SUFFOLK Family History Society

IPSWICH GROUP

INTRODUCTION

Ipswich is the county town of Suffolk. The first Charter was granted to the town in 1200 by King John and Charter Day is still celebrated each year by a procession from the civic church of St Mary le Tower to the town hall of the Mayor and councillors lead by a knight on a horse.

It is also the birthplace of Cardinal Wolsey a butcher's son who was born in St Nicholas Street about 1471. As well as Wolsey's gate, sadly now in a state of decay there is the new Wolsey Theatre and the Wolsey Art Gallery in the town.

Ipswich is proud of its parks none more so than Christchurch Park which houses both Christchurch Mansion (see picture) and the Martyr's memorial.

Another fine building is the County Hall, shortly to be vacated by the County Council. It houses the court where Wallis Simpson obtained her divorce prior to her marriage to the Duke of Windsor. The Gaol was also close to this building and public executions took place at it's front.

The town has many fine churches; the twelve ancient ones being St Mary le Tower, St Margaret's, St Matthews, St Mary Quay, St Peters, St Mary Elm, St Stephen, St Lawrence, St Helens, St Clement's, St Nicholas and St Mary Stoke. In addition the Unitarian meetinghouse and Christchurch, (formerly an independent church in Tacket Street,) have a long history.

CONTACT

Secretary: Julie Garwood
Email

PROGRAMME

The Ipswich group of the Suffolk Family History Society meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month in at Red Cross Hall Chevallier Street Ipswich (entry via the Car park at the rear of LloydsTSB on Bramford Road Ipswich (near the Record office).