Bristol, Gloucestershire Family History Guide

Table of Contents

Parishes

Bristol Parish Registers

Where there are Parish Registers for the individual parishes listed above these will be listed on the relevant parish pages.

Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records

These records include images of Church of England parish registers for Bristol.

Anglican Chaplaincy: Bristol General Hospital, Bristol Church of England Baptisms, 1920-1921

Anglican Chaplaincy: Bristol Maternity Hospital: Bristol General Hospital, Church of England Baptisms, 1912-1921

Anglican Chaplaincy: Bristol Royal Infirmary, Church of England Baptisms, 1912-1921

Nonconformists Registers

Registers of the French Churches of Bristol, Stonehouse, Plymouth and Thorpe Le Soken. The Publications of the Huguenot Society of London. Volume XX. Edited by Charles Edmund Lart. Printed by Spottiswoode & Co. Ltd., New Street Square, London 1912. – This book is a free download from Parishmouse

Bristol Parish Records

An Index of parish records of people from Bristol. The index includes information from the books Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations 1680-1700, Allegations for Marriage Licences issued by the Bishop of London 1611 to 1828, Allegations For Marriage Licences In Hampshire granted by the Bishop of Winchester and The Bankrupt Directory.

Marriage Licences and Allegations

Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations 1680-1700

The following have been extracted from Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations 1680-1700.

1680 July 14. Peter Saunders, Bristol city, merchant, 29, and Jane Gardner, Tewxbury, 21 : at Tewxbury, Ashchurch, Stone, Dursly or Gloucester Cathedral.

1680 Aug. 20. Thomas x Astons, Awre, cordwainer, W., and Susannah Meighen, Bristol city, 60 : at Awre or Flaxley.

Allegations for Marriage Licences issued by the Bishop of London 1611 to 1828

The records below have been extracted from the book Allegations for Marriage Licences issued by the Bishop of London 1611 to 1828

Alexander Chute, of St Andrew’s, Holborn, Gent., Bachelor, 36, & Elizabeth Holbeck, Widow, about 40, late wife of L. [sic] Holbeck, late of City of Bristol, Merchant, decd ; at Watford, co. Herts, or St Magnus, London Bridge. 1638 June 28

William Hutchinson, Gent., of St Mildred in Poultry, Bachelor, 27, & Bridget Collins, of same. Spinster, 23, dau. of John Collins, of City of Bristol, Merchant, who consents ; alleged by Henry Hutchinson, of St Mildred, Poultry, Grocer; at St Mildred, Poultry. 1629 April 25

Allegations For Marriage Licences In Hampshire granted by the Bishop of Winchester

The records below have been extracted from the book Allegations For Marriage Licences In Hampshire granted by the Bishop of Winchester

Ebsworth, Henry, of Bristol, co. Somerset, Spanish wool merchant, 21, b., & Sophia Elderton, of All Saints, Southampton, 21, sp., at A. S., 26 May, 1802. Charles-Harben Elderton, of the s., stonemason, bondsman.

Cary, William, of St. Michael’s, Bristol, co. Somerset, mariner, 21, b., & Elizabeth Tharrat, of Portsea, 21, sp., at P., 23 Sep., 1801.

Crocker, Philip, of Bristol, co. Somerset, iron-master, 30 b., & Margaret-Maria Poulson, of Petersfield, 21, sp., at P., 15 March, 1783. George Poulson, of P., brazier, bondsman.

Clements, William, of St. James, Bristol, co. Somerset, 21, b., & Elizabeth Lamb, of Portsmouth, w., at P., 26 Nov., 1781.

Curtis, Thomas, of Bristol, co. Somerset, w., and Elizabeth Hughes of Ecchinswell, sp., 6 Apl., 1759.

Cannington, Richard, of Bristol, co. Somerset, master glassmaker, 30, b., & Ann Coker, of Newport, 28, sp., 20 Feb,, 1756. John Coker, of Newport, brazier, bondsman.

Cox, Ralph, of Bristol, co. Somerset, w., & Jane Bowerman, of Holy Rood, Southampton, w., at Brooke, 5 Oct., 1726.

Edward Osboldstone, of St Peter’s Cheap, London, Skinner, & Martha Collins, late of the City of Bristol, Spinster ; at St Mildred in the Poultry, London. 1626 April 7

Bristol Strays

Abraham Smith, of Bristol, & Ann Blake, lic. 25 June 1733 – Forrabury Marriages 1676 to 1812 Cornwall Parish Registers Marriages Vol. 1

Bankrupts in Bristol 1820 to 1843

A list of people from Bristol that were declared bankrupt between 1820 and 1843.

Bristol Bankrupts from the London Gazette

Directors of Companies

The following people were listed in the Directory of Directors 1881 as directors of companies who were either living in Bristol or the company was based in Bristol or both.

Arnott – Sir John Arnott, Kt., D.L., Woodlands, Cork, is a director of –
Arnott and Company Dublin Limited
Bristol Steam Navigation Company Limited (chairman)
Cork and Macroom Direct Railway Company
John Arnott and Co of Belfast Limited
Sir John Arnott and Company Limited Cork (chairman)

Arnott – Mr M Arnott is a director of the Bristol Steam Navigation Company Limited Bristol

Bristol – Dean of Bristol, Deanery, Bristol, is a director of the Clergy Mutual Assurance Society

Brittan – Mr Henry Brittan, Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol and South Wales Railway Wagon Company Limited
Taff Vale Railway Company (chairman)

Butler – Mr William Butler, of W. Butler & Co., Bristol, is chairman of the Bristol Tramways Company, Limited.

Carpenter – Mr Robert Carpenter is a director of the Bristol City Hotel Company, Limited, Bristol

Colthurst – Mr John Colthurst is a director of the Bristol United Gas Light Company, Bristol

Dix – Mr J.W.S. Dix, is a director of the Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway Company, Queen square, Bristol

Fox Mr F. F. Fox is a Bristol director of the Northern Assurance Company, Bristol

Fox Mr Francis Frederick Fox, alderman, merchant, Bristol, is a director of the British and Irish Plate Glass Insurance Company, Limited.

Francis – Mr T Francis is a Dock director of the Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway Company, Bristol

Franklin – Mr William Franklin, Cotham park, Bristol, is a director of –
Bristol Crown Bottle Works Company Limited
Halcomb and Company Limited
London and South Western Bank Limited
Western Wagon Company Limited

Gardner – Mr Henry Gale Gardner, of Gardner, Thomas & Co., Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol City Hotel Company Limited
Bristol Tramways Company Limited
Western Provincial Land Company Limited
Western Wagon Company Limited

Gloucester and Bristol – The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, The Palace, Gloucester is a director of the University Life Assurance Society

Goodeve – Dr Henry Hurry Goodeve, M.D., Cook’s Folly, Clifton Down, Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol Port and Channel Dock Company
Bristol Port and Channel Dock Warehouse Company Limited
Bristol Port Railway and Pier Railway Company

Harford – Mr William Henry Harford, of Miles, Cave, Baillie, & Co., bankers, Bristol, is chairman of the Bristol City Hotel Company Limited

Jones – Mr John Averay Jones, of Jones & Nash, Bristol, is a director of the London and Provincial Marine Insurance Company

Jones – Mr Samuel Jones, The Firs, 115 Pembroke road, Clifton, Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol United Gas Light Company
Bristol Waterworks Company
Clifton Suspension Bridge Company
Taff Vale Railway Company

Jordan – Mr William Jordan, Berkeley square, Bristol, is a director of the Bristol College Green Hotel Company Limited

Lang – Mr Samuel Lang, of Thomas Lang & Co., iron merchants, Bristol, is a director of the –
Great Western Colliery Company Limited (chairman)
London and Staffordshire Fire Insurance Company Limited (local)

Langlands – Mr J. G. Langlands is a director of the Bristol Steam Navigation Company Limited Bristol

Leech – Mr Joseph Leech, Leigh Woods, Bristol, is a director of the –
Aberdare Railway Company
Bristol Dock Company
Bristol Waterworks Company
Clifton Suspension Bridge Company
Leigh Woods Land Company

Miles – Mr William Henry Miles, of Miles, Cave, Baillie & Co., bankers, Bristol, is chairman of the Ashton Vale Iron Company Limited

Miller – Mr George Miller, J.P., Brentry House, Westbury, near Bristol, is a director of the Bristol College Green Hotel Company Limited

Morgan – Mr George King Morgan, alderman, of Franklyn, Morgan, and Davey, tobacco manufacturers, 2, Welsh back, Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol and Portshead Pier and Railway Company (dock director)
British and Irish Plate Glass Insurance Company Limited

Robinson – Mr Elisha Smith Robinson, of E.S. & A. Robinson, printers and stationers, Redcliff street, Bristol, is a director of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier Railway Company

Southby – Rev Richard William Southby, 4, Royal park, Clifton, Bristol, is a director of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company

Spark – Mr William Spark, Clifton, near Bristol, is a director of the-
Bristol College Green Hotel Company Limited
Bristol United Gas Light Company deputy chairman

Stock – Mr Benjamin S. Stock, Bristol, is a director of the Bristol and South Wales Railway Wagon Company Limited

Taylor – Mr Henry Taylor, is a director of the Bristol City Hotel Company Limited Bristol

Vaughan – Mr P.H. Vaughan is a director of the Aberdare Railway Company Exchange buildings Bristol

Vaughan Mr R Vaughan is a director of the Aberdare Railway Company Exchange buildings Bristol

Wasbrough – Mr Henry Sydney Wasbrough, solicitor, coroner for Bristol, Clifton, Bristol, is a director of the –
Clifton Hotel Company Limited
Law Union Fire and Life Insurance Company (Gloucestershire director)

Wethered – Mr Henry Wethered, Bristol, is a director of the London and South Western Bank Limited

Wethered – Mr Joseph Wethered, colliery proprietor, Clifton, Bristol, is a director of the Great Western Colliery Company Limited

Wills – Mr Edward P Wills is a Bristol director of the Northern Assurance Company

Wills – Mr Henry Overton Wills, J.P., of W. D. & H. O. Wills, tobacco manufacturers, Bristol and London, is a director of the –
Bristol United Gas Light Company
Bristol Wagon Works Company Limited

Whitwill – Mr Mark Whitwill, of Mark Whitwill & Son, ship and insurance brokers, commission merchants, &c., Bristol, is a director of the –
Bristol Port and Channel Dock Company
British Port and Channel Dock Warehouse Company Limited
Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company (Bristol board)

Wills – Mr William Henry Wills, M.P. of W. D. & H. O. Wills, tobacco manufacturers, Bristol and London, is a director of the –
Bristol Water Works Company

Directory Transcriptions

Bristol – Commercial Directory of the Jews of Gt. Britain. 1894

Bristol Kelly’s Directory of the Wine and Spirit Trades 1884

Dictionaries

Arrowsmith’s dictionary of Bristol, ed. by H.J. Spear and J.W. Arrowsmith – archive.org

Wills

Notes or abstracts of the wills contained in the volume entitled the Great orphan book and Book of wills, in the council house at Bristol : Wadley, Thomas Procter, 1826-1895 – archive.org

History

Arrowsmiths Dictionary of Bristol 1884

BRISTOL is situated in north latitude 51° 27′ 6’3“ and west longitude 2° 35′ 28’6”. The city lies on low ground, in a somewhat triangular basin formed by the valleys of the rivers Avon and Frome; the latter a small tributary from the north east, which flows through the picturesque little valley of Glen Frome, and not to be confounded with the larger stream passing by the town of that name. Where the Avon debouches from the Conham gorge, it spreads into a broad valley which it has lined with alluvial deposits. On this low land much of the old city is situated, viz., the parts round Temple street, Marsh street, Queen square and Canons’ marsh, while High street and Redcliff hill stand on solid ground superior to the alluvial plain; part of the latter is so little above the level of high tide—though the city is seven miles by water from the mouth of the river—that at spring tide the waters have been found to overflow and fill the cellars of the houses which line the river in the Hotwells and Quays. The river Avon which here divides the counties of Gloucester and Somerset, also separates the city into two portions. The artificial bed or New Cut is excavated in the new red sandstone, which is not left uncovered along the natural course of the river, i.e., the existing Floating Harbour.

But the population have long ago, in great measure, ceased to confine their dwellings to the low ground, and extending gradually up the hills now crown all the heights with their houses, so that the Clifton Union district contains twice as many inhabitants as Bristol.
These hills are more or less broad table-lands, and we may speak of them as the north-western, the eastern plateaus, and southern ridge. The steep acclivities on the north, which we ascend in leaving Bristol, are seen to be the edge of a large plateau or palaeozoic rocks structurally, though these are sometimes masked by later rocks, such as lias, lying upon them in discordant stratification; the inclines of Granby and Clifton hill (237 feet), Brandon hill (259 feet high), are descents from this high ground towards the Hotwells. Again, the end of this upland plateau extends eastward from here by Park street along Kingsdown parade (220 feet), from whose abrupt slopes the city, with its fine church towers, may be overlooked to great advantage. The whole of this ridge so far consists of the hard, siliceous beds of the millstone grit,—dipping at a high angle, with the rest of the palaeozoic beds,—and these same grits also face the edge of the plateau on the Leigh down side of the river. To this plateau belongs Durdham down (312 feet), which is intersected by the Avon gorge, and that in so picturesque a fashion that Clifton must always be famous for its river scenery. The high land on the Leigh side is to all intents and purposes one and the same table-land with Durdham down, for the Clifton gorge has little to do with the structure of the country,—its formation is entirely subsequent to the upraising of the anticlinal arch of old reef and carboniferous rocks which either continuously or in a series of echelons runs through the district from Clevedon to Tortworth. The renowned Avon gorge is but a notch in the ridge, a mark indeed of the tooth of time, but a small matter compared to the lengthened processes by which the old palaeozoic rocks were raised in dome-shaped ridges, and were then cut down some 5,000 feet lower by the inexorable plane of denuding agents, till the shorn-off edges of the uplifted strata were left as the level table of Durdham down. The height of the Observatory hill, Clifton, is 315 feet, and that of Ashton Tump 270 feet.

To the south of the town extend the swelling slopes of Knowle and Totterdown, which extend round Dun dry hill in a belt of intermediate height, and which has for its raison d’être the existence of nearly horizontal beds of lias limestones below, harder and more capable of resisting denuding forces than the clays which have been cut back at the intermediate base of Dundry hill. The summit of this hill is 769 feet above mean sea level; the solid Jurassic beds “which crown the ridge are in the same way the cause of the existence of this high ground, which bounds the horizon for a considerable sweep on the south.

On the east of the city we have irregular high land, with an average height perhaps of 180 feet. It extends from the river Frome on the northeast to the cliffs which bound the river Avon by Conham and Brislington : it consists for the most part of coal measures, and contains the sites of numerous coalpits. It is the hard sandstones (pennant) of the coal-period which are cut through by the Avon in the picturesque windings of the river by Conham.—E. B. TAWNEY, F.G.S., Bristol and its Environs.

Bristol’s crowded thoroughfares teeming with life and activity ; its busy marts of commerce, extensive manufactories, handsome public buildings and streets ; civic, educational, commercial, scientific, religious and philanthropic institutions; its rapid increase in population, both in the city and environs, sanitary improvements, extension of docks and railways, erection of new and the restoration of old churches; its magnificent suburbs, public recreation grounds and palatial residences of merchants, manufacturers, traders and others, together with other memorable instances, all point to the fact that the city and port of Bristol has made rapid strides and is fully alive to the competition of modern times, and that it still retains its ancient prestige as one of the most important centres of the kingdom.

Source: Arrowsmith’s Dictionary of Bristol. Edited by Henry J. Spear and J. W. Arrowsmith. Bristol 1884.