Northamptonshire is home to some of the most desirable villages in Britain. Here you will find a page dedicated to the history of each.
Let us know if you would like us to research a village for you (click). If you want to see what we have uncovered have a browse of some of our more advanced Village research projects.
Take a look at Blatherwycke to see images of a splendid turn of the 18th century hall which no longer exists. This history could easily be lost and there may be something similar in your village.
We typically respond within 24 hours and will have updated research published within a week!
I wonder if anyone could tell me about Eye which is where some of my ancestors were born but cannot find any reference to it.
Thanks
I amn researching my family tree and one of my ancestors was born in Weldore, Northamptonshire in 1841 (according to the 1881 census) but I cannot find anything about this place. I wonder if you could help please.
Thanks
Hello. I'm interested in doing research on an ancestor who was rector of St. Andrew Church in Great Billing for over 50 years in the 19th century. When he died in 1892, Rev. Joseph Walker was referred to in his obituary as "the oldest clergyman in England." He and his wife had thirteen children and lived in the rectory all those years. I've just published an article in LOCAL HISTORY MAGAZINE about two of Rev. Walker's brothers, William and Charles, who were activists in the Ten Hour Movement in Yorkshire, and I'd like very much now to turn my attention to Joseph Walker and his half century as Rector of St. Andrew. Would you happen to know of anyone who might have done research that might include any details about life in the rectory during the second half of the 19th century? I'd be interested in any suggestions you might have for me, and of course would be glad to share my own research-- which so far consists mainly of census records for Rev. Walker and his family, his obituary in the Times, and a few other brief items. I will also write to the St. Andrew Church, in hope that they may have some records of Rev. Walker. Thanks very much! Charlotte
(Charlotte Zoe Walker, PO Box 14, Gilbertsville, NY 13776, USA)
I am trying to find aout about the family who lived at Crockwell Farm in the 1600 -1700. I know there was a feud between them amd the family at Culworth. Hope you can help
I would be very interested to find out more information about the village of Welton from where some of my ancestors originate. Thanks.
Please can you add Catesby (both upper and lower) to your list of villages in Northamptonshire with some facts and information!
Thank you.
My CURTIS ancestors are from the village of Bugbrooke (emigrated early 1680s). I hope to be able to visit in June 2008 and am gathering all the information available.
If you would research this village and post your findings, I would be most delighted and appreciative.
Thank you,
Phyllis McLaughlin
Alpine (San Diego County), California, USA
Phyllis,
We have corresponded directly on this as there was a lot of information about the Curtis family in the excellent book "Bugbrooke 2000BC to 2000AD" which sadly is out of print but I have a copy and you managed to order a 2nd hand copy via Amazon.
For others interested, there was a section in this book directly relating to the Curtis family which I cannot include here (for copyright reasons) but stated that they were Quakers who were persecuted for their beliefs. Evidential records show this caused some to leave Bugbrooke to find a new life in America.
The records show that there were at least four sisters name Curtis born between 1661 and 1666. Samuel Ogbourne married the eldest of these sisters (Jane) in 1686 in Burlington County, New Jersey, USA. She outlived four husbands and died aged 68 in 1729. She had 11 children by 3 of her husbands.
Anyone interested in Bugbrooke should certainly try to obtain this book is a remarkable piece of work with many pictures. (ISBN 1 871917 03-4).
Marcus
my family has documentation of Thomas Curtis who married Jane Curtis, they soon after moved to New Jersey. Their son, Rev. Thomas Curtis became a Baptist minister and our family line goes down from there. However, I am interested in whether the mother's name was really Jane (Curtis) Curtis. I don't know if they were cousins. I know there were Quakers. They came to the US in 1682, Thomas was born 1685.
Any information you could give me would be much appreciated. Thank you
An Ashby descendant from America, I am trying to piece together some confusion I have concerning William Catesby. Would he have also been known as William de Ascebi? Or would William de Ascebi (Asebi) be someone else? Would William de Ascebi be called William "of" Ashby? And how does the Surname Ashby tie in to Ashby Village/Ashby Castle/Quenby Hall? I have family tree info. if anyone wants it. Thank you sincerely for your time. Lynella S. Ashby-Raymond.