Historical Research & Sources

SOURCES  FOR WALLINGFORD'S HISTORY

For some years, the TWHAS Documents Group has been working hard to transcribe and summarise key sources of information about Wallingford's long and rich history, now known as Sources for Wallingford's History (SWH). So far more than 8,000 A4 pages have been assembled and there is a people index with 65,000 entries (see below).

At the moment the information is available only in hard copy format (stored in Wallingford Museum) but we have plans to computerise it as time and funds allow. In the meantime, bona fide researchers are welcome to consult it by prior appointment only. 

Wallingford Name Index

TWHAS has been compiling a Name Index of inhabitants for the period 1500-1900, based primarily on transcripts and abstracts of parish, borough and probate records, as well as title deeds. There are 65,000 entries and compilation is continuing. Enquiries from family and local historians interested in people living in the town at that time can be made.

Wallingford History Research Group

Recently published is a CD of Wallingford Wills & Inventories transcribed by TWHAS members Jan & Ken Ridley. Also now out is the booklet on Wallingford's Forgotten Neighbour - Clapcot, by Christina Eke. Launching this year will be the first in a series of TWHAS OCCASIONAL PAPERS on various research topics undertaken by members of the group. This first volume will include Wallingford Castle Prison and Rebuilding Wallingford Bridge after the Great Flood of 1809 both by Berenice Pedgley. Other papers are currently being prepared. Watch out on this website for more news of when and where they will be available.

Already, the Research Group has identified a long list of topics for which there is a rich body of transcribed material in SWH just waiting for someone to get their teeth into! The choice is enormous:

• Town and castle: the connection between them

• Structure of society: affluent and poor, geographical distribution, mobility, widows, servants, workhouse

• Life: working, cultural, political, religious (including Religious Change 1460-1680) 

• Civic leaders: 16thC: Adeane, Pollington, Dennington, Quelch, Rusden; 17thC: Payne, Loader, Leaver, Bigg; 18thC: Fludger, Morrell, Bishop, Wells, Toovey, Greenwood, Mayne; 19thC: Allnatt, Dalzell, Hilliard, Field, Wilder

• MPs: people, franchise, elections

• Corporation: structure and function, finances, elections, town properties

• Services: street repair and cleaning, lighting, drains, water, gas, electricity, fire, mail, sewerage

• Trades and professions: shops, crafts, markets, lawyers, artists

• Industries: weaving, brewing, tanning, milling, construction

• Buildings: notable ones, Bridge, Priory, College

• Travel: road, turnpikes, river, coaches, wagons, rail, inns

• Education: schools, teachers

• Health: physicians, midwives, hospital

• Charities: origins, recipients, almshouse

• Law and order: courts, police, punishments, prisons

• Leisure: games, pubs, fairs

• Disasters: fire, flood, disease, Civil War

A small sub-group is looking at ways to make the SWH material available in an electronic form, ultimately on-line - with so much material this is no small task!

The aim is to encourage and support new people in getting started on research, so don’t be afraid to join us if you’ve never done this sort of thing before!