Ipswich, Suffolk Genealogy

England   Suffolk     Parishes

= Description =

Ipswich, the capital of Suffolk, and the largest market-town and port in the county, is an ancient borough and liberty, holding a pleasant and salubrious situation, mostly on the north-east side of the Clipping, at the point where that navigable river assumes the name of Orwell, and begins to expand into a broad estuary, which terminates in the German Ocean, at Harwich, about 13 miles S.E. of the town, which is distant 69 miles N.E. of London, 20 miles N.E. of Colchester, 25 miles S.E. by E. of Bury St. Edmunds, 54 miles S.S.W. of Yarmouth, 8 miles W.S.W. of Woodbridge, and 43 miles S. of Norwich ; being in 52 deg. 3 min. north latitude, and in 1 deg. 9 min. east longitude. It is in the line of the Eastern Counties Railway, which is completed from London to Colchester, and is to be extended to Norwich. It suffered considerably during the greater part of last century, from the loss of its ancient staple manufacture of woollen cloth and canvass ; but being favourably seated for commerce, it has risen rapidly in wealth, population, and importance, during the present century, in which it has increased its population from 10,402, to upwards of 25,000 souls.... 1844 : History, gazetteer, and directory of Suffolk, and the towns near its borders

Church of England Parishes

 * Ipswich St Clement
 * Ipswich St Helen
 * Ipswich Holy Trinity
 * Ipswich St Lawrence
 * Ipswich St Margaret
 * Ipswich St Mary at the Elms
 * Ipswich St Mary at the Quay
 * Ipswich St Mary Stoke
 * Ipswich St Mary le Tower
 * Ipswich St Matthew
 * Ipswich St Nicholas
 * Ipswich St Peter
 * Ipswich St Stephen
 * Whitton with Thurleston
 * Westerfield - mostly in borough of Ipswich
 * Rushmere - partly in borough of Ipswich
 * Sproughton - a few farms in borough of Ipswich

Extra-Parochial
...St. Clement's includes Fore Hamlet, Back Hamlet, Wykes Bishop, and Warren House. The latter is Extra-Parochial; as also are, Cold Dunghills and Felaw's Houses, in St. Margaret's; the Shire Hall Yard , in St. Mary's at Quay; and several houses in Globe lane, included with St. Mary at Tower....


 * Cold Dunghills
 * Felaw's Houses
 * Shire Hall Yard
 * Warren House

Parish History
Domesday Book only enumerates nine churches, as standing in Ipswich and its liberty, viz., Holy Trinity, St. Austin, St. Michael, St. Mary, St. Lawrence, St. Peter, St. Stephen, and those at Whitton and Thurlston. The three first-named are supposed to have been destroyed in a dreadful tempest, on New Year's day, 1287, when Stowe informs us many other churches and buildings were beaten down by the jarring elements, at Yarmouth, Dunwich, &amp;c. At a later period, it is said here were no fewer than 21 churches, but no doubt this number included those which were attached to the monastic institutions, and were not parochial. There are now twelve parish churches, and a chapel of ease in the town ; and the two churches of Whitton and Westerfield parishes are within the liberty of the borough.... William White, 1844 Gazetteer of Suffolk; page 67

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.

Cemetery - Churchyards
General Cemetery.—The Church and Chapel Burial Grounds in Ipswich, were closed under the powers of the Health of Towns Act, Ac, on July 1st, 1855. A Burial Board was formed, on which are representatives of the several parishes in the town. The Board purchased 32 acres of land of the late W. C. Fonnereau, Esq., for £2600, for a cemetery.... William White, 1874 Gazetteer of Suffolk, page 64 Refer to the Ipswich Borough page for details

Civil Registration
Ipswich is a district. To search an index of Ipswich district records go to FreeBMD. The Suffolk Civil Registration article tells more about these records.

Church records
Contributor: Include here information for parish registers, Bishop’s Transcripts, non conformist and other types of church records, such as parish chest records. Add the contact information for the office holding the original records. Add links to the Family History Library Catalog showing the film numbers in their collection

Census records
Census records are available on a variety of subscription and other websites. It is unlikely that you will need to consult the 1841 to 1891 census on microfilm, since the census records are online at Family History Centers, archives, and various libraries. When the microfilm is required, consult the Family History Library Catalogue for film numbers. Refer to the Suffolk Census wiki article for details about the Census.

Statistical Data Gathered from the Census
There are statistical charts available for the 1801 to 1931 censuses. See the article, Histpop — 'The Online Historical Population Reports Project' to access further data. The census gathered statistical data that allows one to see the economy of the people. It notes occupations, housing, population for every parish in Ipswich. It notes changes from the previous census and reasons for the changes. In 1831 over half the population lived in three parishes, St Clements, St Margarets, and St Matthews. While rural Suffolk was mostly engaged in agriculture, Ipswich was the center of industry in the County.

Court
There is no name index to the Ipswich Quarter Session Records

Probate records
Prior to 1858 the primary court that had jurisdiction over Ipswich 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.

Newspapers
The Ipswich Journal from 1800 to 1900 is provided by an online service with an every name index and images of the articles. Some libraries also provide access to service.

The Bury and Norwich Postis available online from 1801 to 1900. The British Newspaper Archive provides images and transcripts of the Newspaper. Also available is the Ipswich Journal from from 1748 to 1900. Also another run of the Ipswich Journal from 1720 to 1800

Maps and Gazetteers
Maps are a visual look at the locations in England. Gazetteers contain brief summaries about a place.


 * England Jurisdictions 1851
 * Vision of Britain
 * Suffolk Gazetteers

Web sites
Contributor: Add any relevant sites that aren’t mentioned above.