Parish Records
Registers and records of St Peter's Ilmer
The document below is a faithful transcription of the original parish records, preserving inconsistencies including variant name spellings (Keen/Kearn) and historical dating errors such as "Nov 31".
Burials
Between 1641 and 1700, burial records are sparse. While the Great Plague of 1665–66 accounts for some of this gap, it cannot explain the 59-year shortfall. The parish maintained at least 3 vicars during this period, indicating the church remained active despite incomplete record-keeping.
In 1741, there were a surprising number of burials consisting of:
- Blizard × 1
- Browne × 1
- Bucklands × 4
- Gomm × 3
- Surman/Syrman × 2
- Woollven/Woolvin × 6
- Meade/Meads × 1
- Munday × 1
The records show that 1741 was a year of exceptionally high mortality for the parish, particularly in May and November. The Woolvin family was hit hardest, with six members (including four children and the mother, Margaret) buried within a single month between October 26 and November 23. Similarly, the Buckland family lost four members (William, Sarah, John, and another William) in late May of that same year.
Overall, 268 burials are recorded at an average rate of 1.14 per year.
Marriages
Overall, 369 marriages are recorded at an average rate of 1.55 per year.
Baptisms
Overall, 450 baptisms are recorded at an average rate of 1.58 per year.
