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Barwell

"Barwell, a large village and parish, in the union of Hinckley, from which it it is two miles north by east and eleven miles S. W. from Leicester; its parish includes the hamlets of Potter's Marston and Stapleton. The church dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure in the gothic style of architecture, having a square tower, containing four bells; the living is a rectory. The Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists have places of worship here."

"There is a Free School for educating and clothing 20 poor boys, which is endowed with £20 10s. per year, from Alderman Newtons charity. The poor have some small sums distributed yearly."[Melville & Co.'s Directory & Gazetteer of Leicestershire. 1854]

Bibliography

Baker, Beryl C. (1973), "The Continuing Witness. Methodism in Barwell from the 18th Century to the Present Day.

Johnson, T.(1996), "Bygone Barwell: A nostalgic look at the 1920's and 1930's". Earl Shilton and District Local History Group.

Shaw, F.(1987), "Barwell and Earl Shilton in Old Picture Postcards."European Library. Zalthommel, Netherlands

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Church History

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, a large brick building was erected in 1797 in what came to be known as Chapel Street. It was enlarged in 1829 at a cost of £200 and further enlarged in 1867. In 1903 following the purchase of a number of cottages and adjoining parcels of land a new chapel was built.

The first Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1829/33 and redeveloped in 1852/53. In 1895 a plot of land on what is now Shilton Road was purchased and in 1897 a schoolroom was built where the congregation worshipped for a number of years until in 1903 a new church was built on this site. This building continued in use until 1966 when the two churches amalgamated.

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Church Records

Barwell, St Mary:

Registers held at The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland (DE1330 / DE 4487) include:-

The LRO also holds a typescript copy of Barwell parish register transcripts from 1563 - 1640 (DE 4487/18).

The Society of Genealogists holds a copy of the parish register from 1563 - 1640 which can be studied at their library in London.

Nonconformist Records

Wesleyan Methodist Chapel:

Part of the Hinckley (WM) Circuit. Registers of marriages 1913 - 1978 are held at The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland (N/M/142/155-161)

Primitive Methodist Chapel:

Part of the Hinckley (PM) Circuit in 1877. By 1895 Barwell was part of the Nuneaton Circuit. Registers of Marriages 1922 - 1965 are held at The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland (N/M/142/148-154)

The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes details of births and baptisms from 1563 - 1856.

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Civil Registration

Barwell is served by Hinckley Registration District Office.

For method of obtaining copy certificates see the Civil Registration section on our Leicestershire page.

Genealogy

There is a mailing list dedicated to Barwell genealogy hosted by Rootsweb. To join the list send an e-mail to ENG-LEI-BARWELL-L-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.

Maps

Multi Media Mapping have a current map of Barwell.

Names, Geographical

The village is listed in the Domesday Survey as 'Berryall' later becoming Bearwell. The word 'Bear' may have meant boar and 'well' stream. Consequently the name meant 'the town by the boar stream.'

Names, Personal

Names, occupations and some addresses of residents of the village in 1877 have been transcribed from White's History, Gazetteer and Directory of the Counties of Leicester and Rutland. 3rd Edition

Sandra Frisby who is researching the FRISBY, GREWCOCK and WHETSTONE names from Barwell has included a page entitled "The Grewcocks of Barwell" on her site.

Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.

Barwell Parish was part of Hinckley Union. The Union Workhouse was located at London Road, Hinckley.

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This parish page was developed by Tim Arguile. Follow this link to find help, report problems or contribute information.
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