Stondon (Upper and Lower)

Lower Stondon c.1910 [Z1306/114/3] 

We have not yet been able to compile comprehensive history pages for Stondon. If you would like to carry out research and contribute to this site we would be delighted to hear from you.  

Stondon in its current form is a civil parish formed in 1985 when the ancient parish of Upper Stondon was combined with the hamlet of Lower Stondon, which had previously been part of the parish of Shillington. Bedfordshire Archives holds many documents relating to the parish; a search of our online catalogue with Stondon as the subject returns over 1300 items. Significant collections for researching people or places in Stondon include:  

• P55: Records for the parish of All Saints, Stondon, including: registers of baptisms, marriages and burials; records relating to church property; account books of overseers of the poor; enclosure awards. 

• P44: Records for the parish of All Saints, Shillington, including: registers of baptisms, marriages and burials; records relating to church property; account books of overseers of the poor; settlement and removal papers. 

• PCStondon: Parish council records, including: minutes; documents relating to rights of way, planning and other local matters  

• PCShillington: Parish council records, including: minutes; documents relating to rights of way, planning and other local matters. From 1964 to 1985 it was known as Shillington and Stondon Parish Council. 

• HA1202: Enclosure Act: Upper Gravenhurst and Upper Stondon, 1820 

• MA66/2 Map accompanying Parliamentary Enclosure Award, 1851, and Award Book L 

• MC1/5/0/1: Books of reference to the first edition OS plans 

• LJeayes/Land: History of parcels of land (medieval deeds) 

• SDStondon Lower Stondon School [Church, Board, Council, CP, Lower] 

• ABP/W: Wills proved in the Archdeaconry of Bedford, 1536-1857  

• QSR: Quarter Sessions Records for Bedfordshire from 1714-1900. A search combining Stondon as the subject and QSR as the reference will find criminal cases in which the parish is mentioned.   

• X159: Three farm books, mainly wage accounts, of Manor Farm, Upper Stondon 

• X939/62: Stondon Women's Institute 

• Z963/13-16: Parish magazines  

• Z50/114: Photographs of Stondon  

• Z1130/114: Postcards with pictures of Stondon  

• Z1306/114: Postcards with pictures of Stondon  

Further details of these items can be found through our online catalogue. Our detailed collection guides give more information about the types of records we hold.   

Other useful sources for information about Stondon include:  

• Victoria County History entry for Stondon, available through British History Online. Although published in 1908 most of the information is still relevant.   

• The National Archives' Manorial Documents Register lists all manorial documents known to survive for the manors of Upper Stondon. 

• Open Domesday lists 2 entries for Stondon in the Domesday Book of 1086  

Copies of the parish registers listing baptisms, marriages and burials up to 1812 can be purchased from Bedfordshire Archives.  

We offer an enquiry and research service, however this is limited to local history, properties and general subjects; we are no longer able to carry out genealogy research.