Norfolk Registration Districts
The map shows the Norfolk parishes which were grouped together by the New Poor Laws enacted in 1836 and are based on the details provided by William White's 1845 Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk. Their location is largely taken from the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction map of Norfolk sold by the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies of Northgate, Canterbury, Kent which should be used to locate parishes in neighbouring districts.
Map of Norfolk Registation Districts
There were many changes to these districts over the years, some being abolished and merged with their adjoining districts and others re-named, eg. Tunstead became Smallburgh. The whole of Norfolk was categorised as Registration District number XIII until 1852 when it became number 4b. In 1946 there were many changes and whilst the Norfolk number remained as 4b there were parts of the old 4a merged with it. New names appeared: Acle, Fakenham, Norwich Outer and North Walsham for example. In 1974 the Registration District numbers were changed yet again and Norfolk became number 10. Places like East Dereham were given registration district status.
Establishment of Registration Districts began following the birth of civil registration in 1836. The records actually start in July 1837. There were 24 Superintendents' Registration Districts each of which contained a number of sub-districts.
| Abbr. | District | Abbr. | District | Abbr. | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayl | Aylsham | For | Forehoe | Nor | Norwich |
| Blo | Blofield | Fly | Freebridge Lynn | Swf | Swaffham |
| Dep | Depwade | Gui | Guiltcross | Tht | Thetford |
| Doc | Docking | Hen | Henstead | Tun | Tunstead & Happing |
| Dow | Downham | Hox | Hoxne * | Wal | Walsingham |
| Erp | Erpingham | Kyl | Kings Lynn | Way | Wayland |
| Stf | Faiths St | Lod | Loddon & Clavering | Wis | Wisbech |
| Flg | Flegg | Mit | Mitford & Launditch | Yar | Yarmouth Great |
* NOTE: The Hoxne Registration District is in Suffolk. Only the parish of Mendham in the Hoxne RD is within the boundaries of Norfolk so there is no map of the RD provided for Norfolk.
To view an account of Norfolk Registration Districts from White's Directory click here . . .
Donovan J. Murrells book: "Registration Districts of Norfolk in 1836, with maps and lists of parishes" is worth reading if you are interested in finding out more.