Primary Sources
Author: Nev. Ramsden
St.Bees Parish Registers, which includes the township of Whitehaven
There is no information concerning Baptisms for the years 1683 through to 1697 within the existing registers. There are similar gaps in the Marriage Registers about this time. Generally the Registers are not in good condition and are difficult, if not impossible, to read in some years. It is claimed that some registers have been involved in a fire in times past.
Also the Bishops Transcripts are not complete around this time period. The years existing are: 1676, 1686, 1689, 1690, 1691, 1692, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1705 and 1707 and onwards.
By combing the two sources you have the following result:-
BAPTISMS: part of year 1682, 1683, 1684, 1685, part of 1686, 1687, 1688 and 1693 are all missing.
MARRIAGES: the years 1671, 1683, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688, 1693 are missing
BURIALS: are not complete:- part of 1672, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1677 & part of 1678 are missing.
These registers have been transcribed, printed and published by the CWAAS.
Probate
[to be filled in later]
Port Records
[a note by the editor, Chris Dickinson]
There are a very few years that have surviving port records for Whitehaven, held at TNA. These list the name of the ship and its master - and one other name that could be taken either as the principal merchant or the "ship's husband" (in other words, the person responsible for the voyage as a whole - cargoes, crew, and the like). In East India Company records, he (or she) would be described as the 'Principal Managing Owner'.
The details of the cargoes (from coal to wigs and looking glasses) are also listed in such records.
There may also be port records surviving for the destination port, whether in Ireland or the Colonies.