden21:8880.57%245
167Talbot21:8880.56%235
167Gardener21:8881.79%810
167Snow21:8881.75%798
167Jefferies21:8880.72%323
167Ferris21:8880.88%400
167Gifford21:8881.20%541
167Hawker21:8880.83%377
167Merchant21:8881.43%657
167Chubb21:8881.60%734
167Dingle21:88811.76%3,277
167Goldsworthy21:8881.89%858
167Slee21:8889.52%2,915
167Sully21:8880.43%170
167Jury21:88816.67%4,036
167Kingdon21:8882.53%1,142
167Aplin21:8880.94%431
167Vicary21:8882.08%953
167Start21:88814.29%3,674
167Lewry21:88866.67%8,898
167Bindon21:8881.56%711
167Gimblett21:8888.70%2,758
167Crudge21:88813.33%3,536
167Moreman21:88866.67%8,898
167Luttrell21:88811.76%3,277
167Boord21:888100.00%10,160
167Nole21:888100.00%10,160
167Setheren21:888100.00%10,160