Lowick, Northumberland Genealogy

= Parish History =

Lowick St John the Baptist is an Ancient parish and includes Barmoor, Bowsden, Bowsdon, Holborn, Holburn, and Laverick Law. The first incumbent as Rector was Ralph circa 1228.

Lowick village stands in the centre of its parish, which carries the same name. The Anglican church of St. John the Baptist, built in the early English style, is the parish church. The present building dates from 1794, and was added to in 1887, the chancel and vestry work being carried out by F. R. Wilson, who also worked for the Percy family, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland. A church has stood on the site since the twelfth century; the monks of Lindisfarne built the Norman chapel here when the ancient parish was sub-divided. The register for the church dates from about 1720. There is also a long history of Presbyterianism here; both Scottish and English Presbyterians had premises at Lowick. The Scottish congregation has been in existence since 1662, formed by Rev. Luke Ogle, who resigned as minister at Berwick as a consequence of the act of uniformity and retired to nearby Bowsden. This congregation is one of the oldest non-conformist groups in the country.

= Parish Records =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/173 Date: 1760-1841 Parish Register transcripts are available to search free online at Record Search.

The dates of the post-1760 transcripts have been noted in detail and sometimes only cover years. For most parishes in the collection there are gaps in the sequence of transcripts. It is advisable to consult the original parish registers for these years and events.

Lowick, St John the Baptist: Records of baptisms 1718-1944, marriages 1729-1983 and burials 1729-1871 are available at Northumberland Collections Service. Baptisms 1718-1944, marriages 1729-1757, 1795, 1813-1837, banns 1775-1790, and burials 1729-1871 can also be seen at Tyne and Wear Archives Service. Bishops' Transcripts for the period 1760-1841 are deposited at Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, Palace Green, Durham City. The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes baptisms 1716-1826 and marriages 1729-1812 (with gaps) for this parish, and Boyd's Marriage Index includes marriages 1729-1812. Transcripts of baptisms 1725-1826 and marriages and burials 1729-1812 are available at Newcastle Central Library, Local Studies Dept.

= Nonconformist Records =

Lowick, Haggerston Castle (Roman Catholic): Records of baptisms 1786-1789 and 1841-1853, marriages 1842-1890 and burials 1790-1836 are available at Northumberland Collections Service and at Berwick upon Tweed Record Office.

Northumberland Collections Service has the following records for nonconformist churches located in this parish:


 * Lowick P.M. Circuit (Methodist) - Baptisms 1869-1932
 * Lowick, English (Presbyterian) - Births/baptisms 1920-1935.
 * Lowick, Scotch (Presbyterian) - Births/baptisms 1804-1849, 1906-1975.
 * Lowick Scotch Presbyterian Church, Baptisms 1804-1849 have been published on microfiche by Berwick Record Office.