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."

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 at Worcestershire Archives

[Contact details]

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

Bishops' Transcripts

Begin 1609 Worcestershire Archives [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

At BMSGH Reference Library [7]
Marriages 1950-1976

At Society of Genealogists [68]
ASTLEY : Marriages 1950-76 [Microfilm.] Published Salt Lake City : Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982

ASTLEY : Marriages(I) 1539-1630: Boyd's marriage index [Typescript.] IN: Boyd's marriage index Published , 1925-55 Author Boyd, Percival ed. Source D: P Boyd.

ASTLEY : Marriages(I) 1726-1812: Boyd's marriage index [Typescript.] IN: Boyd's marriage index Published , 1925-55 Author Boyd, Percival ed. Source D: P Boyd.

Monumental Inscriptions and Associated Documents

At BMSGH Shop
St.Peter
St.Peter New Extension

At BMSGH Reference Library [7]
St.Peter
St.Peter New Extension

At Worcestershire Archives [51]
St.Peter

Inscriptions in church & churchyard (1910 & 1982, transcript); Inscriptions in church & churchyard (1916, microfilm); Sketch plan of new burial ground

At Society of Genealogists [59]
MIs in the current burial ground: Worcestershire monumental inscriptions, Vol.8 Typescript - Published1989 - Author: Dingley, P D (trans.)

Worcestershire monumental inscriptions, Vol.8 Typescript - Published , 1987 - Author: P.D.Dingley et al

War Memorials

For the names of those included on Astley War Memorial see:
http://www.rememberthefallen.co.uk/memorial/astley-war-memorial/

For the names of those included on a War Memorial at Astley School see:
http://www.rememberthefallen.co.uk/memorial/astley-school/l

For the names of those included on a War Memorial at St Peter's Church see:
http://www.rememberthefallen.co.uk/memorial/astley-st-peters-church/

Census Records

All the censuses between 1841 and 1901 are now available on a number of fee-paying (Subscription or PayAsYouGo) sites including Ancestry.co.uk, FindMyPast.co.uk, thegenealogist.co.uk andgenesreunited.co.uk. The 1911 census is available in full or in part on some of these sites. We are unable to advise on the choice of site since researchers' personal preferences will be influenced by the content and search facilities offered by each site. Some sites offer a free trial.

Access to the library edition of Ancestry.co.uk is widely available at most record offices, including Worcestershire Archives, and some libraries. You are advised to book time on their computers before making a visit.

A free-to-view site is being developed at freecen.org.uk for the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1891 censuses. Coverage of Worcestershire parishes is rather sparse at this time.

Census returns can usually be viewed at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Family History Centres.

Some repositories offer census details on microform, disc or printed copy. These include:

1841-1901 at Worcestershire Archives [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 Archives [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 Archives:
Astley C E School [Formerly Infants' & Mixed Schools]
Log books, letters etc, nurses' reports, medical inspectors' notebooks -1890 - 1967 - Ref: BA 5906

The records of schools and other educational establishments in this parish are detailed in a handlist available at Worcestershire Archives. The list refers to original documents so you will need to note the reference number and contact staff.

Directories

An extract from the Topographical Dictionary of England 1831 by Samuel Lewis:

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.

Quick Links