GenUKI Contents

Bedfordshire

BIDDENHAM

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"BIDDENHAM, a parish in the hundred of Willey, in the county of Bedford, 2 miles to the west of Bedford. It is on the east bank of the river Ouse, which almost surrounds the parish. The living is a vicarage (with parsonage and glebe) in the diocese of Ely, value £100, in the patronage of Lord Dynevor. The church contains a brass of the year 1440, and is dedicated to St. James. It is in the Roman style of architecture, and bears evidence of great antiquity. The spire, which is covered with lead, is partially damaged by fire. In the interior is an altar-piece of tapestry, bearing date 1542, in good preservation."

[The above was transcribed (and edited) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2023

The following information was transcribed by Craig Pickup from Kelly's Bedfordshire Directory, 1940

• "CHURCH END, a part of Biddenham, situated ½ mile to the west of Biddenham."

Census

• The 1851 Census Index for Biddenham can be found in the 1851 Index to Census of Bedfordshire, Volume 1, Book 3 available from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.

Churches

• Here are photographs of Churches etc. in the parish:
  • St. James's Church, Biddenham.
    • Internal view looking down the nave
    • The font
• There are photographs and a description of St James's on the Bedfordshire Parish Churches website.
• The following Churches have their own websites:
  • St. James's Church, Biddenham

Church History

• Church of England
  • The church of St. James is an edifice of stone, in the Norman and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattled central tower with small spire, containing a clock and 6 bells, re-cast and re-hung in 1895 ; cleaned in 1894, and in a fair state of preservation, is a piece of tapestry, bearing date 1549 : there are two hagioscopes and piscinae : inserted in the north wall of the chancel is a quaint monument of alabaster and marble to the Boteler family dated 1621: there are several mural tablets and some curious brasses. The register dates from the year 1663. [Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire - 1898]

Church Records

• Church of England
  • The parish record transcripts for St James are available on microfiche for the period 1663-1812 from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.

Community Websites

• The Biddenham Parish Council website deals with history, and has maps and a photo gallery etc.

Gazetteers

• A transcript of the Biddenham parish entries from Samuel Lewis's 1831 Topographical Dictionary of England,
• A transcript of the Biddenham parish entries from Samuel Lewis's 1835 Topographical Dictionary of England,
• A transcript of the Biddenham parish entries from The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales, 1866-9

Military History

• The BFHS Project in conjunction with Roll of Honour contains the Biddenham War Memorial transcription for WW1 and WW2 with details of the men found on it.