Family History Research

31/08/2026

CENSUSES - WHAT DO THEY CONTAIN? HOW DO THEY HELP RESEARCH?

I have provided details here for the England and Wales censuses only, Scottish and Irish censuses being somewhat different. A huge amount of helpful information can be found within censuses, amongst other things they recorded the name and surname of each person ‘who abode’ in the house/premises etc.

The 1841 census was taken on Sunday 6 June 1841 and was the first to list every individual. It contains details of the City or Borough, Parish, Place or Township. The addresses were vague (eg, Cottage, Village, description of place). Surnames and Christian names were shown but ages unreliable as adult ages were usually rounded up or down to the nearest 5 years. Occupations were recorded

The 1851 census was taken on Sunday 30 March 1851 and contains more detail. Those in Institutions and Vessels were recorded as well as households. Street names and house names were included along with the head of family being identified and others relating to that person, eg, wife, daughter, son, niece, brother etc. Conditions (eg married, single etc.) were shown along with age, rank, profession or occupation, where born, whether blind, deaf and or dumb

The 1861 census was taken on Sunday 7 April 1861 and includes road names, numbers and house names together with ages, relationships, conditions, place of birth and whether blind, deaf and or dumb

The 1871 census was taken on Sunday 2 April 1871, and records as above plus columns to be ticked if; 1, the person was deaf or dumb, 2, blind, 3, imbecile or idiot, and 4, lunatic

The 1881 census was taken on Sunday 3 April 1881 and was much the same as in 1871

The 1891 census was taken on Sunday 5 April 1891, as before but with the inclusion of enquiring if each ‘adult’ was an employer, employee, or neither

The 1901 census was taken on Sunday 31 March 1901, the only change was enquiring if the worker was an employee or had ‘own account’ (self employed), and whether working from home. Column 4 was now to be used to identify imbeciles or those of feeble-mind

The 1911 census was taken on Sunday 2 April 1911 and was usually completed and signed by the head of the household. The number of years of marriage was recorded, how many children had been born alive, how many had died and how many were still living. Personal occupations were shown along with details of industry or service the worker was connected with. There was a column to indicate whether one was an employer, a worker or had ‘own account’, if working from home that had to be recorded. Nationality was required, infirmities to be shown (the same conditions as before). The number of rooms was included, the kitchen counted as one room. The postal address was included

The 1921 census was taken on Sunday 19 June 1921….it was originally scheduled for 24 April but was postponed by nearly two months due to industrial unrest and coal shortages. This census included ages in both years and months, divorce had to be declared, for children under the age of 15 it was a requirement to record whether parents were still alive. It had to be identified if children at school or other educational institutions were attending full or part-time. Names of employer, type and place of business were needed

The 1931 census was completely destroyed in a fire which broke out in a storage facility at Hayes, Middlesex in 1942

There was no 1941 census due to WW11.

However, on 29 September 1939 the National Register was taken just weeks after war was declared. Identity cards were issued using the recorded details. These included names, full dates of birth, occupations along with war occupations if applicable. Women recorded as spinsters later had their married surname added to the Register

The 1951 census is due to be released in January 2052

If you would like me to research your family history, please contact
Hilary Emms
Family History Researcher
[email protected]
07870973655

23/08/2026

Brixham Smugglers

Records of smuggling start early in Brixham….in 1645 rolls of contraband to***co were located (it was only a few decades earlier that tradition says Sir Walter Raleigh smoked his first ‘cigarette/pipe’ at Greenway House a few miles away)

In 1787 there was a sale of smuggled goods, mainly rum, brandy and geneva (junipergin) from the Netherlands and Belgium; some was found on rafts in Torbay and Babbacombe Bay, the rest in Brixham town.

It has been said that the great days were between 1825 and 1835 but in South Devon this was just one phase as most recorded events took place after this time. The spirits such as ‘low hollands proof’ (geneva), were disposed of to miners.

A major haul was found in Brixham in 1851 when 142 bales of to***co were discovered in a cave. Many kegs of spirits were also smuggled…..in Torquay it was officially recorded that 91 barrels had been found and each contained between three and four gallons of good French brandy.

Tales of some of the local characters include Bob Elliott and his crew, Slippery Jack, Bob Dugdale and Aaron Trier; there were Fogwell and Shears, Green, Lakeman and Myers….in 1884 Bob had the gout and couldn’t get out when a cargo of stingo (a strong, sharp, well matured potent ale which had a ‘stinging bite’) was due, so, he had to ‘die’. There was a poem written depicting how Bob was ‘buried’ in a massive coffin ‘for he was no reed’, but that same night, three Coastguards homeward bound on the Totnes road saw the ghost of the deceased who was very alive! From then on he was known as ‘Resurrection Bob’.

One old salt was caught on Churston common ‘in possession’ but lived to smuggle another day by pretending to be the Devil himself by rising up through the early morning mist!

In the mid 19th century, cholera broke out in South Devon on several occasions, so, the Brixham smugglers took advantage of the superstitions and fearful inhabitants by driving their cargos from Goodrington Sands in the parish hearse with the horses’ hooves muffled in memory of the dead and a cortege of sombre ‘mourners’ walking reverently behind.

Many smugglers were ruthless villains and the Revenue men and Coastguards faced serious injury or even death, however, there is no evidence that the lawful guardians of the Bay ever came into violent conflict.

If you would like your family researched, please contact;
Hilary Emms
Family History Researcher
[email protected]
07870973655

17/08/2026

A Little History of Brixham Harbour and Fishing

As we know, Brixham has a long history as a fishing port.

John Leland, probably the first great recorder of British topography recorded that ‘the West pointe of Torrebay is caullid Byri and more than within one mile of this point is a pretty toune of Fischar men called Brixham…..’

Brixham was also being used as a port of general merchandise, barley was being landed in 1533 and tuns of wine were imported in 1534. In the 16th & 17th centuries the district was haunted by pirates notably John Nutt who was formerly a gunner on a Dartmouth ship and who began pirating off the Newfoundland Coast. After returning to England he set up the same occupation in Torbay.

During that period Brixham was considered to be a place where good water was obtainable and the British Navy were then seeking to improve the supply and access from the shore.

During the second half of the 18th century British Naval power increased and Torbay became a war anchorage for the fleet. Napoleon arrived on the ‘Bellerophon’ in July 1815, but Trafalgar had made the British Fleet supreme. No battle fleets were anchored in the Bay again for another century.

Brixham harbour began to take shape in 1803 when the foundation stone of the pier was laid and completed in 1804. Soon, the harbour became too small for the amount of ships needing to use it, so in 1837, the Quay Lords obtained powers to build a new, larger pier and breakwater. The foundation stone was laid in 1843 from loans and gifts which included £319 10s 11d raised by Brixham inhabitants (equivalent value in 2026, £52,611). 1,400 feet had been built to the designs of J C Rendell before the scheme had to stop due to lack of funds. The breakwater was badly damaged during gales and particularly the great storm of 1866, this led to authorised special tolls, approved in 1875 which were not dissolved until the new Brixham Urban District Council took over the harbour from the Harbour Commissioners (who had existed for nearly a century).

In 1909, with Government help, a 600 feet extension and in 1912, a further 1,000 feet was started which brought the total length to 3,000 feet including the lighthouse at the breakwater end. The opening ceremony took place in September 1916. By now, the total cost of the project had reached £100,000 (equivalent value in 2026, £11,290,909.80) value in 2026.
If you would like your family history researched please contact:-
Hilary Emms
Family History Researcher
[email protected]
07870973655

The Western Morning News 5 September 1916 report

10/08/2026

A Brief History of Brixham Roads

The Keyberry (Newton Abbot) - Kingswear road was under control of Dartmouth which was established in 1765, this ran through Whilborough and Marldon to Windy Corner. The Dartmouth, Torquay and Shaldon Consolidated Trust was formed in 1821.

Brixham’s main road originally passed through Churston Ferrers and into Higher Brixham along Monksbridge Road and Horsepool Street. The turnpike system developed during the 18th and 19th centuries, with toll gates at places such as Galmpton, Brixham and Nethway. Monksbridge became an important toll gate as Brixham’s population grew.

By the 1840’s the road between Windy Corner and Brixham Quay had been developed, while the road to the Higher ferry at Dartmouth remained a private road for many years.

By 1850, Brixham already had an omnibus service. Henry Mills, owner of the ‘Industry’ ran between Brixham and Torquay - but found himself in trouble for operating a stage carriage without a licence! A newspaper report from 25 May 1850 records that he was fined £10 plus costs (this figure equates to £1,747 in 2026). Apparently, one of his passengers had stopped for a drink at Paignton, causing Mr Mills to exceed the permitted speed of 4mph in an attempt to make up for the lost time!

The coming of the railway eventually contributed to the decline of the turnpike system which was abandoned in 1874.

Motor vehicles appeared in South Devon around 1898, and by the 1920’s public bus services were beginning to develop. Mr Geddes started a service between Brixham and Kingswear in May 1926, using a bus carrying 14 passengers. By the early 1930’s, several small operators were competing for passengers before Devon General eventually bought out its rivals.

From turnpikes and toll gates to horse-drawn omnibuses and motor buses, a fascinating part of our local heritage.

Hilary Emms
Family History Research
[email protected]…….07870973655

Photo, courtesy of John Holden

02/08/2026

Brixham’s Great Gale 1866

On the evening of Wednesday 10 January 1866 a storm ravaged the sea which resulted in the destruction of approximately 60 vessels and claimed the lives of over 100 sailors/fishermen. Reports from the time say that after the storm had abated one could traverse the coastline from Brixham to Paignton by walking across the wreckage of ships.

During this period, Brixham had emerged as one of England’s pivotal fishing ports therefore also hosting numerous visiting vessels alongside a multitude of local boats. Prior to January 10, a prolonged spell of adverse weather had persisted but by the afternoon it seemed the worst had passed. Many ships seeking refuge in the calmer waters of Torbay decided to resume their journeys.

In a bid to guide ships back into harbour, the women of Brixham constructed a huge bonfire at the end of the Breakwater (which was not as long as it is today), using anything from their homes that was combustible.

These women not only assisted in guiding the ships but also extended their aid to the rescued sailors, providing food and shelter. Unfortunately, the nearest lifeboat in Teignmouth was dealing with the storm there. The next day Teignmouth lifeboat was hauled 10 miles to Torquay Strand by a team of men and horses to aid two surviving ships, but for most, it was too late.

Only a few vessels survived and for five ships no remnants were ever found. Over the following weeks, corpses continued to wash ashore in Torbay and the surrounding areas, many of them in such a bad state that not all were identified (I have included the St Mary’s burial records for the deceased here).

Mr Milton, the coastguard at the time expressed his horror during an enquiry into the tragedy. Despite the Court’s conclusion that a lifeboat in Brixham could have done little to help due to the storm’s strength and direction, the absence of a lifeboat in Torbay became glaringly apparent.

On Saturday 22 August ‘Stormfest 160’ is being held commemorating 160 years of the establishment of Torbay’s first lifeboat station. Events are being held in Teignmouth, Torquay and Brixham (see Brixham Signal July 2026). Brixham’s first lifeboat was the ‘City of Exeter’ which arrived here in October 1866.

See also the poem ‘Wives of Brixham’ which was written by Menella Bute Smedley (1820 - 1871), together with Brixham Theatre’s Interactive Stories and Music each Tuesday evening during August, on the Quay, 6.30 - 9pm

Hilary Emms
Family History Researcher
[email protected]
07870973655

31/07/2026

26/07/2026

This week, a little modern history.......Brixham College trip to Aviemore 1971. Can you put the names to the faces?

19/07/2026

Other Brixham Schools listed in Trade and Commercial Directories

1830 Elizabeth Easton, Fore Street
1830 Ann Ford & Sarah Wade, Bank Street
1830 Julia Puddicombe, Woodlands
1830 Richard Spuring, Higher Brixham, he was William Bovey’s
former teacher

1838 Miss N Ford, Fore Street, Boarding
1838 Miss C Delley, Fore Street, Boarding & Day
1838 Wm Bovey, Bank Street, Commercial Day

1844 Wm Bovey, Fore Street
1844 The Missess’ Elliott, Bolton Street
1844 Nancy/Ann Ford, Fore Street

1856 Miss Sophia Margaret Emeric, Ladies School, also see 1869

1869 Mrs Bovey, Ladies Day & Boarding, Fore Street,
Wm Bovey, Ray’s Hill (private residence Fore Street), the
1841 and 1851 Census records William Bovey as school
master with his wife and family in Fore Street, Brixham.
The 1871 Census reveals that William is a Private school
teacher and Land Surveyor, and his wife Marianne, a
teacher at private school, their daughter, Mary Adams
Bovey, age 39, assistant to teacher in private school.
By the time of the 1881 census, William and Marianne
are at 56 New Road and William, age 72, is recorded as
as Clerk to the Local School Board, Marianne, age 80 is
still recorded as a teacher. Marianne died in 1883 with
William following in 1886
1869 Mrs Wakeham, Ladies Day and Boarding, Fore Street. In the
1851 and 1871 Censuses, Roger & Charlotte Wakeham
are recorded as school mistress and master, in Fore Street
1869 Miss De St Dalmas (my research indicates that this lady
was formerly Miss Sophia Margaret Emeric, see 1856),
Ladies Day & Boarding, Greenswood Road
1869 The Misses’ Tozer, Ladies Day & Boarding, Bolton Street
1869 Wm Gains, Mathematical and Commercial, Day &
Boarding, Burton Street

1878 R S Wakeham, Day & Boarding, Middle Street
1878 Wm Bovey, Day & Board, Classical, Mathematical and
Commercial

1883 Roger Steere Wakeham, Boys School, Chapel Hill
1883 MIsses’ Emma & Ellen Burlace, Ladies School, New Road
1883 Miss Mary Erskine, Ladies School, Bolton Terrace
1883 Miss Sarah Jane Decent, Ladies School, Manor Terrace
1883 Miss Elizabeth Ellen Jones, Ladies Boarding, Rockend

1890 Wm Murray, Private School, New Road

1893 Minnie & Ada Jackson, Ladies Boarding, Rockvale House,
New Road

1914 Mrs Ethel Moulton (also Ethel Moxey), Boarding, New Road

1915 Mrs Moulton, Dancing Class, Rockvale Road

1923 Mrs Ethel Moulton, Boarding School, Burton Street
1923 Hillside College, Parkham Wood

1957 Miss Veasey, Homelands, Upper Manor Road closed

Hilary Emms
Family History Research
[email protected]
07870973655

18/07/2026

I got over 30 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉