Collections

Explore Essex

All Visitors can Explore Essex.  Check back from time to time to see what’s new. If you sign up for our newsletter you will get notices of new material.  If you are looking for something specific, please write to us.

Maps

Available Now

Section of Map of Essex used as a theme for the Map Collection

Maps of Essex, London, and Villages

Local History

Coming 2024

Photo of pre-1900 books with heavy bindings used as a theme for the Local History collection

About places and events that impacted communities

Vital Records by Parish

Explore 19th century vital records for Wood families who lived in the heart of Essex. This collection of reports, which you can download, emphasize Marriages. We are working to upload new reports as fast as possible.

 

Although records for Wood families are scattered throughout Essex, the concentration of Marriages and Wills are in the Registration Districts of Bellericay, Chelmsford, Maldon, and Ongar, which form the heart of Essex. For now the focus is on these parishes.

Transcriptions of Original Sources

Register to access transcriptions of Original Sources.  To register, you need to share information about an Anchor Ancestor who lived in Essex before 1852. Your contribution will help link the Wood families of Essex.

Newspaper Clippings

Coming 2024

Photo of newspaper stand used as a theme for the Newspaper Clippings collection

Obituaries, announcements, and people in the News

Become a Research Partner to access the Table of Newspaper Clippings.

Military, Trade, Crime

Coming 2024

Photo of metal police handcuffs used as a theme for Military, Trade and Crime collection

Military, Apprenticeships, and Prosecutions

Become a Research Partner to access Military, Trade, and Crime. 

Will Index

The Index of Wills has over 200 entries, which includes the surname of Wood, plus surnames of spouses.  The transcription are useful for anyone unfamiliar with Secretary Hand, which can be challenging for modern readers.

 

The index includes Wills not yet uploaded but we are working hard to provide them as soon as possible.  Write us if you want to view a Will not yet uploaded, or if you a searching for a Will.  We might have it.