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Gloucestershire Family History Society

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Gloucestershire Family History Society

The Gloucestershire Family History Society was formed in 1979, as an off-shoot of Bristol & Avon FHS We hope you enjoy your researching with us.

Did your ancestors live or work in Gloucestershire? – If so we can help you in your research.

•Visit the Family History Centre to use our research facilities which include free access to Ancestry, Find My Past and The Genealogist. Get advice from knowledgable volunteers or browse our extensive library of world wide interest.

•Come to Monthly Meetings in Gloucester, or the Forest of Dean

•Visit our Shop which has many books, transcriptions and CDs of local history & interest for sale.

•Join Us and become one of our friendly community of researchers who receive quarterly Journals and access to local search registers via our search services service. The Gloucestershire Family History Society (GFHS) is a self-help organisation devoted to all researching their ancestors and the background against which they led their lives in Gloucestershire and beyond.

28/11/2025

Kinsgcote - continued

The North transept of Kinsgscote church (previously the family pew) is now closed off and has become a rather gloomy lumber room. In the corner are stacked these Benefaction Boards, detailing John Wight's legacies to the parishes of Kingscote and Newington Bagpath in his will of 1839. (I presume those for Newinton Bagpath were relocated at that churches closure).

The Wight family were also established in Tetbury, and were mill owners in Sheepscombe. A John Wight designed and built The church there. Unfortunately, it is difficult to distinguish various branches of the family, to ascertain who this is.

27/11/2025

On 6th December, our Saturday event at the Heritage Hub will focus on Gloucestershire's industrial heritage and feature two historical talks, a document display, stands from local heritage organisations, and free refreshments throughout the day!

Plus, the Family History Centre will be open for research from 10am to 4pm, and our second hand book stall will be available.

Booking for the two talks is essential - go to
https://www.heritagehub.org.uk/events/gone-but-not-forgotten/

26/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

Rev'd Cornwall lived at Ashcroft House, in Bagpath. His eldest son succeeded him to the living, but his two younger sons, Clement and Henry, emigrated to British Columbia during the gold rush. Finding that there were more stories of disaster than riches they decide to build a town to provide a place for prospectors to rest and replenish. They named the town Ashcroft. The town museum holds pictures and maps of Bagpath a small link to its origins.

Both of the brothers were avid proponents of "gentlemen's sports", especially horse-racing and fox-hunting. The Ashcroft Manor Ranch was memorable for its hunting parties, with Cornwall's select group of foxhounds, from the Duke of Beaufort's celebrated kennels, put in hot pursuit of the local coyotes instead of foxes, and lavish social entertainments for any guests visiting during the hunt.

I have no image of Ashcroft House - this is the Reading Room, now the Village Hall, in the village.

24/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

Newington Bagpath church. St Bartholomew's church was closed in 1977. A Norman church, described by John Smyth of Nibley in his Hundred of Berkeley (written in 1639) that ‘scarce any church (worthy of the name church) can be lesse or worse built’. It was restored by SS Teulon in 1858.

For a short time from 1720 to 1731 the little church obviously became a trendy place to be married. Its beautiful peaceful location close to the main crossroads to Stroud, Tetbury, Bath and Gloucester and charismatic Rector attracted couples from far and wide. The Rev Thomas Lodge married people from Gloucester, Bristol, Purton and many more locations outside of the tiny parish. Of the 21 marriages carried out in 1729 only four were for local parishioners. In April 1731 Rector Lodge died and with him the happy ceremonies at the church on the hill.

The Rev'd Alan Gardner Cornwall of Ashcroft, who was rector from 1827 to 1842, published his memoirs, a valuable account of rural life in the early 19th century. They are available online, athttps://web.archive.org/web/20110105123035/http:/www.owlpen.com/cornwall_diary.pdf
and are well-worth reading.

His patroness was Mrs Kingscote, and his anxiety to please her shows that Jane Austen's Mr Collins was truer to life than we might have thought. However, he also was eager to provide assistance to his parishioners who had been left in dire straights by the collapse of the woollen industry in the area.

For further information go to https://www.historyjournal.co.uk/home/castle-to-church and fascinating website on the history of the small parish of Newington Bagpath.

I would also like to thank the writer of the site for the information that I have used in this post.
and with thanks for the information that I have used in this post

22/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

Road surveyors were an integral part of local infrastructure. They were responsible for measuring and marking the boundaries of roads, ensuring they were clear of obstructions, and maintaining them in good condition.

Road surveyors and his family lived at Park End Cottage (circled) during the 19th Century, firstly Thomas Elliott, then, from 1881, Edwin Elliott (no relation), who was recorded as 'District Surveyor, employing 18 men and 6 boys'.

With thanks to the Know Your Place website for the use of the map.

20/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

From the 1850s, there were two police constables resident in the village (a police station was built in time for the 1861 Census to record it).

With thanks to gloucestershirepolicearchives.org.uk for the photos - a useful resource if you have Gloucestershire ancestors in the Police Force.

Most of the other residents were farmers, agricultural labourers, and individuals supporting farming in the area. When the Kingscote family were resident at the Court (which was seldom, as their main residence was in London) they brought with them a large number of servants. When the family wasn't in residence, the house was cared for by three servants.

In 1861, there were 15 servants, including 'an old nurse' the 71-year-old Mary Ann Bucknall.

18/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

The Coldharbour Turnpike, established in 1757, and originally running between Symondshall and Tetbury, rang along what is now the route of the A4135.

There were two tollhouses in the parish, one where the yellow dot is on the map, and one where the pink dot is. Both have since been demolished.

The photograph is of the northerly tollhouse, at Latterwood. John Rice lived here with his family at the time of the 1851 and '61 Census'. In 1861, he and his wife had eight children living at home, which must have been a squash.

It was a shop at sometime called "Nibletts".

Image courtesy of the Nailsworth Town Archives

17/11/2025

Don't forget to save the date for our Christmas Social and Quiz, here at the Hub, between 2pm and 4pm. This will be a joint event with the Friends of Gloucestershire Archives.
Note that the Family History Centre will be closed from 12.30pm.

16/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

A rather gloomy picture of the old school, now a private dwelling.

As can be seen on the map, it was not built in the village, but between the three settlements of Kingscote, Newington Bagpath and Bagpath.

One sees the hand of the KIngscote family in this building, but, alas no records give further evidence of this. A Reading Room was in the village in the 19th Century (now the Village Hall), and, in the 1881 Census, there were two almhouses recorded. But, again, there are no records concerning them, so one has to assume they were the result of 19th philanthropy.

It was closed in 1961.

14/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

As the village of Kingscote is set back from the A4135, most people will only be familiar with the Hunters Hall, a 16th century coaching inn located in an isolated position on the road. It is still trading and under the ownership of Greene King. The old stables and blacksmiths shop have been converted into bedrooms.

The name reminds us of how important hunting was in this upland area. Hare coursing meets were regularly held in the Park until the end of the 19th century, and the Kingscote Hounds were in existence until at least 1938 (the last reference I can find of them).

with thanks to Know Your Place Gloucestershire for the use of the image

12/11/2025

For those researching Gloucestershire ancestors, this pair of books are invaluable, and can be bought from our website.

https://gfhs.org.uk/

11/11/2025

Kingscote - continued

The rood screen is thought to have been taken from the old family pew.

Address

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Clarence Row, Alvin Street
Gloucester
GL13AH

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441452524344

Website

https://gfhs.org.uk/

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