Mendham, Suffolk Genealogy

England   Suffolk     Hoxne Hundred   Suffolk Parishes  Mendham

Parish History
MENDHAM, a neat and pleasant village, on the south bank of the river Waveney, nearly 2 miles S.E. of Harleston, 8 miles S.W. of Bungay, and 10 miles W.N.W. of Halesworth, has in its parish 823 inhabitants, and upwards of 3000 acres of land, of which 267 souls and about 800 acres, are on the north side of the Waveney, in Earsham Hundred, Norfolk, forming a suburb to the town of Harleston, and including Dove House, several farms, and Shotford Bridge, which crosses the river by three arches, 1 mile S. of Harleston. Near the church, in the Suffolk part of the parish, was a Cluniac Priory, founded by William, son of Roger de lluntingfield, in the reign of King Stephen, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and subordinate to Castle-Acre Priory,.... Here is an Independent Chapel, belonging to a congregation formed in 1796, and also a place of worship for the Wesleyans....William White, 1844, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk; page 465-466

On 25 Mar 1885, the Norfolk section of this parish joined Redenhall with Harleston.

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 Family History Library Catalog for available records.

Civil Registration
Mendham was in Hoxne district till 1907 at which time it was moved into Hartismere District. About 30% of the population and 25% of the land was on the North side of the Waveney; therefore, they were in the district of Earsham, county of Norfolk. In 1907 Hoxne district was abolished. To search an index of Hoxne, Hartismere, or Earsham 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
The Parish Registers begin in 1678. They can be view at the Suffolk Record Office. A copy of the registers from 1678 to 1900 can be purchased from the Suffolk Record Office. For pre 1813 Bishop Transcript entries you will need to look in Hoxne Deanry, Archdeaconry of Suffolk. &lt;a href="http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=173-fc96&amp;cid=0#0"&gt;Parish Chest records are lacking for Mendham&lt;/a&gt;. See &lt;a href="Suffolk Church Records"&gt;Suffolk Church Record&lt;/a&gt; for further details.

Probate records
Prior to 1858 the primary court that had jurisdiction over Mendham 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 there was one National Index. 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 things of interest.
 * National Gazetteers provide a brief description of each place
 * Vision of Britain
 * British History Online


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