St John the Baptist, Colerne
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St John the Baptist, Colerne

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Family history
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A Parish in the Lidbrook Benefice
Chippenham Deanery and Diocese of Bristol​

                                                                 Church Registers

The Church Registers go back to 1560 (though incomplete).  The Churchwarden’s account books start from 1692.  All but the current registers are now kept at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham, SN15 3QN.  ​The Centre's website is here.

                            Family History Resources in Colerne and Wiltshire​

Colerne Memorials and Gravestones

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​Their Haven Under the Hill was compiled by John Crittenden in 2013, building on work by Sandie and Phil Waite, Gina Brierley and Barrie Austin.  It lists all the memorial inscriptions existing in Colerne, not only those in the churchyard of the parish church, and provides a cross reference with the Farewell to the Hill compilation of obituaries from the Parish Magazine. For any further information on memorials or graves please contact Ray Barker on 07768 500 684 or [email protected].

Colerne History Group

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​Colerne History Group has produced a number of fascinating publications including The Village on the Hill (aspects of Colerne history), Life on the Hill (Colerne remembered) and Farewell to the Hill (obituaries).  These are slim paperbacks, not all in print.  Contact the History Group (Eileen Collins, 01225 744266) for availability or some second-hand copies may be available online. 

Wiltshire OPC

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​​Wiltshire OPC is a website hosting information supplied by volunteer Online Parish Clerks for each parish in the county.  It is a growing project that started in Cornwall and is spreading to a number of other counties including Wiltshire.  The Colerne page currently holds information including census returns and Marriages 1560-1755, plus a listing of memorials in the Parish Church and churchyard.  Access to the information held by Wiltshire OPC is free but requires registration.

WSHC

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​The WSHC holds most of the records relating to the history of Colerne, including:
  • Baptisms 1628-1957
  • Marriages 1560-1986
  • Burials 1661-1959
A search will reveal other interesting documents including a list of those who lost their homes in the Colerne fire of 1774.
WFHS
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The WFHS has an index of Members' Surname Interests that is available to everyone.  While only current members can publish their interests, anyone can search the Index and make contact.  The database is available at: WFHS Members' Surname Interests

Memorial Listings

The document elements of Their Haven under the Hill can be found here:
​Memorials - Master List of References to Memorials and Gravestones in Colerne
Memorials - Parish Church
Memorials - Gravestones and Memorials in the Churchyard of the Parish Church
Memorials - Evangelical Church
Memorials - Book of Remembrance
Memorials - Graves of Service Personnel
Memorials - Market Place
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Obituaries

Obituaries - 2016 to date (in process of compilation) here

Location Vicarage Lane, Colerne, Chippenham, SN14 8EL

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Website

We love receiving photos and other items for the website, please contact us (details on Contacts page)​
We take privacy seriously: read our notice here.

​Copyright 2022.    The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Colerne  
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  • Home
  • Our Church
  • Join in!
  • For children
  • Safeguarding
  • Accessibility
  • Weddings
  • Baptisms
  • Photo Gallery
  • Eco Church
  • Contacts
  • Useful Links
  • The Friends
  • Giving, Charity and Mission Work
  • Family History
  • PCC Area
  • Volunteers Area