Bewcastle Genealogical Records

Bewcastle 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.

Cumbria Birth Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of births registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.

Bewcastle 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.

Cumbria Marriage Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of marriages registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Quaker Marriages in Cumberland (1772-1910)

Marriages recorded in the register of the meetinghouse at Beckfoot. Most records list the name of both parents.

British Marriage Records (1392-2011)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Bewcastle 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.

Cumbria Death Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of deaths registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

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.

British Death and Burial Records (1379-2014)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Deaths (1837-1964)

An index to deaths registered at the central authority for England and Wales. To 1866, only the locality the death was registered in was listed. Age was listed until 1969, when the deceased's date of birth was listed. Provides a reference to order a death certificate, which has further details.

Bewcastle 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.

Cumberland Lay Subsidy (1332-1333)

A tax levied on the wealthier inhabitants of Cumberland.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 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.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 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.

Newspapers Covering Bewcastle

Carlisle Journal (1833-1866)

A local newspaper including news from the Carlisle area, family announcements, business notices, advertisements, legal & governmental proceedings and more.

Carlisle Patriot (1817-1855)

This fully searchable newspaper will provide a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Carlisle district. Includes family announcements.

Northern Echo (1870-1900)

Britain's most popular provincial newspaper, covering local & national news, family announcements, government & local proceedings and more.

Cumberland & Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions (1781-1959)

A collection of transcribed extracts, particularly BMD columns, from over 20 newspapers.

Furness Railway Magazine Index (1921-1923)

An index to personal notices in a railway employee magazine.

Bewcastle 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.

Cumbria Will and Probate Index (1751-1941)

An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Durham and Carlisle District Probate Registry. The index provides a reference, which can be used to view original documents.

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.).

Bewcastle Immigration & Travel Records

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.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Bewcastle Military Records

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.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

Register & Records of Holm Cultram (1150-1400)

The cartulary and other records of the important Cistercian house of Holm Cultram. The records cover many places in Cumberland.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

England & Wales Electoral Registers (1832-1932)

Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.

Prison Hulk Registers (1802-1849)

From the late 18th century many prisoners in Britain were kept on decommissioned ships known as hulks. This collection contains nearly 50 years of registers for various ships. Details given include: prisoner's name, date received, age, year of birth and conviction details.

Bewcastle Taxation Records

Cumberland Lay Subsidy (1332-1333)

A tax levied on the wealthier inhabitants of Cumberland.

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.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Bewcastle Land & Property Records

Register & Records of Holm Cultram (1150-1400)

The cartulary and other records of the important Cistercian house of Holm Cultram. The records cover many places in Cumberland.

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.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Bewcastle Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Cumberland & Westmorland Directory (1929)

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

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1929)

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 Cumberland (1925)

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 Cumberland (1921)

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 Cumberland & Westmorland (1914)

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.

Bewcastle Cemeteries

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.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Rail & Canal Photographs Catalog (1880-1970)

A searchable database of photographs relating to railways and canals in Britain.

Bewcastle 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.

Bewcastle Histories & Books

Bewcastle History (600-2000)

A short history of Bewcastle, including contemporary photographs and a map.

Cumbria Image Bank (1870-2000)

A collection of thousands of images, largely postcards and photographs of the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.

Photographs of Cumbria (1865-2009)

A large collection of photographs depicting the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, arranged by place.

Cumbria Gazetteer (1845-1851)

Detailed descriptions of Cumbria parishes from Mannix & Whellan, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland and Westmorland.

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Bewcastle School & Education Records

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.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Bewcastle Occupation & Business Records

Industrial History of Cumbria (1500-1950)

An extensive website detailing over forty different industries connected with the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.

Collieries of The North (1869-1991)

Profiles of collieries in the north of England, with employment statistics, profiles of those who died in the mines and photographs.

Cumbria Railway Images (1940-1980)

Over 1,000 photographs relating to railways in the former counties of Westmorland and Cumbria.

Cumbria Railway Employees (1821-1929)

An index to records detailing hundreds of railway employees in Westmorland and Cumberland.

Northern Mining Disasters (1705-1975)

Reports of mining distastes, includes lists of the deceased and photographs of monuments.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Bewcastle

Cumberland & Westmorland Heraldic Visitation (1666)

Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.

Victoria County History: Cumberland (1086-1900)

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

Cumberland Quakers (1634-1740)

Biographic and genealogical information of early Quakers in Cumberland.

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.

Bewcastle Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Cumberland & Westmorland Heraldic Visitation (1666)

Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.

Victoria County History: Cumberland (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.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Bewcastle Church Records

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Churches of Cumberland and Westmorland (600 BC-1910)

Historical and architectural dictionary to churches in the two counties. Contains numerous sketches of church features.

Cumbria Church Histories (651-Present)

Histories and photographs of churches in Cumbria and the Lake District.

England Parish Registers (1914-2013)

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

England Parish Registers (1538-1934)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though extremely useful to the present. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Biographical Directories Covering Bewcastle

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Cumberland and Westmorland M.P.'s (1660-1867)

A history of Cumberland and Westmorland's influence and affairs in Westminster. Also contains short biographies of the counties' members of Parliament.

Who's Who in Northern Mining (1852-1910)

Abstract biographies of people connected with mining in the North of England.

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.

Bewcastle Maps

Cumberland and Westmorland Parish Map (1851)

A map delineating Church of England parishes in the two counties.

Guides to the Lakes (1576-1865)

A collection of maps and descriptions of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland – their settlements and features.

Maps of Cumberland (1608-1897)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

Maps of Cumbria (1307-1899)

Several maps depicting parts of Cumbria.

Collery Maps of The North (1807-1951)

A number of maps of northern England with the locations of collieries plotted.

Bewcastle Reference Works

Cumbrian Manorial Records (2008)

Two guides for locating and using manorial records for family and property history.

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.

Historical Description

The township of Bewcastle, containing 238 inhabited houses, and 1213 inhabitants, on the river Line, and is supposed to have been a Roman station, and garrisoned by part of the Legio Secunda Augusta, as a security to the workmen, who were employed in building the famous wall. There are some vestiges of ancient buildings still remaining, and numerous Roman coins and inscriptions have been discovered here.

The name of this village is reported to have been derived from Bueth, who was lord of the manor at the time of the conquest, and who is said to have repaired a Roman castle here, and called it after his own name. The castle, which seems to have been a dark gloomy fortress, is now in ruins; it was of a square form, each front being about 29 yards in length, and the south side, which is most entire, is nearly 14 yards in height. This structure was destroyed by the parliament forces in the year 1641.

The church is a small edifice, situate on a rising ground, at a little distance from the castle. In the church-yard is an ancient cross, on the sides of which are several sculptures, supposed to have been to the memory of some British or Scottish priest. Both the church and castle are surrounded by a foss.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BEWCASTLE is a very extensive parish and township, on the twin streams of the river Line, 10 miles north-by-east from Brampton station on the North Eastern railway, and 7 miles from Penton station on the North British railway, and is divided into four townships-Bailie, Belbank (part of which is in Stapleton parish), Bewcastle and Nixons; it is in the northern division of the county, Eskdale Ward, petty sessional division and union of Longtown, county court district of Brampton, rural deanery of Brampton, and archdeaconry and diocese of Carlisle. A substantial stone bridge, erected in 1892, partly at the expense of Sir J, Ewart, of The Mire, crosses the river Line at Blackpool Gate. The church of St. Cuthbert is a plain edifice, consisting of chancel and nave, and a tower containing one plain bell, purchased in 1845, in place of one which has been in the tower since 1785. There are 250 sittings. The register of baptisms and burials dates from 1737, and of marriages from 1738. The living is a rectory; net yearly value £170, with 40 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle, and held since 1874 by the Rev. Titus Edward Laurie, of St. Bees. The Presbyterian chapel at Blackpool, in the Bellbank township, was erected in 1892. Bewcastle was the site of an important Roman station, constructed on the level top of a rocky, isolated eminence rising in a deep hollow surrounded by swelling hills; this station, contrary to the usual plan, appears to have been hexagonal, and two inscribed stones, now lost, showed it to have been occupied by the 2nd Legion (Augusta) and the 20th Legion (Valeria Victrix); the plateau on which the station stands is about 6 acres in extent, but the sides of the fortification are all unequal, varying from 78 yards on the south, where the declivity is the steepest, to 146 yards on the north side, the slope here being defensively weak. The “Maiden Way,” running hither on its northward course from Amboglanna (Birdoswald), passes this station a little to the east. Within the limits of the Roman station are the remains of a peel tower or castle, built out of Roman materials.

In the churchyard, which is within the limits of the Roman station, stands the famous Runic obelisk or cross; as now existing, it consists of a monolith of grey Langbar freestone, 14 ½ feet in height from the basement stone into which it is socketed, at which point it measures 21 by 22 inches, tapering upwards to the top, where the measurements are 13 by 14 inches. It was originally surmounted by a cross let into the top, and now lost, but existing in the 17th century, when it was sent by Henry (Fitzalan) Earl of Arundel, who died in 1580, to William Camden, the distinguished antiquary, the Earl having received it from Lord William Howard, commonly known as “Belted Will”; and Camden, who mentions the circumstance in his “Magna Britannia,” also records the inscription on the cross. The base from which the obelisk rises is a nearly cubical block of stone, about 3 feet of which is under ground; but it was ascertained in 1890 to be 5 feet square at the bottom, diminishing to 3 feet 9 inches at the top, where the edges are chamfered off so as to make it an octagon with alternately unequal sides; the height of the base is 3 feet 10 inches, and the total height, including the missing cross, was 20 feet. All four sides of the shaft or obelisk are elaborately carved, the work being of a much higher order, both as regards design and execution, thas much of the sculpture of later date, and three of these sides bear incised Runic inscriptions, the latest interpretations of which, as given by Prof. Stephens, of Copenhagen, in his great work on Runic monuments, are given further on. The east side is carved with the representation of a vine or similar tree, climbing in gracefully bent curves to the top, with figures of animals below and birds above, feeding on the fruit; on the west side, at the top, and beneath the mutilated word “Kristus,” is a figure assumed to be that of St. John the Baptist carrying the “Agnus Dei”; below this on a band are the words “Gessus Kristus,” and underneath is a figure of our Lord with a large nimbus; next below is an inscription of seven Runic lines, thus translated:—

“+ This spiring sign-pillar

set was by Hwaetred,

Wothgar, Olufwolth,

after Alcfrith,

sometime King,

and son of Oswin,

+ Pray for his soul's great sin.”

The south side is divided into unequal sized panels filled with knot ornament, and intertwining fruit-bearing plants, and on the fillets dividing the panels are incised Runes, forming together from base to summit the legend following: —

“+ In the first year

of the King

of Ric (realm) this

Ecgfrith

he he (i.e. Alcfrith)

in frith” (peace).

The north side has a large central panel of chequers, above and below which are two smaller ones filled with interlaced work; the extreme portions are again decorated with twining plants; the Runes on the dividing bands, read from the base upwards, give the names of “Kunnburug” (queen of Alcfrith), “Kuneswitha” (her sister) and “Wulfhere” (King of the Mercians A.D. 656—75, son of Penda, and brother of Kunnburug). Prof. Stephens therefore concludes that as Ecgfrith was King of Northumbria in A.D. 670, this monument was reared in that year to Alcfrith, King of Deira, by his queen and relatives, and the three thanes or nobles, no doubt his personal friends; the date of his death is assumed to be A.D. 665—6. In 1890 the obelisk was seriously damaged by the attempts of an incompetent workman to make casts of it for an archaeological society; it has since been repaired and strengthened at the base, and protected at the top by cement under the direction of Chancellor Ferguson M.A., LL.M., F.S.A, of Carlisle.

Coal has been obtained in the parish, but the seam is of no great depth. Limestone of the best quality is found throughout the arish. There is no village, the houses consisting only of scattered farms and cottages. Agriculture is the only support of the population; sheep rearing is largely carried on here.

Sir Richard James Graham bart. of Netherby, is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Mr. John Routledge, Crook, and Mr. Joseph Armstrong, Craigy Ford. The land is poor and used only for grazing. The soil is various but light; subsoil, light. The chief crops are oats and turnips. The number of acres in the township is 28,451 of land and 112 of water; rateable value, £9,872; the population of the township in 1891 was 800.

A School Board of five members was formed here 10 Feb. 1876, and Askerton made contributory thereto in April following, sending two members; M. Armstrong, Graham’s Onset, clerk to the board.

Board School, at Park (mixed), built in 1873, for 110 children; average attendance, 63.

Board School, Bailey (mixed), built in 1873, for 110 children; average attendance, 74.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1897)

Most Common Surnames in Bewcastle

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Eskdale Ward
1Armstrong541:181.93%5
2Nixon451:225.24%32
3Routledge381:265.01%36
4Forster341:296.83%66
5Telford331:306.95%71
6Ewart301:3322.90%330
7Kennedy291:346.26%77
8Elliott281:356.32%83
9Davidson271:362.37%22
10Goodfellow241:4112.12%220
11Mitchell231:434.01%53
11Forrester231:4311.86%223
13Waugh221:457.80%142
14Harding211:477.75%155
14Little211:471.04%11
16Scott191:520.98%13
17Story181:555.19%112
18Dodd171:584.07%90
19Potts161:614.51%109
20Murray151:661.63%28
21Grindley141:7040.00%1,057
22Noble131:764.23%127
23Henderson121:822.16%58
23Elliot121:822.39%64
25Thompson111:890.37%4
25Graham111:890.27%1
25Ferguson111:891.77%46
25Turnbull111:893.59%130
25Nichol111:894.53%179
25Tweddle111:893.85%140
31Fenwick101:9816.67%678
31Dollan101:9876.92%2,156
33Lamb91:1093.37%156
33Raine91:10911.11%524
33Harkness91:1096.21%303
33Beaty91:1093.01%135
33Vivers91:10960.00%1,948
38Kerr81:1233.11%166
38Johnstone81:1231.33%49
38Lauder81:12380.00%2,597
38Batey81:1236.06%328
42Wilson71:1400.21%3
42Oliver71:1406.31%384
42Stockdale71:1408.54%514
42Wiley71:14087.50%3,079
42Bouch71:1405.43%334
47Moore61:1640.86%41
47James61:1641.37%87
47McKay61:1645.71%411
47Dodgson61:1646.12%453
47Craw61:16460.00%2,597
47Horbin61:164100.00%3,884
47Metchinson61:164100.00%3,884
54Hunter51:1971.19%89
54Steel51:1971.08%79
54Carruthers51:1970.53%26
54Musgrove51:1978.47%690
54Heward51:19716.67%1,209
54Gass51:19715.15%1,112
60Jackson41:2460.21%12
60Anderson41:2460.87%80
60Robson41:2460.75%61
60Irving41:2460.22%15
60Gillespie41:2469.30%914
60Gosling41:24680.00%4,423
60Coulthard41:2460.77%63
60Blaylock41:2461.45%151
60Clemitson41:24621.05%1,660
69Brown31:3280.14%10
69Clark31:3280.30%25
69Harrison31:3280.24%20
69Phillips31:3281.21%175
69Douglas31:3280.83%107
69Rutherford31:3281.57%230
69Kyle31:32817.65%1,791
69Pigg31:3284.23%595
69Gilespie31:32860.00%4,423
69Coultard31:32827.27%2,421
79Hall21:4920.35%55
79Bell21:4920.06%2
79Simpson21:4920.24%33
79Foster21:4920.36%56
79Dixon21:4920.11%14
79Johnston21:4920.09%9
79Brydon21:4925.56%1,036
79Vevers21:4925.41%1,022
79Borshel21:492100.00%6,688
88Smith11:9830.04%6
88Watson11:9830.06%16
88Parker11:9830.14%40
88Richardson11:9830.07%18
88Atkinson11:9830.07%19
88Nicholson11:9830.07%17
88Burgess11:9830.63%288
88Naylor11:98310.00%2,597
88Hope11:9830.25%95
88Charlton11:9831.11%484
88Swan11:9832.04%816
88Storey11:9830.45%197
88Nuttall11:98333.33%5,889
88Cairns11:9830.98%428
88Cowan11:9830.40%171
88Ridley11:9830.41%176
88Coulson11:9832.38%932
88Cochrane11:9833.70%1,314
88Angus11:9831.79%724
88Percival11:9830.61%274
88Holliday11:9830.15%43
88Hetherington11:9830.09%23
88Grieve11:9833.23%1,174
88Milburn11:9830.27%104
88Dolan11:9836.25%1,869
88Laurie11:98311.11%2,793
88Heslop11:9830.60%267
88Renwick11:9832.33%914
88Cowen11:9830.50%216
88Rea11:9833.70%1,314
88Phillip11:98333.33%5,889
88Charters11:9831.05%467
88Mitchinson11:9830.44%194
88Waldie11:98350.00%6,688
88Millican11:9830.46%201
88Mossman11:98350.00%6,688
88Moscrop11:9830.85%365
88Broatch11:9832.56%985
88Harbin11:98350.00%6,688
88Lene11:983100.00%7,784
88Fairhouse11:983100.00%7,784