Hearth Tax Records?

[truebritmega]

Hi there, someone mentioned to me recently "hearth tax records"... can anyone tell me what they are, what info they hold, and where we can access them?

For me, im loking for them in regards to Staffordshire

Thanks in advance

[newburychap]

Hearth taxes was what is says on the box - a tax based on the number of hearths in the house.  The tax was levied between 1662 and 1690 and collected every six months.

Surviving records are generally held at The National Archives in Kew - some local copies may are in record offices.  There is a Gibson Guide to the various holdings.  Many have been transcribed, so you might be able to buy a copy for the area of interest or see it at a library (perhaps via interlibrary loan).

The records I have seen (which do not include Staffordshire) list householders by county, hundred, village/hamlet. Housholders are named and the number of hearths shown alongside, poorer householders may be listed as exempt (too poor to pay).  Survival of the records varies by year and place - the 1662 and 1666 seem to have survived the best.

[behindthefrogs]

There are two sources of hearth tax records.  The national archives and local county record offices.  The former holds copies of the assessments and various other records concerning the actual payments, arrears etc..  A few county record  offices have the original assessments.

The payment accounts for 1664 were the subject of printed lists and these do exist for Staffordshire in the National Archives.  Unlike some of the other records these include actual names.

David

[california dreamin]

Hi -
Could I also add here that this tax was very unpopular with widespread evasion and under reporting.  I would assume that it is an incomplete list. It is useful as an indication of local surnames and will assist in showing the wealth and status of people within  a community.
Cheers

[truebritmega]

Thank you all for your answers... at least now i know what they are and what they can tell me:). i dont suppose theres any online search places for them?

[Redroger]

A quick Google suggests 36,400 sites. Why not give it a go? Your area might be amongst them.

[behindthefrogs]

Try searching the National Archives Catalogue.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

David

[asgaard]

 http://www.rootschat.com/links/080o/   

This link tells you where the records for Staffs are held.

[Redroger]

Truebritmega. As they date from the same general period as the Hearth Tax, but are some 20-30 years earlier, it might be worth while to see if the Protestation Returns have survived for the district you are looking at.