West Stow Genealogical Records

West Stow 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.

West Stow Baptism Records (1558-1850)

A searchable transcript of West Stow baptism registers. The transcriptions essentially record births in and around West Stow between 1558 and 1850. Details may include residence, father's occupation and more.

West Stow Baptisms (1558-1850)

Transcriptions of records from baptism registers. They document parents' names, date of baptism and/or birth, residence, occupations 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow Marriage Registers (1813-1836)

Brief notes on marriages occurring in West Stow from 1813 to 1836.

West Stow Marriages (1560-1850)

A transcript of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

West Stow Marriage Records (1558-1850)

A searchable transcript recording marriages solemnised at West Stow between 1558 and 1850. Details may include residence, marital status and witnesses.

Ely Diocese Marriage Licences (1684-1811)

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

West Stow 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.

West Stow Burial Records (1558-1850)

A searchable transcription of the burial registers of West Stow. Burials are the primary source for pre-1837 death documentation. They may record the date and or death of the deceased, their age, residence, name of a relations and more.

West Stow Burials (1558-1850)

A searchable transcription of the burial registers of the church. Burials are the primary source for pre-1837 death documentation. They may record the date and or death of the deceased, their age, residence, names of a relations and more.

St Mary, West Stow Burial Records (1558-1900)

Burial records covering those buried at St Mary, West Stow_. 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.

West Stow 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 West Stow

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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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 West Stow

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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow Church Records

West Stow Parish Registers (1558-1850)

The parish registers of West Stow are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths from 1558 to 1850.

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 West Stow

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.

West Stow 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.

West Stow 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

WEST STOW is a parish on the north bank of the river Lark, 2 ½ miles west from Ingham station on the Bury and Thetford branch of the Great Eastern railway, and 4 north-north-west from Bury St. Edmunds, in the North Western division of the county, Thingoe and Thedwastre petty sessional division, Blackbourn hundred, Thingoe union, Bury St. Edmunds county court district, rural deanery of Thingoe, archdeaconry of Sudbury and diocese of Ely. The church of St. Mary is a building of stone and flint in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch and embattled western tower containing 6 bells and a clock, presented in 1884: there are memorial windows to the Rev. E. R. Benyon, of Culford Hall, d. 7 July, 1883, and Jane, his wife, d. Jan. 1876: a new organ was provided in 1884, at a cost of £136, in memory of Rev. E. R. Benyon: there are 250 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a discharged rectory, with that of Wordwell annexed, joint net yearly value £170, with 30 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Richard Benyon Berens esq. of St. Mary Cray, Kent, and held since 1882 by the Rev. Arthur Hamilton Pemberton MA. of Christ’s College, Cambridge. West Stow Hall, built in the 16th century, a singular specimen of brick construction, was the residence of Sir John Croftes bart. master of the horse to Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France, whose arms, with those of her second husband, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, are distinguishable on the exterior of the building; in the room of the gate house are some paintings on the wall, representing four periods of a man’s life-A youth hawking is inscribed “Thus do I all the day;” a young man making love to a maiden is made to say, “Thus do I while I may;”a middle-aged man pointing to a young couple, “Thus did I while I might;” while the aged man hobbling onwards bitterly exclaims, “Good Lord, will this world last for ever ?” The Hall is now occupied by a farm steward. Earl Cadogan K.G., P.C. is lord of the manor and sole owner of the land. The soil is light and sandy; subsoil, clay and chalk. The chief crops are rye, barley and lupine, and a portion of pasture land. The area is 2,937 acres of land and 4 of water; assessable value, £1,104; the population in 1891 was 193.

National School (mixed), erected in 1846, to hold 60 children; average attendance, 49.

Kelly's Directory of Suffolk (1900)

Most Common Surnames in West Stow

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Blackbourn Hundred
1Dorling211:98.30%278
2Arbin151:1365.22%2,163
3Marsh141:133.84%175
4Foreman111:173.11%184
5Seaden91:2169.23%2,968
6Jolly71:272.51%247
6Forman71:2721.21%1,731
8Wright61:310.27%4
8Clarke61:310.24%3
8Holmes61:311.52%154
8Bird61:310.54%19
8Fenner61:3110.53%1,182
8Craske61:3110.34%1,167
14Evans51:382.39%351
14Palmer51:380.53%31
14Hensby51:388.93%1,196
17Mead41:473.77%714
17Rolfe41:471.19%197
17Murrell41:474.30%800
17Rickwood41:4720.00%2,347
21Hayden31:6342.86%4,408
21Vale31:637.32%1,472
21Bartle31:6315.79%2,429
21Devereux31:634.62%1,073
25Fuller21:940.33%74
25Griggs21:940.75%266
25Arbon21:941.18%443
25Cheason21:9420.00%3,464
29Johnson11:1880.12%41
29Dixon11:1880.81%598
29Norman11:1880.19%101
29Steele11:1881.52%1,056
29Darby11:1882.13%1,336
29Dawes11:1883.85%2,023
29Jarman11:1881.04%776
29Spalding11:1880.39%275
29Crick11:1880.34%237
29Avis11:1881.10%818
29Argent11:1880.69%524
29Elmer11:1880.41%300
29Weavers11:1880.54%411
29Sandon11:188100.00%9,362
29Bud11:188100.00%9,362
29Dorose11:188100.00%9,362