Wilby, Suffolk Genealogy

Parish History
WILBY, a neat village, 1 1/2 mile S.S.E. of Stradbroke, and 6 miles N.N.W. of Framlingham, has in its parish 620 souls, and 1846a. 1r. 20p. of land. T. G. Corbett, Esq., of Elsham Hall, Lincolnshire, is lord of the manor of Wilby-with Shelton Hall, but the soil belongs to various free and copyholders, the latter subject to arbitrary fines. The largest owners are the Rev. T. B. Stane (lord of a small manor called Russells,) Sir R. S. Adair,Lord Henniker, Sir E. C. Kerrison, and the Collinson, Burch, Green, Smith, and Wilkinson families. The Nevils and Wingfields were anciently owners of most of the parish. The Church (St Mary) is a handsome structure, with a tower and six bells; and in its windows are some beautiful fragments of stained glass. The south porch is highly enriched, and the architecture of the whole fabric is much admired. The benefice is a rectory, valued in K.B. at £26. 6s. 10d...... William White, 1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk, page 401-402

Resources
If you live in Suffolk you will have access to a variety of resources at local archives and libraries; 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
Wilby is in Hoxne district. To search an index of Hoxne district records go to FreeBMD. The Suffolk Civil Registration article tells more about these records.

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

The Parish Registers begin in 1538. They can be view at the Suffolk Record Office. A copy of the registers from 1538 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. Parish Chest records are lacking for Wilby. See Suffolk Church Records for further details.

Probate records
Prior to 1858 the primary court that had jurisdiction over Wilby 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 - WILBY (St. Mary), a parish, in the union and hundred of Hoxne, E. division of Suffolk, 3 miles (S. S. E.) from Stradbrooke.


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