Woolfardisworthy (West) Bishops Transcripts
Baptisms 1607-1722

Transcribed by David Carter 2020

From historic transcript formerly in Westcounty Studies Library, 
now in Devon Record Office, Exeter

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Notes about the documents:

The Woolfardisworthy Parish Registers commence in 1723. Prior to this date, there are only the following fragmented Bishops Transcripts. Note at front of transcripts concerning the loss of earlier registers: “At the time (1734) Zachary Hamlyn presented his Pedigree for examination at the College of Arms, the Parish Registers of Woolfardisworthy must have been in a very perfect condition, dating from 1540, but when in 1848 I applied to the then clergyman for extracts, he informed me that the books in his custody did not commence at an earlier date than 1723, and that he had made every enquiry on the subject of earlier Registers without success. Knowing how careless the custodians of Parochial Registers are, especially in remote county districts I think it probable that when Zachary Hamlyn was making out his Pedigree he obtained possession of them, and possibly never returned them to the parish authorities, and they may have been destroyed in the fire at Clovelly Court in 1789. (~?~ Wm R Drake’s Devonshire Notes and Notelets, priv[ately] printed 4to p.215).”

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