Brettenham Genealogical Records

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Baptism Records (1667-1996)

A searchable transcript of the baptism registers of Brettenham. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.

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.

British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Marriage Registers (1813-1837)

An index to marriages in Brettenham from 1813 to 1837, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Brettenham Marriage Records (1666-1969)

A searchable transcript of the marriage registers of Brettenham. Church marriage registers are the primary source for pre-1837 marriages. They may record the bride and groom's residence, the groom's occupation, parents' names, marital status and witnesses.

Ely Diocese Marriage Licences (1684-1811)

Abstracts of around 8,000 records containing details of parties who intended to marry.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1815-1839)

Abstracts of marriage licences from the Sudbury Archdeaconry. These records may contain more details than marriage registers, including occupations, ages and parents' names.

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Burial Records (1662-1991)

A searchable transcript of burials in the churchyard of Brettenham. These records essentially record deaths in and around Brettenham between 1662 and 1991.

St Mary, Brettenham Burial Records (1750-1900)

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

Suffolk Quaker Burials (1813-1837)

An index to burials recorded at Quaker meetings. The records contain the name of the deceased, the date they were buried and their age.

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.

Brettenham 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.

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

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

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A list of Suffolk householders and the number of hearths they possessed.

Suffolk Subsidy Returns (1568)

A list of taxes paid by heads of households.

Newspapers Covering Brettenham

Ipswich Journal, The (1748-1900)

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

Ipswich Journal (1720-1800)

A local paper including news from the Ipswich area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

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.

Brettenham 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.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Will Transcripts (1630-1638)

Full transcriptions of around 1,400 17th century wills from the Archdeaconry of Sudbury in Suffolk. Contains an index of all the people and places mentioned in the wills.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Will Transcripts (1439-1474)

Full transcriptions of several hundred early wills from the Archdeaconry of Sudbury in Suffolk.

Suffolk Testator Indices (1847-1857)

An index to over 10,000 names occurring in Suffolk wills.

Bury & Sudbury Calendar of Wills (1354-1535)

An index to early wills proved at the Archdeaconry Court of Sudbury and the Commissary Court of Bury St. Edmunds.

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Military Records

History of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959)

An introductory history to an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army.

A Suffolk Regiment Calendar (1685-1962)

A calendar that lists most of the important dates in the history of the Regiment.

Suffolk WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Suffolk WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

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

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.

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.

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.

England & Wales Electoral Registers (1832-1932)

Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.

Brettenham Taxation Records

Poll for the Knights of Suffolk (1830)

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

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1790)

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

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1710)

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

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

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

Suffolk Hearth Tax Returns (1674)

A list of Suffolk householders and the number of hearths they possessed.

Brettenham Land & Property Records

Poll for the Knights of Suffolk (1830)

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

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1790)

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

Poll Book for the County of Suffolk (1710)

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

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.

Brettenham Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1938)

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

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1927)

Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private residents..

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1925-1926)

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 Suffolk (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 Suffolk (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.

Brettenham Cemeteries

Suffolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Suffolk'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.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Suffolk (1086-1900)

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

Suckling's History and Antiquities of Suffolk (1066-1846)

Describes the parishes in the three hundreds of Wangford, Mutford and Lothingland, in the north-east of the county.

Suffolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Suffolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Norfolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Norfolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

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

A traveller's guide to four Southern counties.

Brettenham 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.

Brettenham Occupation & Business Records

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.

South England Mines Index (1896)

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

Lost Pubs of Suffolk (1750-Present)

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

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Brettenham

Victoria County History: Suffolk (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.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Brettenham Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Suffolk (1086-1900)

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

Suffolk Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Suffolk'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.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Brettenham Church Records

Brettenham Parish Registers (1662-1996)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though extremely useful to the present. Their records can assist tracing a family as far back as 1662.

Suffolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Suffolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

Norfolk Church Histories (1000-Present)

Histories of Norfolk's parish churches, illustrated with a plethora of photographs.

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.

British Church Albums (1990-Present)

Photographs of churches of all denominations throughout England and part of Wales.

Biographical Directories Covering Brettenham

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.

Brettenham Maps

Essex and Suffolk Maps (1360-1910)

A collection of maps plotting the counties of Essex and Suffolk, and some of their settlements.

Maps of Suffolk (1607-1886)

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.

Brettenham 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

Bretenham, a village seated near the spring-head of the river Breton. Some antiquarians maintain that it is the Combretonium of Antoninus, which they say is evident, both from the sound and signification of the name; and, according to a late survey of this county, there is a camp about a quarter of a mile to the south-west of it. Horsley, however, will not allow this place to have been a Roman town, but fixes the station at Stratford, twelve miles to the south-by-west of it.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BRETTENHAM is a parish and village, on the small river Brett, which rises in this parish, whence the name is derived, 5 miles north east from Lavenham station on the Bury and Marks Tey section of the Great Eastern railway, 7 west-south-west from Stowmarket, and 10 south.-east from Bury St. Edmunds, in the Southern division of the county, hundred and union of Cosford, Hadleigh petty sessional division, Stowmarket county court district, rural deanery of Lavenham, archdeaconry of Sudbury and diocese of Ely. The church of St. Mary is an ancient structure of flint with stone dressings, consisting of Perpendicular chancel, Decorated nave and an embattled tower on the south side containing 3 bells: the base of the tower serves as a porch: in the chancel is a piscina with ogee arch, bearing shields of the arms of the Earls of Buckingham and Stafford, patrons of the living prior to the Reformation: there are also sedilia: in the nave is another piscina, and in the porch remains of a holy waiter stoup: the font is Decorated and has a carved oak cover: the organ was erected in 1874: there are four modern stained windows, and one containing some 15th century glass: the church was thoroughly restored in 1866 under the direction of Sir A. W. Blomfield A.R.A., F.S.A, and now affords 262 sittings, 196 being free. The register dates from the year 1584. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £293, including 24 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, and held since 1859 by the Rev. Charles Jepson Betham MA. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, hon. canon of Ely, rural dean of Lavenham, and surrogate. The charities amount to 20s. yearly and there is a field the rent of which is applied to the repairs of the church; a sum of £250, left by the late Rev. George Brewster Twining, has been invested in consols for the benefit of the poor or some other object at the discretion of the rector. Brettenham Hall, the property of William Henry Herbert esq. is a large mansion, situated in a park of 150 acres: about 1830 it was for a short time the residence of Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Naples and of Spain, and brother of the first Napoleon. William Hy. Herbert esq. who is lord of the manor, the Rt. Rev. W. T. Harrison D.D. Bishop of Glasgow, Samuel Twining esq. Mr. Boyd and a few others are the landowners. The soil is principally heavy; subsoil, clay. The chief crops are wheat, beans, barley and turnips. The area of the parish is 1,558 acres; rateable value, £1,362; the population in 1801 was 336.

National School (mixed), built in 1841 & enlarged in 1871, for 80 children; average attendance, 50.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1900)

Most Common Surnames in Brettenham

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Cosford Hundred
1Currey181:1885.71%2,275
2Levitt151:2120.55%980
3Brewster121:266.03%372
3Keeble121:261.73%63
3Grimwood121:262.02%78
6Last111:290.90%16
7Moyes101:3211.76%861
7Bonnett101:329.90%747
9Whymark91:356.87%574
9Huffey91:3527.27%1,731
11Baker81:400.48%9
11Mills81:400.82%27
13Bird71:450.63%19
13Goddard71:451.29%94
13Morley71:451.69%139
13Gardiner71:452.08%197
17Andrews61:530.76%46
17Rose61:530.72%36
17Manning61:530.90%70
17Buxton61:533.11%387
17Gostling61:536.90%843
17Steggall61:536.25%776
17Horrex61:535.31%658
24Downing51:632.10%308
24Curry51:639.62%1,263
24Gooch51:630.90%89
24Rule51:6326.32%2,429
28Lister41:794.12%771
28Proctor41:793.13%585
28Nobbs41:794.60%843
28Osbourne41:7926.67%2,754
28Pearl41:792.99%558
33Jackson31:1050.73%142
33Scott31:1050.41%56
33Morris31:1052.00%497
33Winter31:1052.61%645
33Garner31:1052.83%714
33Howlett31:1050.50%76
33Wilding31:1051.11%259
33Ranson31:1051.02%237
33Bendall31:1053.70%904
33Stonham31:10575.00%6,084
33Tunwell31:105100.00%6,900
44Wright21:1580.09%4
44Clark21:1580.21%29
44Bradley21:1581.09%411
44Dyer21:1581.10%417
44Salmon21:1580.79%278
44Beale21:15811.76%2,583
44Bragg21:1584.08%1,305
44Plumb21:1581.46%545
44Stearn21:1581.55%579
44Hoddy21:15812.50%2,667
54Cooper11:3160.06%10
54Parker11:3160.09%22
54Warren11:3160.17%80
54Holden11:3160.33%231
54Norris11:3161.25%911
54Beaumont11:3160.31%210
54Waller11:3160.57%431
54Pitt11:3160.98%742
54Lester11:3162.44%1,472
54Edgar11:3162.13%1,336
54Hawes11:3160.29%188
54Chester11:3163.85%2,023
54Elmer11:3160.41%300
54Kersey11:3160.45%326
54Bradbrook11:3160.86%639
54Molton11:3164.00%2,072
54Risby11:3161.54%1,073
54Bramford11:3165.88%2,583
54Betham11:316100.00%9,362