Southwold Genealogical Records

Southwold 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.

Southwold Baptism Registers (1602-1801)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold Marriage Registers (1813-1837)

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

Southwold Marriage Registers (1602-1802)

An index to marriages in Southwold from 1602 to 1802, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

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.

Sudbury Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1782-1814)

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

Southwold 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.

Southwold Burial Registers (1602-1904)

Burial records for people buried at Southwold between 1602 and 1904. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age.

St Edmund, Southwold Burial Records (1813-1900)

Burial records covering those buried at St Edmund, Southwold_. 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.

Southwold 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 Southwold

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.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

Daily Mirror (1914-1918)

Digital images, searchable by text, of a British daily tabloid.

Southwold Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1751-1818)

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

Norwich Diocese Probate Index (1370-1603)

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

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold 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, Eastern Division Poll Book (1832)

A book recording people who voted, who they voted for and where the voter lived.

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold Land & Property Records

Suffolk, Eastern Division Poll Book (1832)

A book recording people who voted, who they voted for and where the voter lived.

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold Cemeteries

Southwold Cemetery Index (1951-2002)

A list of those buried in the cemetery, including age, residence and occupation.

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold 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 Southwold

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold Church Records

Southwold Parish Registers (1602-1904)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though useful to the present also.

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 Southwold

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.

Southwold 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.

Southwold 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

Southwold, or Sowold, pleasantly seated on a hill, and almost surrounded by the sea and the river Blythe, which has a bridge that leads into the town. In the year 1747 an act passed for effectually cleansing and opening the haven of this place, which had long been choaked up with sand.

On the east side of the town is a bay called Sole-bay, that affords good anchorage, and is sheltered by a promontory about two miles farther south, called Easton Ness. Solebay was rendered memorable by a sharp engagement between the English and Dutch fleets on the 28th of May, 1672, in which the Earl of Sandwich lost his life.

Here is, besides the great Guildhall, another in the market-place for the dispatch of petty affairs, which, with the church and other structures, afford an agreeable prospect both by sea and land.

On the cliff are two batteries, one of which is a regular fortification, with a good parapet and six guns; the other has only two guns.

On this hill, and several others that are near it, are the remains of a camp; and where the ground has not been broken up there are tokens of circular tents, formerly called by the people Fairy-hills, round which they supposed the fairies were wont to dance.

Southwold was rendered a town corporate in the year 1489, and is governed by two bailiffs, a recorder, and inferior officers; but it sends no member to parliament. It is a pleasant, populous town, and consists, according to the late population act, of 348 houses, and 1676 inhabitants.

The first chapel was thought to have been built here in the reign of King John, but was destroyed by fire about 220 years after its erection. The present chapel was finished about the year 1460, and was afterwards made parochial. It is 143 feet in length, of which the chancel is 43, and the tower 20, and it is 56 feet broad. The ceiling of the chancel was handsomely painted, and the painting over the skreen in the nave is very fresh. Every pew was decorated with the representations of birds, beasts, satyrs, and the like; but these suffered greatly in the reign of Henry the Eighth. The tower is above 100 feet high, and is a handsome piece of architecture, composed of free-stone, intermixed with flints of various colours. There is here a meeting-house of Protestant dissenters of the denomination of Independents.

The entrance into the haven is on the south side of the town, but was subject to be choaked up, till an act of parliament was passed, as we have already observed, for repairing and improving it, and for erecting piers for its security: accordingly, one pier was built on the north side of the port in 1749, and another on the south in 1752. When the free British fishery began to be established in 1740, the Pelham and Carteret busses arrived in this harbour from Shetland, and in 1751 buildings and conveniences began to be erected for the making and tanning of nets, and depositing stores; two docks were also made, and many other improvements, so that in 1753, no less than 38 busses sailed from this port. The other trade of this place consists in the home fishery, which employs several small boats, and here they make and refine salt, prepare and export red herrings, red sprats, malt, and corn; and import coals, cinders, and the like. The inhabitants likewise carry on a coasting trade in wool, corn, timber, and lime. Southwold has a tolerable weekly market on Thursdays, indifferently served with provisions.

Southwold was at first a small place, consisting only of a few fishermen’s huts, but in proportion as they succeeded, they built houses for themselves, and at length became rivals to Dunwich and the other neighbouring towns.

Henry the Seventh made this town a free borough, and ordered it to be governed by the above-mentioned officers. This town had several benefactions from that king and his son Henry the Eighth, which enabled the merchants to fit out upwards of fifty vessels, and these they employed abroad in the cod fishery, while the industry of those employed on the coast, in catching herrings and other fish, was also very conducive to the improvement of the town; but when Henry the Eighth shook off the Pope’s supremacy, the fishery began to decline, though the inhabitants still carried it on, and at the same time engaged in the trade of corn, malt, timber, coals, butter, and cheese.

On the 35th of April, 1659, there happened a dreadful fire at Southwold, which, in the space of four hours, consumed the town-hall, market-house, prison, granaries, warehouses, and 238 dwelling-houses, besides the fish-houses, tackle-houses, and other out-houses; and the greatest part of the moveable goods, nets, and tackle of the inhabitants, with all their corn, fish, coals, and other commodities; the loss of which amounted to upwards of 40, 000l. an immense sum at that time, and ruined above 300 families. This disaster obliged many to seek for habitations in other places, insomuch that the town, which was in a flourishing condition previous to this dreadful calamity, never recovered its former splendour. All the court-baron rolls have been destroyed, by which means the copyholders of the corporation are become freeholders. There is still a great resort of mariners to this town, and it carries on a considerable trade.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

SOUTHWOLD is a bathing-place and seaport, municipal borough and parish, bounded on the east by the German ocean, by a creek on the north and west and the navigable river Blyth on: the south; it is 9 miles east from Halesworth, 12 south-south-west from Lowestoft and 110 from London by rail and 121 by water, in the Northern division of the county, Blything hundred and union, Halesworth county court district, rural deanery of North Dunwich, archdeaconry of Suffolk and diocese of Norwich. It was anciently called Sudwald or Southwood, in all probability from an adjacent wood, for the western boundaries still retain the appellation of Wood’s End Marshes and Wood’s End Creek. Here are many marine villas and residences, commanding splendid views of the German ocean, and between these and the sea beautiful promenades have been laid out along the cliffs, with seats and shelters. The Corporation have recently (1900) spent large sums in improving the front and protecting the town from the sea. A pier (270 yards in length) was erected in 1900, by the Coast Development Co. Lim. and here the Belle steamers call on their way from London, Clacton-on-Sea and Yarmouth. A single line of railway, 8 ¾ miles in length, opened Sept. 1879, connects this town with the Great Eastern main line at Halesworth; it is peculiar as having a 3—feet gauge, and is constructed along the valley of the river Blyth, passing through the villages of Holton, Blythford, Wenhaston and Blythwood, crossing the Blyth on an iron swing viaduct of 146 feet span. The town, which is pleasantly seated on a hill, with, a fine common on the south, is in the form of a triangle and is well paved, lighted with gas by the Southwold Gas Co. and plentifully provided with water from water works on the common: it was first incorporated by Henry VII. whose charter was confirmed and extended by Henry VIII. and other sovereigns, and is governed by a corporation, consisting of a mayor, four aldermen, twelve common councilmen, town clerk and borough treasurer; there is a borough commission of the peace. The church of St. Edmund is an ancient and handsome structure of flint with stone dressings, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of seven bays, aisles, handsome south porch and an embattled western tower over 100 feet high containing a clock and 8 bells, two of which have been recast: the chancel has a panelled and painted roof, and has been refloored: a quantity of the original tiles discovered during recent restorations are now preserved in the vestry: the roof is of oak and the compartments over the choir are painted with figures of angels holding scrolls, containing in old English characters the “Te Deum Laudamus” and the “Nunc Dimittis”: the open rood screen has exquisitely-fretted spirelets and gracefully-intricate carved work; the lower portion is panelled and adorned with painted figures of Apostles and Saints: the font is of stone, elaborately carved, and with the pulpit, a splendid specimen of carved oak and richly painted, and screens are of the same date as the church: the stalls are also finely carved in oak: there is also an oak chest beautifully carved with a representation of St. George and the Dragon: at the north end of the rood screen is a Jack in Armour, finely carved and painted, in oak: this “Jack smite the Clock,” as it is called, is used to announce to the congregation the commencement of every service; a large and powerful organ was erected in the chancel in 1887, at a cost, including the organ loft, of £3,000: the east window is a memorial to Miss Sheriff, 1870, and there are others to George Vanneck Blois, 1874, Spencer Remnant, 1878 and to the late W. H. Elmy esq.: the church was restored and re-seated, and a new lead roof placed on the north aisle in 1878, at a cost of £160, and affords about 1,300 sittings. The register, in good preservation, dates from the year 163. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £142, with 1 acre of glebe and residence, in the gift of Simeon's trustees, and held since 1895 by the Rev. Claude Hope Sutton MA. of Exeter College, Oxford. The Congregational chapel, built in 1837, seats 500; the Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1837, has sittings for 300 persons. The Plymouth Brethren have a hall in Station road, seating 70. On the 25th April, 1659, a fire occurred here, which within the space of four hours consumed the town hall, prison, granaries and 238 dwelling houses; the loss sustained by the inhabitants was estimated at upwards of £40,000. Southwold has a maritime trade, which derived great advantage during the middle of the last century from the construction of two piers, tending greatly to the improvement of the harbour Herrings, sprats, smelts and shrimps are caught here for the London market, and the sole and cod fishery is carried on: there is also a brewery, a rope walk, an iron foundry, and a laundry: also two large boarding schools, the Eversley House for boys and the St. Felix, for girls. Two lifeboats are stationed here, one of which, the “Rescue,” was presented in 1897 by the late John Boulderston Barkworth esq. of Southleigh, Havant, Hants, together with funds to build a new boat house: the other boat is the “Alfred Corrie ’’; there are also pilot boats and a life-saving rocket apparatus and a coastguard station. The lighthouse, on the north cliff, was erected in 1890; the light is of 800 candle power and occults twice every twenty seconds. The common is used for golf, lawn tennis, cricket and other games. The Centre Cliff hotel, opened in 1887, is a large and fine building, standing in its own grounds, which extend to the sea. The Marlborough Hotel, opened in 1900, also commands an extensive view of the German Ocean. A fair is held annually on Trinity Monday and the two following days. The Sailors’ Reading Room, on the East cliff, erected in 1864, contains billiard and bagatelle tables, and is well supplied with newspapers. At Gun Hill cliff is a breakwater, and on the Gun hill is a battery of six 18—pounders, presented to the Corporation in 1745 by H.R.H, the Duke of Cumberland K.G. In the year 1665 the English, and Dutch fleets had an engagement in Sole Bay, the former under the Duke of York and Prince Rupert, in which the Dutch were completely defeated, but the Earls of Portland and Marlborough fell in the engagement: a second battle was fought on the 28th of May, 1672, between the English, under the command of the Duke of York, and the Dutch, under De Ruyter. Sutherland House, in the High street, was the residence of James II. when Duke of York, from 1666 to 1672: the ceilings of the reception room and state bedchamber are decorated with the royal badges of England and France, and are unique and perfect specimens of the art of that period. The Corporation are lords of the manor and principal landowners. The area is 611 acres of land and 9 of tidal water and 25 of foreshore; the soil is sand and gravel; rateable valua £13,125; and the population of the municipal borough and parish in 1891 was 2,311 and in 1806, 2,870.

PLACES OF WORSHIP with times of Services.

St. Edmund’s church, Rev. Claude Hope Sutton MA. vicar; 10.30 a.m.; children’s service 3 p.m.; evensong 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.; Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays, 11 a.m.; Sundays 8 a.m.; Saints’ Days 8 a.m.; daily, 6.0 p.m.

Congregational, High street, Rev. John Jones; 10.45: a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Plymouth Brethren, Station road, 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tues. & Fri. 7.45 p.m.

Wesleyan, East green, Rev. Joshua Holmes; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Bethel Mission, East green, Sundays 6.30 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m.; Fri. Gospel temperance meeting 7.30 p.m.

St. Edmund’s Parish Room, Mill lane; Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. & according to notice.

SCHOOLS

The School of Industrial Art in Park lane, erected in 1895, by Arthur Flower esq. for the free teaching of wood carving, is an edifice in the Elizabethan style, & has upwards of 50 students.

National School, erected in, 1856, & enlarged in 1895, for 160 boys, 150 girls & 150 infants; average attendance, 146 boys, 130 girls & 140 infants.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1900)

Most Common Surnames in Southwold

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Blything Hundred
1Palmer581:366.19%31
2Hurr561:3891.80%1,123
3Smith491:430.64%1
4Rogers431:499.21%119
5Watson341:626.24%93
6Waters311:6814.83%351
7Goldsmith301:706.77%127
7Welton301:7014.42%353
9Stannard271:783.67%57
10May261:8114.36%421
11Brown251:840.97%2
12Wright231:921.04%4
13Denny221:966.16%181
13Doy221:9625.29%843
15Blowers211:1006.21%194
16Button191:1114.60%142
16Ladd191:11152.78%1,620
18Chapman181:1172.01%32
18Critten181:11781.82%2,213
20Green171:1241.13%11
20Land171:12422.37%953
20Wigg171:1248.90%393
20Naunton171:12427.87%1,123
24Manning161:1322.41%70
25Taylor151:1400.76%7
25Newson151:1402.20%65
25Folkard151:1409.04%458
28Cooper141:1500.86%10
28Crickmore141:15012.84%688
28Wayth141:15058.33%2,116
31Winter131:16211.30%645
31Laws131:1626.95%404
31Baggott131:16220.97%1,106
34Thompson121:1761.57%52
34Carter121:1761.49%43
34Spence121:17618.18%1,056
34Fish121:17610.26%633
34Mayhew121:1761.63%58
34Cannell121:17635.29%1,694
34Gillings121:17611.01%688
34Powditch121:176100.00%3,101
42Upcroft111:191100.00%3,281
43King101:2110.51%6
43Mitchell101:2112.71%173
43Simpson101:2111.35%55
43Holden101:2113.31%231
43Lord101:2115.78%439
43Jarvis101:2113.22%223
43Child101:21125.64%1,525
43Peck101:2111.30%50
43Girling101:2111.49%67
43Wentworth101:21158.82%2,583
43Cragie101:211100.00%3,464
43Oldring101:21137.04%1,975
55Robinson91:2341.08%38
55Sinclair91:23452.94%2,583
55Reeve91:2341.14%45
55Boyce91:2344.52%372
55Cobb91:2346.00%497
55Howlett91:2341.50%76
55Court91:23452.94%2,583
55Stammers91:2343.93%321
55Tooke91:23423.08%1,525
55Jellicoe91:23481.82%3,281
55Magub91:234100.00%3,717
66Bird81:2630.72%19
66Barber81:2630.85%28
66Gooding81:2631.89%130
66Herrington81:26314.55%1,214
66Bedingfield81:2638.08%759
66Jillings81:2638.25%771
66Haken81:26322.22%1,620
66Juler81:26340.00%2,347
66Muttitt81:26333.33%2,116
66Prestwidge81:263100.00%4,007
66Griffifths81:263100.00%4,007
66Sagin81:263100.00%4,007
78Edwards71:3010.91%50
78Ward71:3010.57%14
78Parker71:3010.66%22
78Barnes71:3011.67%135
78Porter71:3012.24%221
78Hammond71:3010.56%13
78Skinner71:3015.07%539
78Kent71:3011.55%123
78Short71:3016.80%731
78Snowden71:3018.05%843
78Claxton71:3017.29%776
78Youngs71:3014.52%488
78Prime71:3014.86%524
78Deal71:30121.88%1,766
78Goffin71:3018.54%894
78Tuthill71:3018.86%920
78Lowne71:30131.82%2,213
78Bokenham71:30163.64%3,281
78Blunderfield71:30153.85%2,968
78Pendrey71:301100.00%4,408
78Buttitude71:301100.00%4,408
78Clarkmoor71:301100.00%4,408
100Moore61:3510.50%17
100Allen61:3510.77%47
100Wells61:3511.10%91
100Hudson61:3513.55%449
100Lane61:3517.50%911
100Cross61:3511.18%105
100Goodwin61:3511.49%149
100Nichols61:3512.44%294
100Meadows61:3511.44%137
100Constable61:35121.43%1,927
100Lincoln61:3515.41%676
100Lay61:3513.30%417
100Dedman61:35110.34%1,167
100Aldrich61:3514.76%590
100Weatherby61:351100.00%4,877
100Haward61:3514.55%568
100Stern61:35166.67%3,717
100Hanner61:35185.71%4,408
100Strowger61:3516.32%782
100Ruthen61:35116.67%1,620
100Brynton61:351100.00%4,877
100Ashmenall61:35185.71%4,408
122Williams51:4211.33%165
122Evans51:4212.39%351
122Campbell51:42110.87%1,356
122Powell51:4212.65%398
122Andrews51:4210.63%46
122Page51:4210.50%25
122Miles51:4212.04%295
122Osborne51:4210.99%106
122Warner51:4211.11%124
122Finch51:4210.97%101
122McArthur51:42150.00%3,464
122Hare51:4218.33%1,146
122Sargent51:4212.87%436
122Byrne51:42141.67%3,101
122Trueman51:42162.50%4,007
122Garrod51:4210.87%83
122Woodgate51:4212.34%343
122Boyden51:4219.43%1,243
122Ruthven51:421100.00%5,441
122Debney51:42141.67%3,101
122Adnams51:42183.33%4,877
122Elmy51:4218.93%1,196
122Shimmon51:42119.23%2,023
122Vertue51:42155.56%3,717
122Vurley51:421100.00%5,441
122Bridal51:421100.00%5,441
122Whitwall51:421100.00%5,441
122Tillmouth51:421100.00%5,441
150Roberts41:5271.20%202
150Howard41:5270.56%59
150Spencer41:5273.67%688
150Bacon41:5271.41%243
150Harrington41:5274.76%870
150Skelton41:52713.33%1,861
150Buckingham41:5273.03%568
150Symonds41:5271.58%278
150Fitch41:5271.72%317
150Money41:52713.79%1,891
150Wolfe41:52712.12%1,731
150Calver41:5270.97%145
150Chipperfield41:5273.48%645
150Whyatt41:5275.41%969
150Ecclestone41:52711.76%1,694
150Chaston41:5274.76%870
150Fryett41:5274.60%843
150Grindell41:527100.00%6,084
150Upcraft41:52736.36%3,281
150Soans41:52750.00%4,007
150Ludbroke41:52716.00%2,072
171Wilson31:7020.52%82
171Clark31:7020.32%29
171Jackson31:7020.73%142
171Baker31:7020.18%9
171McKenzie31:70212.00%2,072
171Fisher31:7020.45%69
171Harvey31:7020.28%21
171Harding31:7021.69%429
171Goddard31:7020.55%94
171Whitaker31:7028.57%1,649
171Ireland31:70218.75%2,667
171Grey31:7024.00%963
171Church31:7022.00%497
171Sawyer31:7020.75%153
171Downing31:7021.26%308
171Cornish31:7020.94%214
171Power31:70237.50%4,007
171Balls31:7020.36%35
171Friend31:7021.45%355
171Garratt31:70250.00%4,877
171Spink31:7021.91%481
171McKintosh31:70250.00%4,877
171Elston31:70237.50%4,007
171Pack31:70212.00%2,072
171Eves31:7027.50%1,498
171Scarlett31:7021.94%488
171Spurgeon31:7023.26%810
171Bullard31:7022.26%562
171Benstead31:7023.41%840
171Hurren31:7021.20%291
171McCowan31:70233.33%3,717
171Tuttle31:7025.00%1,146
171Grimmett31:702100.00%6,900
171Herod31:70225.00%3,101
171Quantrill31:7025.66%1,243
171Gayford31:70214.29%2,275
171Corben31:702100.00%6,900
171Ife31:7025.36%1,196
171Cantley31:702100.00%6,900
171Doddington31:70210.71%1,927
171Blois31:70213.04%2,163
171Silvestor31:702100.00%6,900