Studland is situated 3 miles north of Swanage and is bounded on the north by Poole Harbour, on the east by Studland Bay and on the south east by Swanage Bay. In 1851 the parish comprised of 3,800 acres consisting mainly of heathland, woodland, marsh and a large fresh-water lake all rich in plant and animal life. The four miles of sandy beaches are an attraction to local people and visitors each year. Situated on the Godlingston Heath is the Agglestone, a huge sandstone boulder which is 18ft high, 80ft round and weighs about 400 tons. Old Harry Rocks, a chalk stack separated from the coast, are an impressive coastal feature. The population of Studland in 1891 was 432. In 1991 it was 471.

Postcard in possession of Cyndi Mark

 

The church of St Nicholas, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, stands near the west side of the parish and although it has Saxon origins it is a nearly perfect specimen of the Norman period, being restored in 1883. During the building of the tower, work was abandoned so it remains unfinished. It was possibly thought that the foundations couldn't handle the intended height and so left it as we see it today. In John Hutchins 'History of Dorset' he states that 'it is a small but very ancient building and consists of a chancel and body tiled, and a low tower on two semi-circular arches, which intersect each other' and later 'the tower is covered with lead, and supported by three buttresses on the north and south, and has in it four bells. The loft of the tower and the chancel is arched work of stone. Under the eaves of the body without are small abutments of stone, some double, on which are carved the faces of men and animals.'

The Online Parish Clerk for Studland is Sue Mills

Any enquiries please contact by email at the following:

I am an unpaid volunteer willing to assist others with their genealogical research and should in no way be confused with the County Council appointed Parish Clerk.

I live in Western Australia.

 

 

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SWANAGE - LANGTON MATRAVERS - WORTH MATRAVERS - STUDLAND - CHURCH KNOWLE
AND MY PERSONAL RESEARCH

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17th Century Records : Protestation Returns Hearth Tax

 

Parish Registers : Baptisms - 1581 - 1880  *New Transcription by Sue Mills,  Barry Chinchen and BVRI 1581 - 1699,    1700 - 1799 1800 - 1841,    1842 - 1880   Marriages - 1637 - 1841  Transcription by Sue Mills,  Barry Chinchen and BVRI 1637 - 1880   Burials - 1636 - 1880  *New Transcription by Barry Chinchen and Sue Mills 1636 - 1726,   1731 - 1823,  1824 - 1880   List of Rectors - 1300 - 1853

 

Militia List : Some Purbeck Militia Lists

 

Census Returns : Full transcription of 1803 list of names of inhabitants in preparation for a French Invasion - Page 1 - Page 2 Full transcription of 1841 census - Page 1 - Page 2 Full transcription of 1851 census - Page 1 - Page 2 Full transcription of 1861 census - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 Full transcription of 1871 census -                 Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 1881 census. - Free transcription or pay per image http://www.ancestry.co.uk/   Full transcription of 1891 census - Page 1 - Page 2 1901 census. - Free transcription or pay per image http://www.ancestry.co.uk/

 

Wills : Index of PCC Wills from the period 1599-1851 on DocumentsOnline   Abstracts of PCC Wills - Page 1   Calendar of Wills and Administrations - Archdeaconry and Consistory Court - 1661 - 1857 Abstracts of Archdeaconry Court of Dorset Wills - Page  1

 

Directories : Hunts - 1851 Post Office Directory - 1867 Kelly's Directory - 1895 Kelly's Directory - 1915

 

Maps : Saxon Estates in Purbeck Domesday Map Tresswell's Map C 1586 Tresswell's Map of Studland 1586 Braye's Map - 1890 Modern Map

 

Photos : St Nicholas Church - 1 Images of Studland Studland of Olde - 1 - 2 Memorial Inscriptions - 1 - 2 - 3 Purbeck Folk  - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7

 

Suggested Reading : Purbeck -  Books, Newspapers & Documents

 

Researchers :     List of those researching in Purbeck To be added to the list contact

 

Links : Dorchester Gaol Registers - 1782 - 1853 19th Century Tithe Map Apportionments Transcriptions   Link to an interesting site on St Nicholas Church History and photos of St Nicholas Church Old Harry Rocks - 1 - 2   The Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum **NEW**     History of Ball Clay - Clayworkers

 

Other OPC Parishes - Worth Matravers - Langton Matravers - Swanage - Church Knowle

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