Worlingworth, Suffolk Genealogy

Parish History
WORLINGWORTH, a large and well-built village, pleasantly situated near the source of a rivulet, 5 miles N.W. of Framlingham, and 6 1/2 miles N.E. by E. of Debenham, has in its parish 786 souls, and 2446a. 2r. 6p. ot fertile land. The large common here was enclosed in 1831-2, and from the luxuriant growth of the hedges and plantations, it can now scarcely be distinguished from the old enclosures. Lord Henniker is lord of the manor, and owner of about half of the soil; and the remainder belongs to Sir R. S. Adair, T. W. F. V. Wentworth, Esq., and several smaller owners. It is mostly free, and partly copyhold. Worlingworth Hall, now occupied by a farmer, was the seat of Sir John Major, Bart., who died in 1781, and whose son-in-law, John Henniker, Esq., succeeded to his estates, and was created a peer by the title of Lord, Henniker, as already noticed at page 346, with Thornham Magna, where the present Lord Henniker has his seat. Bishop Alfric gave the lordship of Worlingworth, and the advowson of the church, to Bury Abbey ; and they were granted, in the 31st of Henry VIII., to Anthony Rous. The Church' (St. Mary) is a neat fabric, with a tower and six bells, and contains a beautiful Gothic font, which once adorned the abbey church at Bury..... William White, 1844, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk; page 478-479

Resources
If you live in Suffolk then you will have access to a variety of resources; however, for those who live further afield, one can access microfilm and online records at Family History Centers. Refer to and  in the FamilySearch Catalog for available records.

Civil Registration
Worlingworth was in Hoxne district till 1907 at which time it was moved into Hartismere District. In 1907 Hoxne district was abolished. To search an index of Hoxne or Hartismere district records go to FreeBMD. The Suffolk Civil Registration article tells more about these records. While the district had been created in 1837 for the purpose of recording births, deaths, and marriages, the Hundred had been in existence for hundreds of years for administrative, military, and judicial purposes.

Church records
Worlingworth parish registers of christenings, marriages and burials are available online for the following years:

To find the names of the neighboring parishes, use England Jurisdictions 1851 Map. In this site, search for the name of the parish, click on the location "pin", click Options and click List contiguous parishes.

Records are also available at the Suffolk Record Office.

Probate records
Prior to 1858 the primary court that had jurisdiction over Worlingworth was the Archdeaconry of Suffolk; however, a person’s will or administration may have been probated in nearby courts or even in London. After 1858 it was in Ipswich District. Refer to the Suffolk Probate Records article for further details.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Suffolk Gazetteers and Directories from 1839 to 1909 - Suffolk Gazetteers and directories provide a brief history and description of each parish and lists principal residents. They mention the farmers and tradesman in each parish and the nearest market towns among other items.
 * National gazetteers provide a brief description of each place
 * Vision of Britain
 * British History Online - WORLINGWORTH (St. Mary), a parish, in the union and hundred of Hoxne, E. division of Suffolk, 16 miles (N.) from Woodbridge.


 * England Jurisdictions 1851 maps - see parish in context with surrounding parishes also determine various ecclesiastical and civil jurisdictions for this parish
 * Worlingworth on Google maps - see lay of the land as it is today