Local Knowledge - Marden Kent

[supernova7]

My great grandfather, John Martin (b 1864), and his ancestors (Martin, Harris, East) lived in the Marden, Kent area in the 1820-1860s.  However, I have been unable to determine where exactly in Marden they lived and I have been told that Marden, geographically,  is a large rural parish. So was he born, and did they live, in the parish of Marden, or the village of Marden itself?

From the birth certificates of John and his mother I know they were born in the sub-district of Marden in the Rego District of Maidstone but no other detail is provided.

In the 1861 census, John's mother, or grandmother, depending on the version of my family history you choose to believe,  was living at St Anns Green, Marden. I have been unable to establish where exactly, this is.

By 1871, the Martin and related families appear to have left the Marden area and were scattered across other areas of Kent.

So, the general questions I have are, is it possible to determine from certificates or census if my ancestors lived in the village of Marden or the broader Marden parish? If they lived in another village in Marden parish, would that  be clearly recorded on certificates and census?

Any insight into this part of the world, at this point in time, would be gratefully received.

James
Sydney, Australia

[jeanharris]

Hi,
My Marsh family came from Marden.It is a village near Maidstone in Kent.I would think if it said Marden it would be the village!There are alot of villages around that area and in my records it states the village they were living in.There are lots of web sites for that area  put in Marden and see what you get!
I was born in Kent but never been to Marden!
   Regards Jean,Perth Australia.

[bearkat]

   You should be able to find out where your families were living by looking at the Tythe map schedule for Marden.  Sadly Marden is not included on the Kent Archaelological Society site
(visit this site for more info:)
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Maps/Maps%20intro.htm

so a visit to CKS or purchase of the CDrom would be required.

[Ceci]

Map showing Marden at this link

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=574207&y=144553&z=3&sv=marden&st=3&tl=Marden,+Kent+[Town]&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf

Regards Ceci

[bearkat]

Marden MIs are being transcribed and are online:

http://www.mardenchurch.org.uk/ck/?page_ref=338

[bearkat]

Marden CMB are being transcribed by the Marden Society History Group

http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/marriages1.htm

 marriages 1754-1771 and 1813-1880 are searchable so far


http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/burials1.htm

burials Nov 1561 to March 1623 in churchyard
& 1932 to March 2005 in Marden cemetery


http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/wills1.htm

for Marden wills


http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/poor.asp

for poor law records

[Alan b]

I just want to say a quick thanks to bearkat for the links above, I have two separate lines of my family that come from Marden so these links are very handy.

[mlrfn448]

You should check out the following web site
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/

And look for Marden in Kent, map dated 1871. It takes a bit of scrolling around, enlarging, etc, but then St Ann’s Green can clearly be seen just north of Battle Lane and south of Blue House farm.

If you compare to a modern map
http://www.streetmap.co.uk, you can see St Ann’s Green Lane is marked in a slightly different position. Battle Lane is on both maps.

This should help you with understanding whereabouts your ancestors lived.

[supernova7]

Thanks Dave - great site.

James
Sydney, Australia