Staffordshire tithe maps go online after a decade of work by volunteers
Tithe maps and land records of Staffordshire in the 1840s have been published online thanks to the hard work of volunteers.
The maps have been added to the website Staffordshire Past Track ( staffspasttrack.org. uk) following a decade of effort by volunteers working on behalf of Staffordshire County Council’s Archives and Heritage Service.
The volunteers spent the first seven years indexing the tithe awards containing information about each plot of land. They then digitised the maps using a camera bought thanks to fundraising by the Friends of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archives ( bit.ly/facebook-fossa).
Richard Totty, chair of the Friends, said: “These are fascinating historical records for the county, and are important resources for anyone interested in parish, house and family history.
“Many of the maps are beautifully handdrawn, and it’s great news that they are now available for people to view online. It was a long project, but we’re all really pleased with the final results. I’d like to thank all of the volunteers for their time, and those organisations who provided the funding to make it happen.”
The records were created between 1836 and 1845. Tithes were originally a tax that required one-tenth of all agricultural produce to be paid annually to support the local church and clergy. After the Reformation much land passed from the church to landowners, who inherited the entitlement to receive tithes. The 1836 Tithe Commutation Act updated this requirement to replace agricultural produce with monetary rent, and the records were drawn up to establish which areas were subject to tithes, who owned them and how much was payable. They cover around 70 per cent of Staffordshire.
Tithe maps from the 1840s are often the earliest detailed maps of parishes, showing houses, roads, footpaths, fields and woods. The tithe awards, which are also available online, list the owners and occupiers of each plot.
The maps collection can be viewed at bit.ly/ stathmaps. Researchers can view the maps for free, and purchase a digital copy for £10.
The project received funding and sponsorship for individual maps from local history groups, parish councils and businesses, as well as from individual donors.