Those confusing Deans (General)

by Roger Griffiths , Friday, August 03, 2012, 15:30 (4490 days ago) @ unknown

Hello Pangur,

Into the 19th Century, the FoD was extra Parochial, ie an inhabited area but was not populous enough for the CofE to be justified in forming parishes and building churches. It was referred to as Forest and then East and West Dean which was used for administrative purposes such as the Census. I could list the 'villages' that formed East and West Dean but it won't help. People were prepared to walk long distances to their favoured church. My great grandfathers sister lived in Soudley, East Dean but was married in St Paul's Parkend (West Dean) in 1850. Her nearest parish church was St John's Cinderford, but St Paul's has a special charm, most impressive.

I'm afraid that if your interest is in the Brain family you must cast your net wide and list every Brain over the whole area and try to make sense of it.