Laxfield, Suffolk Genealogy

England   Suffolk    Hoxne Hundred   Suffolk Parishes  Laxfield

Parish History
LAXFIELD, a village and a parish in Hoxne district, Suffolk. The village stands near the river Blythe, 6¼ miles N of Framlingham r. station; was once a markettown; and has a post office under Wickham-Market, and fairs on 12 May and 25 October.

"LAXFIELD [All Saints], a parish, in the large and pleasant village, near the source of the river Blythe, 6 miles N. by E. of Framlingham, and 4 miles E.8.E. of Stradbroke, which includes the hamlet of Banyards Green. (View Pictures of Laxfield and Parish Church) It is in three manors, one of which, with the rectory and advowson, was granted by Robert Mallet to Eye Priory, and was granted, in the 28th of Henry VIII., to Edmund Bedingfield. Another manor was granted, as part of the possessions of Leiston Abbey, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, in the same year. John Wingfield, in Edward IV.'s reign, obtained a grant for a weekly market here, which was formerly much resorted to, and still the neighbouring farmers meet a number of buyers at the Royal Oak Inn, every Monday, for the purpose of selling corn by sample. Two large cattle and sheep fairs are held here annually, on May 12th and Oct. 25th. Lord Huntingfield is now lord of the manors of Laxtield and Laxfield Rectory, which comprise all the parish, except the small manor of Stadhnuyh, which belongs to Smith's Charity, as afterwards noticed. A great part of the parish is copyhold, subject to arbitrary fines; and among the other principal proprietors are, the Earl of Gosford, Sir E. Kerrison...."

Resources
If you live in Suffolk then you will have access to a variety of resources; however, for those who live further afield, one can access microfilm and online records at Family History Centers. Refer to and  in the Family History Library Catalog for available records.

Civil Registration
Laxfield was in Hoxne district till 1907 at which time it was moved into Hartismere District. In 1907 Hoxne district was abolished. To search an index of Hoxne or Hartismere district records go to FreeBMD. The Suffolk Civil Registration article tells more about these records. While the district had been created in 1837 for the purpose of recording births, deaths, and marriages, the Hundred had been in existence for hundreds of years for administrative, military, and judicial purposes.

Church records
The Parish Registers begin in 1579. They can be view at the Suffolk Record Office. A copy of the registers from 1579 to 1900 can be purchased from the Suffolk Record Office. For pre-1813 Bishop Transcript entries you will need to look in Hoxne Deanry, Archdeaconry of Suffolk. Parish Chest records are lacking for Laxfield. See Suffolk Church Record for further details.

Laxfield Parish registers of christenings, marriages and burials have been partly transcribed and are displayed online at the following web sites and ranges of years: The Suffolk Family History Society publishes their indexes on CD. Laxfield will be found on the CD for Hoxne deanery.

parish registers of christenings, marriages and burials are available online for the following years:

Probate records
Prior to 1858 the primary court that had jurisdiction over Laxfield was the Archdeaconry of Suffolk; however, a person’s will or administration may have been probated in nearby courts or even in London. After 1858 it was in Ipswich District. Refer to the Suffolk Probate Records article for further details.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Suffolk Gazetteers and Directories from 1839 to 1909 - Suffolk Gazetteers and directories provide a brief history and description of each parish and lists principal residents. They mention the farmers and tradesman in each parish and the nearest market towns among other items.
 * National Gazetteers provide a brief description of each place
 * Vision of Britain - Laxfield, is a village and a parish in Hoxne district, Suffolk. The village is near the river Blythe, it is 6¼ miles N of Framlingham railway station.


 * England Jurisdictions 1851 maps - see parish in context with surrounding parishes also determine various ecclesiastical and civil jurisdictions for this parish
 * Laxfield on Google maps - see lay of the land as it is today