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Forest of Dean Research
The Forest of Dean, has since 1016 has been the property of the
Crown,
originally
the area was known as the "king’s hunting ground in Gloucestershire"
The Forest of Dean was once a royal hunting and used for
no
other
purpose, it was not intended that common folk should live within its boundaries.
Many Norman and Plantagenet king's hunted deer and wild boar here; no one else
was officially allowed to do so, but, of course, some did. For these reasons
it was sparsely populated.
As the Forest itself became populated, areas named West Dean and East
Dean came into being but still ex-parochial (not controlled by the church).
From the
early 1800’s
onwards new churches were built around the old Forest.
Mining of iron ore and coal in the Forest led to family
links with other mining areas, in particular with South Wales e.g. Bream
had links with Blackwood and Pontypool.
To find information, you may need to look in places that at first glance
may not be obvious. For that reason, we have reproduced the following information
on registration districts
- Monmouth
Created 1st July 1837. Mainly in Monmouthshire, but included parts
of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
Sub-districts : Coleford; Dingestow; Monmouth; Trelleck; West Dean.
GRO* volumes : XXVI (1837-51); 11a (1852-1930).
English Bicknor, Newland, Staunton, West Dean.
Registers now divided between Torfaen, Monmouth, Forest of Dean and
Ross districts
- Chepstow
Created 1st July 1837. Mainly in Monmouthshire, but included parts
of Gloucestershire.
Sub-districts : Chepstow; Lydney; Shire Newton.
GRO* volumes : XXVI (1837-51); 11a (1852-1930).
Alvington, Aylburton, Hewelsfield, Lancaut, Lydney, St. Briavels, Tidenham,
Woolaston.
Registers now divided between Newport and Forest of Dean districts.
- Westbury on Severn
Created 1st July 1837.
Sub-districts : East Dean; Huntley; Newnham.
GRO* volumes : XI (1837-51); 6a (1852-1930).
Abenhall, Awre, Blaisdon, Bulley, Churcham, East Dean, Flaxley, Hinders
Lane and Dockham, Huntley, Lea Bailey (from 1890), Littledean, Longhope, Minsterworth,
Mitcheldean, Newnham, Westbury on Severn.
Registers now divided between Forest of Dean and Gloucester districts.
- Note:
Newland and West Dean cover a similar area, Newland being the ancient name.
Monmouth/Chepstow; being the registration districts for part of the Forest
of Dean often means the need to look at Wales rather than England for
some online census information, www.Ancestry.com is a prime example.
* GRO Gloucestershire Archives |
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