Stourbridge Worcestershire Family History Guide

Stourbridge, originally a township in the parish of Old Swinford Ancient Parish, became a separate ecclesiastical parish and civil parish in 1862. It was situated in Halfshire Hundred, Stourbridge Poor Law Union, Urban Sanitary District, and Urban District. It was situated in Kidderminster Rural Deanery 1862-1907, Swinford Rural Deanery 1907-1973, and Stourbridge Rural Deanery 1974 -. The ecclesiastical boundary was altered in 1873 with the creation of Stamber Mill Ecclesiastical Parish.

Stourbridge St Thomas Ecclesiastical Parish was created in 1866 from Old Swinford Ancient Parish. It was situated in Kidderminster Rural Deanery 1866-1907, Swinford Rural Deanery 1907-1973, and Stourbridge Rural Deanery 1974 -. The ecclesiastical boundary was altered in 1953 with the creation of Norton Ecclesiastical Parish.

Parish registers begin: 1846

Nearby Parishes

• Amblecote Worcestershire
• Amblecote Staffordshire
• Old Swinford
• Lye
• Cradley
• Halesowen
• Kinver Staffordshire
• Pedmore

Stourbridge Parish Registers

Search online registers of baptisms, marriages, banns and burials including digitised images of original records and registers and indexed transcriptions.

Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records

These records include images of Church of England parish registers of baptism, marriage, and burial records.

Stourbridge St John (Oldswinford, Stourbridge), Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922

Stourbridge St Thomas, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922

Marriage and Banns Records

These records include images of Church of England parish registers of marriages and banns records.

Stourbridge St John (Oldswinford, Stourbridge), Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1947

Stourbridge St Thomas, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1947

Death and Burial Records

These records include images of Church of England parish registers of deaths and burial records.

The following Worcestershire Monumental Inscriptions, hosted by Findmypast, are a collection of transcriptions created by the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry.

Stourbridge Presbyterian (Unitarian) Monumental Inscriptions 1688-1912

Stourbridge St John the Evangelist Monumental Inscriptions 1880-1960

Stourbridge United Reformed Church Monumental Inscriptions 1778-1930

Stourbridge Parish Records

Marriage Licences and Allegations

London Marriage Licences and Allegations 1521 to 1869

The following have been extracted from London Marriage Licences 1521 to 1869.

Abbreviations. — B. Bishop of London’s Office; D. Dean and Chapter of Westminster; F. Faculty Office of Archbishop of Canterbury; V. Registry of the Vicar-General of Canterbury.

Johnson, Peter, of St. Botolph, Aldgate, cowper, and Johanna Pemerton, spinster, of same, daughter of Richard Pemerton, of Sturbridge, co. Worcester, yeoman, deceased — at St. Botolph, Aldgate. 7 Oct. 1583. B.

Source: London Marriage Licences 1521 to 1869; Edited by Joseph Foster; London 1887

Quarter Session Records

The records below have been extracted from the book Calendar of the Quarter Sessions papers Worcestershire v1.

(1602). Indictment of John Bullas of Stourbridge Butcher Richard Dun Shoemaker and John Cooksey of Halesowen for assaulting Edward Chaunce of Stourbridge. A true Bill. XV. 25.

(1604). Information as to the rescue of Nicholas Craftes at Stourbridge who was put by the Constable in the stocks where he had not been 4 or 5 hours when one of his Crafte’s company came and broke open the stocks and when the Constable arrested him a woman “the chief maintainer of many vices in our town” came and assaulted the Constable. XII. 10.

(1605). Indictment of Richard Gascoyne of Stourbridge Locksmith Joan Gascoyne and Ann Gascoyne of the same Spinster for breaking the peace. LXXIV. 20.

(1605). Presentment Stourbridge, There is one Evan Jamissyn selling of ale whether he hath any licence or no we know not. There are three alehouses in Aslye whether they have licence we know not. At Martley Robert Myton otherwise Marshall of Hillanton sells ale and Richard Baylys and Margaret Underhill sell ale in Chadsey Corbet, 15 names on the back of the presentment. XLI. 25.

29 April 1606. Writ to the Sheriff to arrest John Sparry of Stourbridge and produce him at the next Sessions. IV. 8.

3 February 1607. Recognizance before Sir Richard Grevis by Anthony Weatherhill of Stourbridge Chandler for his appearance to give evidence against Jane Bradeley wife of Robert Bradeley Thomas Wildsmith Henry Bradeley and Leonard Dun for assaulting Ann wife of the said Anthony. XVII. 30.

3 February 1607. Recognizance before Sir Richard Grevis by Robert Bradley of Stourbridge Nailer Thomas Wyldsmyth Henry Bradley and Leonard Dun all of Stourbridge Nailers for their appearance and also for the appearance of Jane wife of the said Robert to answer for assaulting Ann wife of Anthony Weatherhill. XVII. 4.

11 April 1607. Recognizance before George Wylde by John Harrold and John Sparrey both of Stourbridge for the appearance of Paul Rock of Stourbridge Yeoman and for his keeping the peace towards William Tompson alias Beeve. XVII. 37.

11 April 1607. Recognizance before George Wylde by Peter Lench of Doverdale Gentleman and Simon Perks of Wichbould Gentleman for the appearance of Gilbert Tompson alias Beeve of Stourbridge Labourer and for his keeping the peace towards John Rock. XVII. 38.

11 April 1607. Recognizance before George Wylde by Peter Lench and Simon Perks for the appearance of William Westwood of Stourbridge and for his keeping the peace towards John Rock. XVII. 42.

11 April 1607. Recognizance before George Wylde by John Harrold and John Sparrey for the appearance of John Rock and for his keeping the peace towards William Rocke alias Beeve, XVII. 56.

(1607). Indictment of William Tompson alias Beere of Amblecote in Co, Stafford Gilbert Tompson alias Beere William Westwood Ambrose Freeman and Mary wife of John Grove for assaulting John Rocke Constable of Stourbridge. A true Bill. XVII. 58.

(1607). Indictment of William Heeley of Stourbridge for a theft from John Hickman, A true Bill. XIV. 55

13 January 1607. Writ to the Sheriff to arrest Henry Walker Surgeon Stourbridge John Sparrey of Stourbridge Thomas Mayne of Bromsgrove Francis Barnes Thomas Parr Henry Field and John Taylor to answer John Baggott in a plea of debt. XVII. 7.

6 October 1607. Writ to summon a Jury to inquire between John Bagott and Henry Walker of Stourbridge Surgeon in a plea of debt. XLII. 10.

(1607). Jury List in a plea between John Bagott and Henry Walker of Stourbridge Surgeon. XIV. 4.

(1607). Jury List in the suit of John Bagott v. Thomas Walker of Stourbridge Surgeon. XIV. 73.

3 April 1610. Recognizance before George Wylde by Ralph Bell of Stourbridge Upholsterer Thomas Witts of Stourbridge and Robert Hanley of Droitwich Butcher for their appearance and tor their keeping the peace towards Edward Cheltenham of Stourbridge Constable there. XVIII. 12.

6 September 1612, Recognizance before William Ingram by William Walderne of Stourbridge Victualler for his appearance. XIX. 56.

6 September 1612. Recognizance before William Ingram by Thomas Hackett of Stourbridge Yeoman for his appearance to give evidence at the next Sessions against William Wall Victualler charged with misbehaviour in his house and receiving cutt-purses and all manner of lewd persons. XIX. 57.

(1612). Articles presented to the Justices of the Peace as to William Waldron one of the Head boroughs of the Town of Stourbridge and Bennet his wife. Waldron is a victualler and suffered tinkers and other turbulent persons and cut purses to abide in his house till they were drunk they then made an affray. On Stourbridge fair day a cut purse named Adam Jones took a purse of Richard Griffin, Waldron with a dagger rescued him from custody. XIX. 93.

30 April 1617. Recognizance before Thomas Warren by John Hough of Stourbridge Felt maker Edward Cooke of Bromsgrove Yeoman and John Foones of Bromesgrove Shoemaker for the appearance of the said John Hough at Sessions and for his keeping the peace towards Jonas Boleys of Stourbridge Feltmaker. XXIX. 37.

30 May 1617. Recognizance before John Bishop of Worcester by Robert Wilson alias Lankashire Butcher John Hadykesse Nailer …….. Locksmith and Richard Corn Husbandman all of Stourbridge for the appearance of the said Robert Wilson otherwise Lankashire at Sessions. XXIX. 38.

15 March 1619. Recognizance before Sir Francis Egioke by Richard Wylie of Stourbridge Victualler to appear at Sessions and give evidence against Robert Wylson otherwise Lancashire of Stourbridge Butcher for dressing flesh during the time of Lent. LXXII. 10.

27 March 1619. Recognizance before John Lord Bishop of Worcester by John Rocke of Stourbridge Yeoman to appear at Sessions and prosecute John Wildsmyth of Old Swinford Blacksmith for the suspicion of stealing certain sheep. LXXIL 4.

27 March 1617 (note entries above and below are dated 1619 so date could be 1619 not 1617). Recognizance before John Lord Bishop of Worcester by John Wildsmyth of Old Swinford Blacksmith William Hornblower of Stourbridge Blacksmith and Geoffrey Hornblower of Kidderminster Weaver for the appearance of the said John Wildsmyth at Sessions to answer the charge of suspicion of stealing sheep. LXXII. 5.

12 April 1619, Recognizance before Sir Richard Grevis by John Bell of Stourbridge Cutler to appear at Sessions and give evidence against Nicholas Bradley of Stourbridge Yeoman for beating and wounding Joan Bell wife of the said John Bell. XXXII. 37.

12 April 1619. Recognizance before Sir Richard Grevis by Nicholas Bradeley of Stourbridge Yeoman John Manning of Oldswinford Yeoman and Richard Wildsmith of the same Locksmith for the appearance at Sessions of the said Nicholas to answer for beating and wounding Joyce Parkes wife of George Parkes and Joan Bell wife of John Bell of Stourbridge. XXXII. 42.

31 May 1619, Recognizance before John Bishop of Worcester by Thomas Malpas of Stourbridge Nailer to appear at Sessions and prosecute Richard Hall for stabbing and hurting John Malpas son of the said Thomas Malpas, XXX. 12.

31 May 1619. Recognizance before John Bishop of Worcester by William Hall of Stourbridge Shoemaker Thomas Sparry of Clent Yeoman and William Hall the elder of Stourbridge Shoemaker for the appearance at Sessions of the said William Hall the younger to answer for stabbing and hurting John Malpas. XXX. 25.

13 October 1619. Recognizance before John Lord Bishop of Worcester by William Perrott Husbandman Humphrey Brisko Shoemaker and William Barnes Nailer all of Stourbridge for the appearance of the said William Perrott at Sessions to answer for suspicion of feloniously taking away one purse and fourteen shillings in money from Lewis Davies of Kidderminster Husbandman. XXXI. 106.

13 October 1619. Recognizance before John Lord Bishop of Worcester by Lewis Davies of Kidderminster Husbandman to appear at Sessions and give evidence against William Perott of Stourbridge Husbandman for the above theft. XXXI. 88.

(1619). Indictment of John Wyeldsmith of Stourbridge “Slitter of Yron” for stealing a sheep and two loins of mutton at Stourbridge. A true Bill. XXXII. 25. (Note: Slitter of Yron is probably a slitter or iron)

(1619). Indictment of John Jones of Stourbridge Tinker for stealing a white wether sheep of the value of 13s. 4.d, the goods of James Morton Gentleman at Clifton in the Parish of Severn Stoke. Not a true Bill. XXXI. 65.

Bankrupts

Below is a list of people that were declared bankrupt between 1820 and 1843 extracted from The Bankrupt Directory; George Elwick; London; Simpkin, Marshall and Co.; 1843.

Brook John and Thomas, Stourbridge, Worcestershire, drapers, Dec. 7, 1841.

Ealand Richard, Stourbridge, Worcestershire, hatter, March 1, 1823.

Edwards Basset Clarke; & Robt. Blakeway; Stourbridge, drapers, Jan. 25, 1833.

Edwards William Evan, Cradley, Stourbridge, anvil maker, March 28, 1837.

John Bayley – Stourbridge Worcestershire – London Gazette April 1850

In the Matter of the Petition of John Bayley, residing now and for fifteen calendar months or thereabouts next immediately preceding the time of filing this petition, at a house known by the sign of the Foley Arms, High street, Stourbridge, in the county of Worcester, Licensed Victualler, and for the first twelve calendar months or thereabouts of such period, also occupying a room in a house in the New-road, Stourbridge aforesaid, as a School master, and previously thereto residing for three calendar months or thereabouts in the Heath-road, Stourbridge aforesaid, out of business, and previously thereto residing for three calendar months or thereabouts, first with my son, John Bayley, at Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, and then with my son, George Bayley, at Walsall, in the said county of Stafford, out of business, and previously thereto residing fifteen calendar months or thereabouts, at a house known by the sign of the Chapel Inn, Smethwick, in the county of Stafford, Licensed Victualler and Farmer, and previously thereto residing four years or thereabouts at Ryecroft Farm, near Walsall, in the said county of Stafford, Farmer. NOTICE is hereby given, that Benjamin Parham, Esq. the Judge of the County Court of Worcestershire, at Stourbridge, acting in the matter of this Petition, will proceed to make a Final Order thereon, at the said Court, on the 13th day of May next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon precisely, unless cause be then and there shown to the contrary.

School Records

The National School Admission Registers & Log-Books 1870–1914 collection offers a rare glimpse into the educational journeys of children across England and Wales during a transformative era. These records often capture names, dates of birth, parental occupations, and school attendance patterns – making them invaluable for family historians, local researchers, and anyone tracing Victorian or Edwardian ancestry. You can view them free with a Findmypast Trial.

Crabb Street Infants School 1882-1911 Admissions

Brook Street Council School (Later Secondary Modern School, Longlands County Secondary School & Longlands School) 1912-1914 Admissions

Wollaston Chruch Of England School 1914-1914 Admissions

Wollaston Road Presbyterian School 1870-1912 Admissions

Stourbridge Historical Directory Transcriptions

Stourbridge Professions and Trades Lewis Worcestershire Directory 1820

Stourbridge (inc. Himley) Universal Directory 1791

Stourbridge Parish History

Stourbridge Worcestershire Delineated C. and J. Greenwood 1822

Stourbridge – a market town in the hundred of Halfshire, lower division, 6 miles from Dudley, 7 from Kidderminster, 13 from Birmingham, and 123 from London; containing 979 inhabited houses. It derives its name from the river Stour, which divides this part of the county from Staffordshire for several miles, and over which, at the north end of the town, is a good stone bridge.

This place is noted for the manufacture of crown glass, which was first introduced here in 1557, but not carried on to any extent, till about a century afterwards, when the use of coal was substituted for that of wood. The articles manufactured here are very superior, some of which are cut with an extreme degree of elegance, as appears from some fine specimens at Hagley-house, the seat of Lord Lyttleton.

The manufacture of iron is likewise carried on in the neighbourhood of Stourbridge to a very great extent, in articles of every description, but more particularly in that of nails, and it appears, from a M.S. in possession of the Lyttleton family, that coal and iron-stone were worked here as early as the reign of Edward the Third. The Staffordshire canal, which passes the end of the town, and communicates with the Severn at Stourport, has proved of infinite advantage to this place, the trade being almost exclusively in heavy articles.

Stourbridge, though situated in the parish of Old-Swinford, is by an act of Parliament, passed many years since, become independent with respect to parochial assessments. It has also a chapel of its own, built in 1742, by voluntary contributions, which is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop, not having been consecrated. It is a modern building of brick, in a good style of architecture, standing on the western side of the town: the Rev. Mr. Taylor is the present minister. Here are likewise several places of worship for Dissenters.

In the High-street is a free school, founded by Edward the Sixth, for the classical education of all the boys in the parish, under the government of special trustees, who, with the consent of the Bishop, are empowered to make rules for the regulation of the same. At present there are no boys on the foundation, but as the funds are sufficient to support an English master in addition to the two grammar ones already chosen, the appointment would be very beneficial, as it would not then remain a useless institution. The market, which is well attended, is on Friday, and there are 2 fairs annually, viz. 29th March and 8th Sept. Population, 1801, 3431 – 1811, 4072 – 1821, 5090.

Source: Worcestershire Delineated: Being a Topographical Description of Each Parish, Chapelry, Hamlet, &c. In the County; with the distances and bearings from their respective market towns, &c. By C. and J. Greenwood. Printed by T. Bensley, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, 1822.

Historical Maps

Alan Godfrey Old Ordnance Survey Maps

The full range of Worcestershire maps produced by Alan Godfrey are available in the Worcestershire Maps section of the Books & Maps area. There you can search by principal villages and parishes, by key features for town and city plans, and sort the maps by type and scale. Coverage is taken from the places listed in Alan Godfrey’s own map descriptions, although smaller parishes may not be explicitly named. View all the Worcestershire & District Alan Godfrey Maps.

County Maps