Lincolnshire county page

Contents

Lincolnshire Towns & Parishes

Nearby Places

Skirbeck

Census

• The parish was part of the Boston sub-district of the Boston Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Census Resource page for county-wide resources.
  
  
• The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
  
  

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Church History

• A small priory once existed here, dedicated to St. Mary.
  
  
• The Anglican parish church here was dedicated to St. Nicholas.
  
  
• St. Nicholas Church was of Norman origin.
  
  
• The old church of St. Nicholas stands by the River Witham, fringed by the old Roman Bank, about a mile from the village proper. Parts are of Norman origin, with much of the existing fabric from the 13th century. The tower was a 15th century addition.
  
  
• St. Nicholas Church was thoroughly restored in 1874.
  
  
• St. Nicholas Church seats 300.
  
  
• There is a photograph of St. Nicholas Church on the Wendy Parkinson Church Photos web site.
  
  
• Holy Trinity Church stands on the Spilsby Road, and was designed in the 14th century, but not built until 1848.
  
  
• Skirbeck Quarter, often listed as a separate parish (which it became in 1912), has a more modern church building. It includes St. Thomas and Holy Trinity churches within its boundaries.
  
  
• There is a photograph of St. Thomas Church on the Wendy Parkinson Church Photos web site.
  
  
• Here is a photo of St. Nicholas church, taken by (and copyright of) Norma Clare.
  
  

• Here is a photo of St. Nicholas church, taken by Ron Cole (who retains the copyright).
  
  

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Church Records

• The Anglican parish register for St. Nicholas Church dates from 1661.
  
  
• The parish register for Holy Trinity Church dates from 1848.
  
  
• The Family History Library has the parish register on film 1542045, Item 2. This film covers; baptisms and burials, 1661-1812; baptisms, 1813-1938; marriages, 1661-1767. There are gaps in the coverage.
  
  
• The LFHS has published several indexes for the Holland East Deanery to make your search easier.
  
  
• Check our Church Records page for county-wide resources.
  
  

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Civil Registration

• The parish was in the Boston sub-district of the Boston Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Civil Registration page for sources and background on Civil Registration which began in July, 1837.
  
  

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Description and Travel

Skirbeck was both a village and parish on the east coast of Lincolnshire. The parish has a long, V-shaped orientation that wraps around the south and east side of Boston parish. The village has been encorporated into the Borough of Boston since 1932. Fishtoft parish lies to the east, and Wyberton parish to the south and west.

Skirbeck is virtually a suburb of Boston today. If you are planning a visit:

• Skirbeck lies between the Boston Docks and Fishtoft.
  
  
• See our Touring page for additional resources.
  
  

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Manors

• Skirbeck Manor is termed "The Soke of Skirbeck". It has been held by the HUSSEY family and the GILBERT and PRESTON families.
  
  

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Maps

• The National Grid Reference is TF 3343.
  
  
• You'll want an Ordnance Survey Explorer #261 map, which has a scale of 2.5 inches to the mile.
  
  
• See our Maps page for additional resources.
  
  

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Politics and Governance

• The parish was in the ancient Skirbeck Wapentake in the parts of Holland.
  
  
• For today's governance, visit the local Boston Borough Council site.
  
  
• Skirbeck is on the east side of the River Witham, and Skirbeck Quarter on the west side of the River Witham. Skirbeck Quarter was split off as a separate civil parish in 1912.
  
  

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Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.

• Skirbeck's St. Leonard's Hospital consisted of ten small tenements in 1872. It was near the Maud Foster Drain and housed ten bedesmen. The hospital was founded before 1200 and was held for a time by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John. At that time, it was known as St. John's Hospital.
  
  
• In Skirbeck Quarter, ten tenements for the residence of poor people were built on the site of Spital House, which was founded in 1625 by Sir Thomas MIDDLECOOTT.
  
  
• After the Poor Law Amendment Act reforms of 1834, this parish became part of the Boston Poor Law Union.
  
  

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Population

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Schools

• A National School was built here, adjacent to Holy Trinity Church. The school was first finished in 1848.
  
  
• See our Schools page for more information on researching school records.
  
  

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