ASTLEY

Descriptive Notes:
An inscription on the four faces of a memorial in the grounds of Astley Church reads:
"At the top of this hill in Astley Hall lived and died"
"Stanley Baldwin 1867 1947"
"Three times Prime Minister"
"First Earl Baldwin of Bewdley K.G."

Directories:
ASTLEY, a parish in the lower division of the hundred of DODDINGTREE, county of WORCESTER, 3 miles (S. W. by S.) from Stourport, containing 784 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Worcester, rated in the king's books at £15. 13. 4, and in the patronage of the Rev. D. J.J. Cooks. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is of Norman architecture. An Alien priory of Benedictine monks, founded here by Ralph de Todeni, in the reign of William I, was annexed to the college of Westbury in that of Edward IV. Here is a school, endowed with about £20 per annum. At Redstone ferry, in the vicinity, is an ancient hermitage, excavated in a lofty cliff by the side of the river. [Typographical Dictionary of England 1831 by Samuel Lewis]

Status:
Ancient Parish [25]

Location:
O.S. Ref: SO787676
2 miles S.W. of Stourport along the A451 and B4196
Astley Town is a hamlet to the north, Seed Green is 2 miles N.E. [57] The Burff is a hamlet 1½ miles east.[57]

Parish Church:
St. Peter

Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction:
Archdeaconry & Diocese of Worcester [1] [25]

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

Poor Law Union:
Martley [3] [25]

Adjoining Parishes:
Areley Kings; Hartlebury; Ombersley; Shrawley; Martley; Great Witley; Abberley [1]

Parish Registers:

		Coverage	Source
Microform at WLHC	Christenings	1539-1928	[5]
	Marriages	1539-1976	[5]
	Burials	1539-1974	[5]
Originals at WRO	Marriages	1539-1987	[12]
	Banns	1754-1812, 1824-1985	[12]

Bishops' Transcripts:
Begin 1609 Worcestershire Library and History Centre [22]

International Genealogical Index (IGI):
[19]

		Coverage
Parish Registers	Births / Christenings	1539-1875
	Marriages	1539-1885
Bishops' Transcripts	Births / Christenings	1609-41
	Marriages	1660-1700 (84%)

Register Copies:
Marriages1950-76 (Microfilm) - Published: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982 Society of Genealogists [68]
Marriages(Index)1539-1630 (Boyd's marriage index) Typescript - Published , 1925-55 - Author: Boyd, Percival ed. Society of Genealogists [68]

Monumental Inscriptions and Associated Documents:
St.Peter BMSGH microfiche [53]
St.Peter New Extension BMSGH microfiche [53]
St.Peter Worcestershire Library and History Centre [51]
Inscriptions in church & churchyard (1910 & 1982, transcript); Inscriptions in church & churchyard (1916, microfilm); Sketch plan of new burial ground Worcestershire Library and History Centre [51]
MIs in the current burial ground: Worcestershire monumental inscriptions, Vol.8 Typescript - Published , 1989 - Author: Dingley, P D (trans.) Society of Genealogists [59]
Worcestershire monumental inscriptions, Vol.8 Typescript - Published , 1987 - Author: P.D.Dingley et al 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]
1891 includes Shrawley

Search Services (Fee paying) - BMSGH and Independent:
Burial 1670-1866 Worcestershire Burial Index
Marriage see Worcestershire Marriage Index
Parish Records on microform at Worcestershire Library and History Centre [13]
Rectors of Astley 1289-1894
Signed minutes of vestry meetings 1873-1904
Signed minutes of the Parish Church Council 1921-68
Churchwardens Account book 1831-1915
Account of the proceeds & expenses of Astley Rectory 1829-46
Copy of inscriptions in Astley Church & Churchyard 1916
Apprenticeship indentures 1756-1809
Removal orders- examination of the poor & their legal place of settlement 18th & 19th cent.
Bonds to indemnify (sic) the parish of Astley from bastard children 1674-1815
Settlement certificates 1711-1821 Marriage licenses 1855-1932

Schools Records:
The following school records are original documents. Note reference number and contact staff at Worcestershire Record Office:
Astley C E School [Formerly Infants' & Mixed Schools]
Log books, letters etc, nurses' reports, medical inspectors' notebooks -1890 - 1967 - Ref: BA 5906

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

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© Arthur Lewis and contributors 2008
Comments, additions, corrections etc to Arthur Lewis
Last updated on 19th March 2008

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