England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Clifton St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Clifton lies in the extreme southwest of Gloucestershire, indeed it forms part of the border with neighbouring Somerset. Clifton, whilst at one time a separate village, is now embedded within the metropolitan city of Bristol. Clifton lies about a mile northwest of the heart of Bristol, standing on the iconic Avon Gorge bridged by its equally iconic suspension bridge. Clifton is rumoured to have more ancient origins than Bristol itself, some sources claim it as being pre-Roman in origin. Whatever its ancient origins Clifton grew explosively following claims that the water, sourced from the limestone rock on which Clifton stands, was a cure for major ills including scrofula and even cancer. Clifton's Spa attracted thousands and many stayed building, along with wealthy Bristolians large houses on the heights of Clifton above the squalor that lay below in the city. The heart of Clifton lies in the area bordered to the west by the Avon Gorge, to the south by the access road to the suspension bridge and to the east by the A4018 which connected Bristol to Westbury on Trym. Clifton is located at around 90 metres above sea level, with the gorge to the west falling to almost sea level, being built on limestone there is no surface drainage that has not been incorporated into the waste water systems but the Avon runs northwestwards to meet the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth. The parish of Clifton was rather small for a Gloucestershire parish but by the end of this transcript period the population had grown to over 14,000 parishioners.

The Church

Unfortunately St Andrew's church fell victim to World War 2 bombing, the newspaper images borrowed for this page show the devastation that was meted out. The church was finally demolished in 1956. The building which was destroyed was not, however, the mediaeval church of the village of Clifton as that had been removed and replaced in 1820 by the building illustrated. The building was described by Pevsner as having been designed in "the insouciant Gothic of its day". The original St Andrews was a small structure, first mentioned in the 12th century and with recorded additions in 1716 & 1768 to support the growing population. Today the site of St Andrews remains as green space, it is sited on the northern side of Clifton Hill and very well screened by tall trees. The original metal gates at the western end of the site still give access to the graveyard.

Some fading leads to a possibility of some misreads

The 4 registers covering 1767 to 1812 are bundled into a single archival deposit by Bristol Archives

Some fading leads to a possibility of some misreads

The 4 registers covering 1767 to 1812 are bundled into a single archival deposit by Bristol Archives

Some fading leads to a possibility of some misreads

The 4 registers covering 1767 to 1812 are bundled into a single archival deposit by Bristol Archives