Records of the Bridgeman Family

The catalogue has been organised as follows:

An introduction part one consisting of family papers (excluding correspondence), estate records, photographs and publications; and part two consisting of W. C. and C. B. Bridgeman correspondence.

Deposited by Mrs Stacey on 4 November 1983

This collection consists of records relating to the Bridgeman and Clive families as well as some estate records. They complement other records held by the Record Office relating to these families. Work on this collection began several years ago with the preparation of an item by item list of the correspondence of Caroline Beatrix and William Clive Bridgeman; the latter being the first Viscount Bridgeman. The remaining records were arranged and listed more recently to fit within the constraints of the scheme established by the list of correspondence. The records, other than the correspondence, have been organised and listed on a person by person basis. The catalogue begins with the records of W. C. Bridgeman, his wife and children and then moves on to the records of his parents, and their relatives.

The records themselves provide a number of insights into the personal and public life of the Bridgeman family. Many of the records concern William Clive Bridgeman who was created Viscount Bridgeman in 1929 in recognition of his public service. W. C. Bridgeman held a number of political posts at the beginning of this century including Secretary of State for Home Affairs (1922-24) and First Lord of The Admiralty (1924-29). Bridgeman's links with the political figures of this period are illustrated in the correspondents cited in the list of correspondence. W. C. Bridgeman married Caroline Beatrix Parker in 1895 and many of her diaries and letters are included in this collection. Caroline Beatrix Bridgeman (née Parker) held a number of posts herself; these included Governor of the B.B.C., and Vice-Chairman of the House of Laity, Church Assembly.

W. C. Bridgeman's mother, Marianne Caroline, was a member of the Clive family and it was through this link that some Clive papers have found their way into this collection. There is also a number of Tollet family papers; Tollet being the maiden name of Marianne Clive, grandmother to W. C. Bridgeman on his mother's side. The collection is completed by a number of estate records, relating primarily to the Leigh estate in the Worthen area, and an album of family photographs.