Durham Contents Nearby Places

Bishopwearmouth

"The township of Bishopwearmouth extends from the sea on the east; on the west it takes in Pallion, and is here bounded by the township of Ford; and it lies between Sunderland township and the Wear, with an extension on the south-west as far as High Barnes and Tunstall. Its area is 2669 acres, and ratable value in 1893 was £331,833."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

• Cemeteries
• Census
• Church History
• Church Records

Cemeteries

Census

"Its population in 1801 was 6126; in 1811, 7060; in 1821, 9476; in 1831, 14,462; in 1841, 23,693; in 1851, 31,261; in 1861, 45,673; in 1871, 59,032, in 1881, 74,441; and in 1891, 86,418."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

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Church History

"Bishopwearmouth Parish Church is a cruciform structure, dedicated to St. Michael, situated in High Street, where it was rebuilt in 1807, on the site of the ancient church, which had existed since the days of Athelstan, but having become "ruinous and uncomfortable," it was taken down and the present edifice erected in its stead, partly at the expense of the pew-holders, and partly at the expense of the parish. The tower was added to the church shortly after its opening, and in 1849 and the following year, the transepts were added. The old church contained a chantry dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, valued at the Dissolution at £3, 15s. 4d."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

There is a picture (21 kbytes) of the parish church of St. Michael, Bishopwearmouth (Sunderland Minster); supplied by Richard Hird.

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Church Records

The Parish Registers for the period 1567-1901 are deposited at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (EP/Biw).

The Marriages (1568-1837) are included in the Joiner Marriage Index.

Marriage indexes for

• 1813-1823
• 1824-1831 and
• 1832-1837

from the George Bell Collection of Durham and Northumberland Indexes.

The following records for churches in the ancient parish of Bishopwearmouth are also available at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL:-

• North Hylton 1874-1976 (EP/Ca).
• Ryhope 1827-1973 (EP/Ry).
• Silksworth 1870-1973 (EP/Si).
• South Hylton 1821-1970 (EP/SHy).

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