Over Genealogical Records

Over Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Over Baptisms (BTs) (1599-1871)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records detail relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

Over Baptism Records (1558-1906)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Over, High Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Baptisms (1887-1908)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records detail relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts Baptisms (1576-1906)

A searchable database of 964,765 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Over Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Over, High Street Wesleyan Methodist Marriages (1904-1908)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They are the primary marriage document before 1837. They typically record residence and marital status, though may contain age, father's name and other details.

St Chad, Over Marriages (BTs) (1712-1730)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status and residence.

Over Marriages (BTs) (1600-1837)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They typically record marital status and residence. Details may also be given on a party's parents, age and parish of origin.

Over Marriage Records (1559-1910)

Name index linked to original images of the marriage registers of Over. Records document marriages from 1559 to 1910. Details may include a party's age, residence, martial status, father's name and signature.

Over Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Over Burials (BTs) (1599-1871)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Over Burial Records (1558-1906)

Burial registers are the primary source for death documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts Burials (1576-1906)

A searchable database of 720,459 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Diocese of Chester Burials (1538-1911)

Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.

Over Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Cheshire Electoral Registers (1842-1900)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Cheshire Freeholders of 1578 (1578)

A list of freeholders, organised by hundred, in the county of Cheshire. Contains their name, title and description of their estate.

Cheshire Pipe Rolls (1158-1301)

A collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer relating to Cheshire.

Newspapers Covering Over

Liverpool Evening Express (1914)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Liverpool district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

Liverpool Courier and Commercial Advertiser (1870)

A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering regional news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Liverpool area.

Chester Courant (1794-1831)

A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering local news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Chester area.

Chester Chronicle (1775-1869)

Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the Chester district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Cheshire Observer (1854-1900)

Regional news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other regional information from the Cheshire district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Over Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

York Peculiar Probate Records (1383-1883)

Digital images, indexed by testor's name, of 28,716 wills, administrations, inventories and other probate documents. The records can shed light on an individual’s relations, possessions, land holdings, legal agreements and more. They cover various jurisdictions throughout the north of England.

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1688-1858)

An index to 263,822 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, year of probate, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1267-1500)

An index to 10,195 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, occupation, will & probate year, language, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

Chester Probate Registry Probate Images & Index (1858-1911)

A searchable index of testators linked to original wills proved in the civil probate court at Chester. This collection is not limited to residents of Cheshire.

Over Immigration & Travel Records

Cheshire Poor Law Abstracts (1732-1746)

Abstracts of poor law cases in Cheshire quarter sessions, covering events such as removals, settlement, bastardy and vagrancy.

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

Over Military Records

Memorials of the Civil War in Cheshire (1642-1651)

A history of the English Civil War from a Cheshire perspective.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Cheshire Workhouse Admissions & Discharges (1781-1911)

An index to over 50,000 records detailing admissions and discharges to government poor houses in Cheshire. The index is linked to digital images of the records, which may record name, birth year, religion, occupation, name of informant and details of admission, death or discharge.

Cheshire Workhouse Creed Records (1872-1911)

Registers recording the admission of over 12,000 people for poor relief in Cheshire. Records include name, birth year, parish, occupation, religion, reason for admission and more.

Cheshire Inquisitions Post Mortem (1603-1660)

Transcripts of records assessing the estates of the monarch's direct tenants. Contains details of estates and families.

Cheshire Pipe Rolls (1158-1301)

A collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer relating to Cheshire.

Cheshire Workhouse Baptisms (1837-1911)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording the baptism of workhouse inmates' children.

Over Taxation Records

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (1700-1908)

An index to over 2 million names listed in records detailing land ownership and occupation in Cheshire. These records can be used to trace land ownership and succession to leases. Contains digital images of original records.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Over Land & Property Records

Cheshire Electoral Registers (1842-1900)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (1700-1908)

An index to over 2 million names listed in records detailing land ownership and occupation in Cheshire. These records can be used to trace land ownership and succession to leases. Contains digital images of original records.

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

Cheshire Inquisitions Post Mortem (1603-1660)

Transcripts of records assessing the estates of the monarch's direct tenants. Contains details of estates and families.

Over Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1938)

A directory of the county detailing its history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1934)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1923)

A directory of settlements in Cheshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1923)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1914)

A directory of settlements in Cheshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Over Cemeteries

Cheshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cheshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Cheshire Monumental Inscriptions (1870-1875)

Transcriptions of several thousand headstones in the county of Cheshire.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Over Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Over Histories & Books

Cheshire Image Bank (1800-2000)

A database of over 20,000 images recording places and events in Cheshire. Images can be searched by meta-data.

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Lancashire and Cheshire, Past and Present (370-1867)

A history of two Northern counties from the Germanic invasion to the Victorian period.

Cheshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Cheshire.

Memorials of the Civil War in Cheshire (1642-1651)

A history of the English Civil War from a Cheshire perspective.

Over School & Education Records

Cheshire School Records Index (1796-1950)

An index to over 400,000 pupils extracted from Cheshire school records. Includes names of parents and residences.

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Over Occupation & Business Records

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Midlands Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the Midlands region of England.

Lost Pubs of Cheshire (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Over

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Over Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

Cheshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cheshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Over Church Records

Over Parish Registers (1558-1910)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Over. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Diocese of Chester Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Digital images of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. The registers can be searched by name and can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Cheshire Workhouse Creed Records (1872-1911)

Registers recording the admission of over 12,000 people for poor relief in Cheshire. Records include name, birth year, parish, occupation, religion, reason for admission and more.

Cheshire Bishop's Transcripts (1598-1900)

An index to over 2 million entries from baptism, marriages and burials sent by parishes to be held by the Bishop of Chester.

Cheshire Clergy List (1541-1542)

A list of 16th century Anglican clergy in the Diocese of Chester.

Biographical Directories Covering Over

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Over Maps

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Maps of Cheshire (1577-1920)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

Cheshire Maps (1571-1831)

A series of maps depicting the county and routes passing through it.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Over Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

OVER, a small market town and a parish, on the west bank of the river Weaver, with a station on the Cheshire lines railway and 1 ½ miles from Winsford station on the North Western railway, 4 ½ miles west from Middlewich, 10 north from Nanttwich through Wetten hall, 9 by way of Church Minshull and 15 east from Chester, in the Northwich division, of the county, first division of the hundred of Eddisbury, Northwich union and county court district, petty sessional division of Eddisbury, rural deanery of Middlewich and archdeaconry and diocese of Chester. Over consists, Chiefly of one long irregularly built street, called “Delamere” street and High street, which crosses it at right angles and extends down to Winsford Bridge. The township is partly in the parish of Whitegate.

The, town, called in ancient records “the borough of Over,” was, from a very early period under the government of a mayor, annually chosen at the court leet and baron of the lord of the manor of Over, held in October, but under the “Urareformed Corporations Act, 1883” (46 and 47 Vict. c. 18), the jurisdiction of the mayor in respect to criminal, licensing or any other magisterial functions was abolished, and no mayor has since been elected, but in the event of any such election, two juries are empanelled, one for the borough, called the “Grand Jury,” and the other for the subordinate, townships, called the “County Jury;” the former return six inhabitants of the lordship of Over to the lord of the manor, by whom at an adjourned court, held fourteen days afterwards, one of them is nominated mayor for the, ensuing year. The municipal insignia now consist only of a silver mace 2 feet 10 ½ inches in length, which is in the possession of Lord Delamere, at Vale Royal, and is lent by him on the, occasion of the election of a mayor and on festive occasions; the shaft is divided into three lengths by ornamented knops, that at the base exhibiting a shield of arms of three ducks for a crest a swan; the mace-head, supported by four simple scrolled brackets, is adorned in four compartments with the arms of Cholmondeley: a shield bearing three bars wavy and in chief two fleurs-de-lis and a rose and fleur-de-lis crowned; on the flat plate at the top are the royal arms of William and Mary, with supporters &c.: a circlet of fleurs-de-lis and crosses surrounds the head, and from this springs an open arched crown surmounted by an orb and cross. The townships of Over and Winsford are governed by the Winsford Urban Council, and supplied with gas by a company formed in 1858, with works at Weaver street, and with water by the Council from springs at Little Budworth, and works off Delamere street, but the water flows to the greater portion of the town by gravitation.

The church of St. Chad, standing in a valley, about a mile south from the village, is an ancient edifice in the Perpendicular style, rebuilt in 1543 by Hugh Starkey esq. usher to King Henry VIII. and consists of chancel, nave of five bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: in the chancel is an altar tomb with effigy in brass and an inscription to Hugh Starkey, of Olton, esq. gentleman usher to King Henry VIII. and son, of Hugh, Starkey, of Olton esq. ob. 1555: the stained east window is a memorial to the Rev. John Jackson, vicar of Over from 1821 and who died in 1863: in 1894 the church was thoroughly restored and the bells re-hung, at a cost of £200: a legacy of £2,000 has been left to the church by the late Miss Walker, of Manchester: the church affords 530 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £13, net yearly value about £300, including 54 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Chester, and held since 1894 by the Rev. Francis Edward Powell M.A. of Christ’s College, Cambridge. Christ Church, in High street, originally erected in 1844 by the trustees of the Weaver Navigation Co. was taken down in 1880 on account of the subsidence of the land, and a new church erected on the same site in 1882: this building is of wood and brick, consisting of chancel, nave and a western, tower with octagonal spire, containing one bell: there are 300 sittings. The register dates from the year 1844. The benefice is a perpetual curacy, net yearly value £150, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Chester, and held since 1874 by the Rev. Edward Nixon M.A. of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge. The parsonage is in Weaver street, at a short distance from the church. St. John the Evangelist’s is an ecclesiastical parish, formed Jan. 13, 1863, from the parishes of Over and Whitegate: the church, erected at a cost of about £5,000, and consecrated in June, 1863, was built as a memorial to Lady Sarah (Hay), wife of the late Lord Delamere; she died 17 Feb. 1859; Lord Delamere, who gave the site and endowed the church, died 1 Aug. 1887: it is an edifice of Runcorn stone in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel with north chapel and vestry, nave of four bays with clerestory, aisles, and an embattled tower at the south-west angle with spire and containing a clock and one bell: the pulpit and font are of Grimsell stone, with, marble shafts, the panels having carved emblems: the east and west windows are stained: in 1887 a clock with three dials was placed in the tower, at a cost of £140, by public subscription: there are 550 sittings, 460 being free. The register dates from the year 1863. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £150, net £135, with residence, in the gift of Lord Delamere, and held since 1863 by the Rev, Edward Woodyatt M.A. of Christ Church, Oxford.

The population of the district in 1891 was 3,543. The Congregational chapel, erected in 1814, is an edifice of brick and stone, with a burial ground, and adjoining is a residence for the minister. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel, in Swanlow lane, was erected in 1861, and there is another Wesleyan chapel in High street, erected in 1883. The Free Methodist chapel, in High street, rebuilt in 1877, is of brick. There are Primitive Methodist chapels, in High street, built in 1869, and in Chester road, built in 1876. The Verdin Technical School and Gymnasium, in High street, was erected in 1895, under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, dated 2 April, 1892, and framed in pursuance of a deed executed 24 Sept. 1890, by Sir Joseph Verdin bart. of the Brockhurst, Northwich, and in which a sum of £26,388 6s. 7d. was placed) in the hands of trustees for the above object and for specified charitable purposes. The buildang was erected at a cost, including furnishing, of £8,000, from designs by Messrs. Woolhouse and Willoughby, architects, of Manchester, and has an inscription over the principal entrance. The board of management consists of the present Technical Instruction Committee of the Winsford Urban District Council, the Trustees of the Verdin Trust Fund, and Mr. R. Norman H. Verdin, of Darnhall Hall. The Governors have decided to carry op the schools both during the day and in the evening. In the former case it will be as an Intermediate or organized Science School, affiliated with the Department of the Science and Art at South Kensington. The school will be practically a higher grade school for the more intelligent scholars from the public elementary schools. The subjects taught include drawing, painting in oil and water colours, science, mathematics, agriculture, applied mechanics and building and machine construction, cookery and laundry work, shorthand, wood & iron turning, plumbing, navigation, typewriting, dressmaking, telegraphy, wood carving, needlework, leather work, English, French, Latin and German: special attention will also be given to gymnastic exercises, and instruction will be given in swimming. The Police Station, in High street, erected in 1884, is a structure of red brick, comprising offices, court room, cells and residences for a sergeant, and two constables. A market and fair were granted by charter of the 10th of Edward I. to the Abbot and Convent of Vale Royal; the market to be held on Wednesday, and the fair on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14), including the preceding and following days: the market which had been discontinued few nearly a century, was: re-established and a market house built in 1840; it is now (1896) quite obsolete, but a market is held at Winsford every Saturday evening. The market house, in Delamere street, erected by a company of shareholders in 1840, is a structure of brick, eventually purchased by the late Lord Delamere, and converted into a National school for St. John’s parish. Fairs are held on the first Wednesday after May 12th and the first Wednesday after September 20th, and are numerously attended; cattle and sheep in considerable numbers are brought here for sale. The salt trade is extensively carried on by the Salt Union Limited, and boat building is maintained to some extent. Over was numbered amongst the immediate possessions of the Earldom of Chester till the 54th of Henry III. (1269—70), when it was granted by Prince Edward to the Abbey of Dernhall, translated in 1277 to Vale Royal and so continued till the Dissolution, when it was granted to Sir Thomas Holcroft kt. in exchange for the manor of Cartmel, for £466 10s. 10d. with a reserved rent of £10 os. 4d.; by the Holcroft family it was sold to Edmund Perchall, merchant, of London, from whom it was purchased about the middle of the 18th century by the late Thomas Cholmondeley esq. who died 2 June, 1779, and his descendant, Lord Delamere, of Vale Royal, is the present proprietor. Woodford hall, in this township, now the property of the Holmes’, is occupied by Mr. Cyrus Slater, farmer. Lord Delamere, J. K. Armstrong esq. William Roylance Court esq. of the Manor House, Newton, Roger William Wilbraham esq. of Delamere House. William Henry Verdin esq. J.P. of Darnhall Hall, and William Turner esq. of Over Hall, are the principal landed proprietors. The area of the township is 4,430 acres of land, which are mostly applied to grain and pasture, and 97 of water; the rateable value of the township is £28,844; the population in 1891 was, parish 6,344; entire township 6,835. The population of the ecclesiastical parishes in 1891 was:-St. Chad, 2,401, and St. John the Evangelist, 3,943.

SCHOOLS

A School Board for the parish was formed Jan. 18, 1876, & consists of 7 members; John H. Cooke, Church street, clerk to the board Board, High street (mixed), built in 1876 & enlarged in 1879 & 1880, for 581 children; average attendance, mixed 360, infants’ 250.

Board, Meadow bank (mixed), built in 1872 & taken over by the Board in 1877, for 204 children; average attendance, 190.

The Endowed School was founded in 1689 by Mrs. Elizabeth Venables & her son, Thomas Lee esq. & endowed with 63 acres of land, now (1896) valued at £95 yearly; the school is free for the children of householders in the parishes of Over & Whitegate & in the township of Weaver, in the parish of Middlewich: it was removed to its present site in the year 1803, & after having been for some time closed was re-opened in August, 1894 as a mixed school for 120 children; average, attendance, 119.

St. John’s National (mixed), founded by deed in 1858, & endowed with £7 6s. 2d. yearly, derived from a gift of £200 from the late William Andrews of Liverpool; the school will hold 430 children; average attendance, mixed 247, infants’ 135.

Weaver Navigation National, Weaver street (mixed), built in 1840 by the trustees of the Weaver Navigation Company, for 344 children; average attendance, 184.

Infants’, in High street, for 120 children; average attendance, 95.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1896)

Most Common Surnames in Over

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Eddisbury Hundred
1Hulse1291:5115.16%106
2Hough991:679.34%70
3Walker921:723.19%14
4Atherton831:8014.04%180
5Lightfoot691:969.19%125
6Dodd651:1024.03%39
7Baker631:1056.25%76
7Mellor631:1055.67%65
9Davies621:1061.09%3
10Oakes601:1109.06%148
11Robinson591:1121.86%11
12Johnson531:1251.27%6
12Royle531:1255.28%79
14Dickenson521:12720.00%474
15Hamlet491:13533.56%838
15Kennerley491:13520.76%517
17Hodkinson471:14010.68%262
17Hamlett471:14050.00%1,174
19Dickinson451:14713.64%371
20Hunt441:1505.88%127
20Tomlinson441:1504.93%98
22Jones431:1540.40%1
22Egerton431:15410.57%288
24Williams421:1570.75%4
25Moss411:1613.42%55
26Smith401:1650.56%2
27Buckley391:1692.38%37
27Prince391:1696.91%193
29Hatton381:1746.08%162
29Slack381:1749.03%281
31Stubbs371:1783.54%72
31Astbury371:17810.69%354
31Noden371:17815.04%500
34Boden361:18312.54%435
34Stoneley361:18353.73%1,480
36Clarke351:1891.47%18
36Graham351:1897.26%231
36Vernon351:1895.03%136
36Bratt351:18916.13%571
40Taylor341:1940.67%5
40Brooks341:1943.56%88
40Littler341:1945.48%166
40Galley341:19430.36%1,022
44Carter331:2003.27%75
44Bostock331:2005.46%172
44Bebbington331:2004.81%140
44Ikin331:20021.15%789
44Weedall331:20026.40%951
49Preston321:2065.76%197
49Sumner321:2066.15%215
49Fowles321:20615.38%602
52Blackburn301:22015.00%625
52Dutton301:2201.78%34
52Oaks301:22060.00%1,814
55Jackson291:2280.74%7
55Dean291:2281.68%32
55Hitchen291:22810.39%443
55Yearsley291:22813.18%559
59Hickson281:2367.95%337
59Wrench281:23613.46%602
59Sant281:23611.76%514
62Bates271:2456.32%270
62Latham271:2453.45%114
62Ashley271:2456.05%256
62Maddock271:2453.71%129
62Curzon271:24518.88%850
67Shaw261:2540.99%17
67Newall261:25410.53%495
67Cawley261:2548.61%410
70Perry251:2645.46%251
70Finney251:26416.78%832
70Astles251:26415.34%756
73Bailey241:2751.19%26
73Rogerson241:2757.14%364
73Henshall241:2753.81%157
73Yanko241:275100.00%2,935
77Roberts221:3000.60%8
77Gibson221:3002.80%112
77Burgess221:3001.01%23
77Cheshire221:30022.45%1,130
77Mountfield221:30030.56%1,401
82Thompson211:3141.19%31
82Bowden211:3143.07%142
82Platt211:3141.97%69
82Hitchin211:31426.25%1,315
82Threadgold211:31422.83%1,192
82Pickstock211:31418.92%1,036
88Brown201:3300.64%12
88Moore201:3301.41%44
88Phillips201:3302.76%130
88Lamb201:3303.19%161
88Warburton201:3301.71%57
88Whitby201:3308.73%537
94Fletcher191:3471.70%63
94Holland191:3471.14%35
94Gilbert191:3476.96%453
94Barnett191:3472.84%147
94Eaton191:3472.92%149
94Deakin191:3475.54%362
94Whitney191:34715.57%966
94Blackburne191:34738.00%1,814
102Goulding181:36714.06%930
102Yardley181:36739.13%1,934
104Wilson171:3880.84%25
104Bennett171:3880.76%21
104Lee171:3881.19%43
104Williamson171:3881.09%40
104Gregory171:3882.19%117
104Burrows171:3882.85%175
104Boswell171:38813.49%946
104Kettle171:3887.80%564
104Whittingham171:3889.29%678
113Parker161:4131.43%62
113Whittaker161:4131.77%96
113Leigh161:4131.41%60
113Towers161:41310.06%772
113Hassall161:4133.43%245
113Brereton161:4133.52%254
113Hilditch161:4137.05%542
113Bennion161:4138.74%678
113Ledward161:41329.09%1,709
113Ledwards161:41340.00%2,141
123Thomas151:4400.80%29
123Wood151:4400.42%10
123Cooper151:4400.67%22
123Wilkinson151:4400.80%28
123Mills151:4402.12%133
123Woodward151:4402.19%140
123Dale151:4401.19%54
123Percival151:4402.30%149
123Dooley151:4405.38%443
123Challinor151:4404.82%395
123Ravenscroft151:4405.02%416
123Chesters151:4403.52%272
123Yanoss151:440100.00%4,018
136White141:4721.07%50
136Barnes141:4721.83%119
136Booth141:4720.53%16
136Hewitt141:4721.35%73
136Poole141:4722.61%207
136Bradshaw141:4722.44%189
136Kitchen141:4728.09%726
136Heatley141:47235.90%2,180
144Young131:5081.73%123
144Newton131:5081.01%53
144Cooke131:5081.18%66
144Woodcock131:5083.27%293
144Hodgkinson131:5082.27%190
144Billington131:5082.62%223
144Sankey131:50821.31%1,577
144Hopley131:5084.48%429
144Whitlow131:5086.70%643
144Fowls131:50818.06%1,401
144Michal131:50892.86%4,210
144McDean131:508100.00%4,418
144Kumerley131:508100.00%4,418
157Edwards121:5500.52%20
157Morgan121:5501.76%143
157Daniels121:5502.80%268
157Davenport121:5500.93%52
157Wilding121:5505.50%564
157Viggor121:55046.15%2,802
157Dura121:550100.00%4,659
164Lewis111:6000.68%38
164Barker111:6001.19%93
164Barlow111:6000.71%41
164Knowles111:6001.23%99
164Abbott111:6006.88%770
164Rowland111:6002.04%204
164Corbett111:6009.57%1,009
164Allcock111:6003.14%342
164Ankers111:6004.06%457
164Loundes111:60039.29%2,653
174Evans101:6600.37%15
174Turner101:6600.51%27
174Scott101:6601.39%131
174Ellis101:6600.88%60
174Dawson101:6601.00%80
174Dunn101:6602.37%277
174Whitehead101:6601.28%115
174Barton101:6601.74%187
174Vickers101:6602.12%240
174Massey101:6600.99%76
174Ellison101:6602.11%237
174Rutter101:6602.54%301
174Dunning101:6603.95%484
174Done101:6603.51%438
174Bolland101:66014.93%1,480
189Green91:7340.50%30
189Newman91:7348.04%1,022
189Parry91:7340.98%94
189Duncan91:7344.66%645
189Walsh91:7341.76%218
189Hope91:7341.96%247
189Clough91:7342.62%360
189Bourne91:7344.25%585
189Cowley91:7345.70%780
189Philips91:7348.04%1,022
189Molyneux91:7344.35%609
189Summerfield91:7347.76%1,000
189Moulton91:7343.16%438
189Toogood91:73464.29%4,210
189Hoole91:7346.67%892
189Stonely91:73432.14%2,653
189Haspell91:73423.68%2,216
189Baderika91:734100.00%5,652
189Hallmack91:734100.00%5,652