Gloucestershire Family History and Local History

A fascinating and in-depth website detailing the history of Gloucester Docks and the Sharpness Canel, the warehouse buildings, vessels, businesses, trades and people associated with the Docks.

A collection of memories, mementoes, reminiscences and records. Bringing Gloucester's unique rugby heritage to life, it aims to capture, preserve, celebrate and share over 130 years of history. Whether you are an avid rugby fan or interested in local history, this site has something to offer.

This is where millions of documents relating to Gloucestershire's heritage are stored and preserved. A vital place to visit if you are tracing Gloucestershire ancestors or your house history. The knowledgeable staff are extremely helpful and will point you in the right direction. There is an online genealogical database search to help with planning your visit. Check website for opening hours.

Gloucestershire is rich in Christmas carols that have come to us through the oral tradition. For example “The Holly and the Ivy” and “The Gloucestershire Wassail” are known and sung worldwide, but these well-known carols varied within Gloucestershire from place to place. These variations have been collected and are detailed on this site, with manuscripts and recordings, in order to keep the songs alive for future generations. Also fascinating facts about Mummers Plays and Wassailing in Gloucestershire.

Visit the Family History Centre to use our research facilities which include Ancestry, Find My Past and The Genealogist. Get advice from our knowledgeable volunteers or browse our extensive library of world wide interest. Monthly Meetings in Gloucester, Stroud, Cirencester or the Forest of Dean. Shop which has many books. transcriptions and CDs of local history and interest for sale.

Local studies online catalogue: details of printed and non-printed material held by Gloucestershire Archives. All of the archive items and most items in the local studies collections are for reference only. The catalogue will tell you where each item is held, but before making a special journey to see any of the material listed, please get in touch to ensure that the item is available.

A fascinating website containing a list of around 3,000 Gloucestershire pubs, many of which have long since closed. Find pictures of pubs your ancestors may have visited, the landlord's name and much more!

Research into the HALE family - many of whom were from Gloucestershire. Includes origin of the surname, parish register entries and census returns showing Hales.

This is the graveyard of Cheltenham Chapel, which was used from 1810 to 1889. Dr Edward Jenner lived close to the chapel from 1795 to 1823, and the chapel was regularly used as a centre for vaccination. In 2009 the gravestones, tomb railings were all lovingly restored, paths laid and the graveyard planted with flowers. Website contains a list of people buried in the graveyard. Gardens open daily.

Website contains a history of the village, the airfield and RAF Kemble, along with old photographs of the houses in the village, the railway station and shops and aerial photographs of the village.

A village situated in the Forest of Dean. This website contains some useful information for family historians, including transcripts of some of the census returns, gravestone inscriptions from All Saints' Church and the Zion Baptist Chapel, a history of the village with some old photographs.

A wonderful collection of old photographs of people, places and events. There are photos of schools, shops, sports teams, bands, choirs, carnivals, villages, stories and much more, all taken in the Forest of Dean area of Gloucestershire. There are even back copies of parish magazines. A fantastic site for family historians with Forest roots!

An ancient parish in the Stroud area, this website gives an history of Paganhill, information on principal families and ownerships of estates in Paganhill Manor. Also features old maps, as well as modern aerial photos of Paganhill.

The tombstones and clipped yew trees in St Mary's churchyard, Painswick, are a major cultural and historic asset. This project seeks to deal with the repair of damaged tombstones, as well as to catalogue and analyse an archieve of photographas and drawings. Website includes some photographs of MIs. Guide and leaflets available to purchase.

An interesting site giving background information on the research into the Restall family from Bisley. An interesting account about the rise and fall of the parish of Bisley. The earliest Restalls are recorded in the Bisley parish register for 1550. An ebook is available giving more detailed information.

A fascinating website by Chris Witts who has spent much of his life working and studying the River Severn. A wealth of information about the vessels that worked on the river, the grain trade, the Severn bore, disasters, floods, bridges and their builders. Chris has written several books about the River and offers talks to schools and interested groups.