When Records Began

The early records for the late 16th century and through the 17th century have a number of interesting points, as well as revealing details of the lives of the families in the two villages at that time.

The first point to note is that there are two gaps in the records, a fact that confuses many genealogists. There is a suggestion that the pages were removed from the records during a dispute about inheritance rights to the Manor, but this cannot be proved. The records for the years 1642 to 1657 are now missing. At a similar time the church in King’s Newnham was still being used, although it is not clear if any separate records were still being kept for St Laurence’s.

The registers are remarkably legible given their age – it is worth noting the old script seems to make the village names appear to have an extra “n” in them – another issue that seems to have confused people over the years – there is a Dalton Clock made at this time which has been seen as made in “Church Lanford” (sic).

A copy of the records for the first 125 years can be found here. As it was over 100 years before any kind of census was taken, and even longer before any electoral roll was created, these records are especially invaluable.

The records give an insight into the family names of the time, some of whom made their mark outside of the village in succeeding years, and others who were part of village life for several centuries.

They also show the families who were able to remain in the villages during and beyond the period of enclosure when many smallholders were forced off their land, often to work as labourers for a smaller number of farmers.