Longhoughton, Northumberland Genealogy

= Parish History =

The Ancient parish church of Longhaughton St. Peter and St. Paul dates from the Saxon era, although it was rebuilt in 1080 and now the only remaining Saxon stonework is seen in parts of the chancel and tower arches. During the 1080 rebuilding, a 44-foot (13 m) tower was added. This was for purposes of military defence, rather than religious use, and was used as such until the seventeenth century. Parish records go back as far as 1646.

Smugglers used to use the church as a distribution centre in the 1800s.

Nicholaus Pevsner mentioned the church favourably in his review of Northumbrian architecture.

= Parish Records =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/171 Date: 1765-1870 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.

Longhoughton, St Peter and St Paul: Records of baptisms 1646-1921, marriages 1696-1991 and burials 1696-1877 are available at Northumberland Collections Service. The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes baptisms and marriages 1646-1812 for this parish, and Boyd's Marriage Index includes marriages 1646-1812 and banns 1751-1812. Transcripts of baptisms, burials and marriages 1646-1812 are available in the Local Studies Departments of Newcastle Central Library and Gateshead Central Library. A transcript of monumental inscriptions at Longhoughton (microfiche TN71) is published by Northumberland and Durham Family History Society and these records are also available in book form at Newcastle Central Library, Local Studies Department.