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Welcome to the history of Essex
From the haunting scenery of the salt marshes to its fields and picturesque villages, and from the River Thames to Britian's first capital and oldest recorded town, Essex has a fascinating past. Dip into the history of its towns, villages, parishes, and its people with History House.
Image: Colchester Castle
There are now 4,874 pages on the website - and more to come.
Articles on Essex and British history and tips on researching your ancestors
Parish Registers at the Essex Record Office.
Digital images of some Parish Registers are now available online at the Essex Record Office. >>more
Using maps to discover the history of Essex and its people. >>more
A look at newspaper archives and how they can help you research your ancestors. >>more
My Essex Ancestors
Tell the story of your Essex Ancestors
Are your ancestors from Essex? Why not tell us their story. Who were they? When were they here? What they did they do? Where did they go? Have you an interesting story to tell about them?
Go to our A to Z directory, click on the location where they lived, and follow the My Ancestors link halfway down the page.
Find your Ancestors in the Newspapers
Find your ancestors in the newspapers. Try our example search to discover if your ancestors are in the British Newspaper Archive.
Books on Essex
Looking for books on Essex? Amazon.co.uk
Alternatively, if you are seeking used, rare and out of print books then try Abebooks. They bring together 13,500 independent, professional booksellers from all around the world.
Pictures of Essex
If you're looking for pictures to add to your family tree album, then eBay is a good source for old images of Essex towns and villages. Throughout this site you will find many examples of postcards you can find on Ebay, some orginals, others digitally restored and enhanced.
Another source is the Media Store House on Amazon
Documents on Essex Ancestors
All types of objects relating to family history are sold on eBay. Photographs, copies of Wills, house conveyancing, bills of sale, and much, much more. See our article Essex Ancestors on eBay
Essex A to Z
Alphabetical List of Essex towns and villages
Detailed information on each town and village in Essex is available through the A to Z directory.
Each location's page includes extracts from the 1848, 1863 and 1874 county directories which detail the history of the location and a list of the main inhabitants. A useful resource for tracking movements of your ancestors between the ten-yearly census.
Other useful information may include voters in elections, education and schooling, criminal cases, paupers and workhouses, and suggestions on other websites which may help you.
Visit our featured location of
Kelvedon Hatch which includes a tour of the village in 1871.
Professional Research
History House is researched and written by Phil George B.A. (Hons.). I am happy to answer simple questions about Essex and tracking down your ancestors, but I also provide a professional research service covering archival research at the Essex Record Office and internet research covering the wealth of genealogy associated websites now available on the internet.
History News
Read the latest history news for Essex and UK, covering all aspects of history and resources to aid research.
History News lastest articles >>>
- Soldiers' Wills now online
- Civil or Mechanical Engineer records
- Surrey Parish Registers
- Masonic Periodicals
- Grace's Guide - British Industrial History
- Finding your criminal ancestors
Snippets
When researching for this website we often find a little snippet of information on a location or subject which may be of interest. Some are quirky, some show that there is nothing new in this world, and some about the attitudes and morals of the time. Here's some examples or look at our index to snippets:
- True love and its tribulations in Langford (1808)
- 11 year old boy sentenced to death at Chelmsford (1800)
- Practical joke with snakes goes wrong in Brentwood (1865)
- Road Rage - it's not only a modern problem (1804)
- Somnambulism - the danger of sleep walking in Great Waltham (1871)
- Sleeping across the parish boundary (1830)
- Alleged witchcraft at High Easter (1880)
- Sensational literature corrupts a boy in Epping (1879)
- Man sells his wife at Chipping Ongar (1823)
- Stisted labourers ready to strike for beer (1917)
- Hit and run incident causes death at Braintree (1834)
- Gentlemen riot over food bill at Rayleigh (1805)
- >> more snippets
Law and Order
New ongoing project to create a list of Essex court cases with the names of those involved. Information extracted from 19th century newspaper reports and gaol calendars. Also a guide on how to find information on your criminal ancestors in Essex. >> more.
Index to the names of Essex police officers from 1840 - 1910, and a guide on how to find more information on your police ancestors in Essex. >> more.
Essex in 1722
In 1722 Daniel Defoe set off of a tour of the eastern counties of England. His account of his journey provides not only a description and history of a some of the largest towns of Essex, but also provides lively insights into the economic and social activities of its inhabitants: oyster fishing, game shooting on the marshes; and the marrying habits of those living in the marsh areas. He also provides a compelling account of the siege of Colchester during the English Civil War. >> Tour through the Eastern Counties of England, 1722
About History House
History House seeks to provide free information on the history of Essex to help you research your family history. The directories of Essex for 1848, 1863 and 1874 have been transcribed. It is hoped that other directories will follow. Other resources include 1826 and 1847 voters' polls, gaol calendars, police records and newspaper articles. History House is researched and written by Phil George B.A. (Hons.).
Contact History House to include your web site on our A to Z list of Essex locations if it contains historical information.