ABBERLEY

Descriptive notes:

 St Michael's, Abberley, a typically squat Norman building, was built in the 12th century. In the 14th century the roof was raised and a shingle spire erected on the tower. Unfortunately, by the 16th century the extra weight had caused the walls to bulge. The damage could not be undone and by the middle of the 19th century St Michael's was collapsing and St Mary's, with its 160 foot high clock tower, was built as a replacement. By the middle of the 20th century all that remained of St. Michael's was a dangerous ivy covered ruin but work was undertaken to restore part of the building with such success that it is now used regularly for some services. (www.abberley.co.uk) To the south are the Abberley Hills, including Woodbury Hill, with an ancient hill fort on its summit.

Directories:
ABBERLEY, a parish in the lower division of the hundred of DODDINGTREE, county of WORCESTER, 4¾ miles (W. S. W.) from Stourport, containing 574 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Salop, and diocese of Hereford, rated in the king's books at £11. 10. 2½ , and in the patronage of R. Bromley, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Michael. The village of Abberley is situated in a valley to the right of the road leading from Worcester to Ludlow. The summits of the surrounding hills afford delightful prospects, and on the declivities are fine sheep-walks and thriving plantations. Coal of excellent "quality, and some limestone, are found in the neighbourhood. A court leet is held annually. A charity school is supported by the daughters of Col. Bromley. William Walsh, the poet, and a correspondent of Pope and Addison, was born here, in 1663. [A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1831]

Status:
Ancient Parish [25]

Location:
O.S. Ref: SO752680
On the A443, 12 miles N.W. of Worcester & 11 miles W by N from Droitwich

Parish Church:
St Mary's, Abberley was built in 1850 to replace the old Norman Church of St Michael's

Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction:
Archdeaconry of Salop, Diocese of Hereford until 1919, when transferred to the Diocese of Worcester [1] [5] [25]

Hundred:
Lower Doddingtree [11] [25] [28]

Poor Law Union:
Martley [3] [25]

Adjoining Parishes:
Rock; Areley Kings; Astley; Great Witley; Shelsley Beauchamp; Stockton on Teme; Pensax [1]

Parish Registers:

		Coverage	Source
Microform at WLHC	Christenings	1559-1968	[5]
	Marriages	1561-1968	[5]
	Burials	1559-1968	[5]
	Banns	1754-1812	[5]
Originals at WRO	Marriages	1561-1990	[12]
	Banns	1823-70, 1886-1961	[12]

Bishops' Transcripts: Herefordshire Record Office

International Genealogical Index (IGI):
[19]

		Coverage
Parish Registers	Births / Christenings	1558-1875
	Marriages	1558-1885
Bishops' Transcripts	Births / Christenings	1662-1856
	Marriages	1662-1853

Register Copies:
Christenings, Marriages & Burials1662-1856 - Published: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1978 Society of Genealogists [68]

Monumental Inscriptions and Associated Documents:
St.Mary (Blooms Worcestershire MIs,pt.1) Society of Genealogists [59]

Census Records:
Access to all the censuses between 1841 and 1901 is now widely available on the library edition of Ancestry.co.uk at most record offices. You are strongly advised to book time on their computers before making a visit.
Many commercial organisations have issued CDs and DVDs covering all the censuses from 1841 to 1901. Some repositories offer census details on microfiche as listed below:
1841-1901 at Worcestershire Library and History Centre [14]

Search Services (Fee paying) - BMSGH and Independent:
Burial 1661-1840 Worcestershire Burial Index
Marriage see Worcestershire Marriage Index

Manorial Records:
Amercement rolls 1633-5, Chief rent rolls 1731, 1781 and 1784; Chief rents 1732 -36; Court books 1660-84, 1694, 1696-1788; Court rolls c.15th cent. [fragment], 1483-4, 1547-52, 1560-1, 1565-8, 1570-3, 1588, 1603-5, 1607-10, 1612-4, 1618-34, 1660-2, 1670, 1694; Customary 1582 [/3]; Rent roll 1707 Worcestershire Record Office [50]

Parish Records on microform at Worcestershire Library and History Centre [13]
Apprenticeship registers 1808-22; Apprenticeship indentures 18th & 19th centuries.

Schools Records:
A handlist of the records of schools and of other educational establishments held by Worcestershire Record Office for this parish can be found here.

Other Sources:
Abberley manor, Worcestershire : notes on its history, Augustines Oak, churches & families connected with the parish of the present day (1905). Author: John Lewis Moilliet Society of Genealogists

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© Arthur Lewis and contributors 2008
Comments, additions, corrections etc to Arthur Lewis
Last updated on 18th March 2008

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