Whalton, Northumberland Genealogy

= Parish History =

Whalton is an Ancient Parish and includes: Newham, Newham near Morpeth, Ogle, and Riplington. There were mediaeval villages at Ogle, Shilvington, Twizell and Riplington. The incursion of Scottish raiders meant that fortifications were needed; indeed one of the highest points in the parish is called Watch Hill and hints at the vigilance needed at this time. Towers were built at The Old Rectory in Whalton, at Kirkley, and at Ogle where the Ogle family built Ogle Castle. The strength of religion was strong in the medieval period and the Ogles sponsored alterations to the Church of St Mary Magdalene as the main parish church, and a further possible chapel at Ogle itself.

= Parish Registers =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/265 Date: 1769-1825 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.

Whalton, St Mary Magdalene: Records of baptisms and marriages 1661-1900 and burials 1661-1889 are available at Northumberland Collections Service. The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes baptisms 1661-1812 and marriages 1661-1812 for this parish, and Boyd's Marriage Index includes marriages 1661-1812. Transcripts of baptisms, burials and marriages 1661-1812 are available at Tyne and Wear Archives Service and in the Local Studies Departments of Newcastle Central Library and Gateshead Central Library. A transcript of monumental inscriptions at Whalton (microfiche TN90) is published by Northumberland and Durham Family History Society and these records are also available in book form at Newcastle Central Library, Local Studies Dept.