St. Mary's Brownsea Island

[Bonnie65]

The parish records of St. Mary's church on Brownsea Island do not seem to be included in the Dorset parish records just released on Ancestry.

Does anyone know why.

June

[nanny jan]

Hi,

Perhaps the records are still with the church?   St. Peter's in Parkstone seems to be linked with the church.

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/branksea-st-mary

The "Contact Us" link gives a name, address and email link.


Nanny Jan

[Bonnie65]

Thank you Nanny Jan. I've sent them an email.

JUne

[nanny jan]

That was quick!   Hope you manage to track down the records.  If you don't get an answer you could always try the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester.

Fingers crossed.


Nanny Jan

[Bonnie65]

You think that was quick

I've just had a reply from the rector of St. peters parkestone

Apparently they are still using the ORIGINAL  parish registers from St. Mary's Brownsea and they are kept at Parkestone.

What a shame. I was actually staying in Poole for a weekend at the beginning of May.

Maybe he will look some records up for me if I ask him nicely.

June

[nanny jan]

 

Maybe enclose a little something for church funds  and an sae?

Good Luck!


Nanny Jan

[RRYFS]

The Brownsea registers are held on the island and in duplicate at St Peters Church, Parkstone (they are joint parishes) because they are still using the original registers. I actually got to sign the marriage registers in 2009, when my eldest daughter was married on Brownsea - and we had to sign 4 times! There was a lady who travelled down from the Midlands to spend her summer manning the church on Brownsea and talking to visitors about the church and family history - you could try e-mailing the National Trust, as she may well be prepared to do look-ups for you if she's still there. They have extra records on the Island - the previous rector, Peter Huxham, did a lot of work identifying graves, and the lady was able to show me the stone for the husband of one of my wife's family who died on the Island, despite almost all the inscription having worn away. I have previously viewed the copy registers in St Peters, and could do so again if you don't have any joy elsewhere.

[Bonnie65]

Thank you for your reply.
How wonderful to get married in the little church on Brownsea.
I have sent an email to Parkstone to see if they would send me information.
It is not my family but my Daughter in Law's family that I am researching but it is so interesting.
I've so far got about 5 marriages, 6 baptisms and 3 burials that I think occurred in St. Mary's church Branksome (Brownsea)
so I wouldn't want to burden you with all those look ups.
I'll wait to see what response I get from the Church and go from there.
Thank you for your offer. I may take you up on it. Perhaps select a few,
Thanks again

June

[nanny jan]

It's Brownsea (or Branksea) Island...........Branksome is yet another part of the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation.

I guess you're not a local.   


Nanny Jan