St Bees Genealogical Records

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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 St Bees

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.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

St Bees 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.).

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees Histories & Books

St Bees History (1100-1995)

A detailed history of St Bees, with details of schools, religion, wartime, the council and more.

St Bees History (1583-2008)

A short history of St-Bees, 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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees 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 St Bees

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.

St Bees 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.

St Bees Church Records

St Bees Priory (1120-2011)

A history of the priory and its church, with details of monuments housed within, stained glass windows and more.

St Bees Methodist Chapel (1865-2000)

A short history and photograph of St Bees' Methodist Chapel.

St Bees School Chapel (1907-2011)

A short history and photographs of St Bees School's private Chapel.

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.

Biographical Directories Covering St Bees

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.

St Bees Maps

St Bees Maps (2007)

Two maps: one outlining properties, boundaries, geographical features and the other laying out the boundary of the parish.

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.

St Bees 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 ancient village of St. Bees, which forms a promontory on the shore, and had once a nunnery, founded about the year 1650 by Bega, a female of exemplary piety, on whose death a church was erected in honour of her virtues; but both these establishments having been destroyed by the Danes, William, the son of Ralph de Meschines, replaced them by a monastery for Benedictine monks; and in the reign of Henry the First, made it a cell to the Abbey of St. Mary at York. Great part of the church erected at this period still remains; the east end, however, is in ruins, but the nave is fitted up as the parish church, and the cross aisle is used as a place of sepulture; the whole edifice is of red freestone. In this village is a free school, founded in the year 1587, by Dr. Edmund Grindale, archbishop of Canterbury, under a charter of Queen Elizabeth; to this school belongs a good library, which has been greatly improved by the donations of Dr. Lamplough, archbishop of York, Dr. Smith, bishop of Carlisle, Sir John Louther, &c. The parish is of great extent, and appears from its ancient ruins to have been fortified at all the convenient landing places, by the Romans, against the incursions of the Irish and Scots. In January, 1823, the new light on St. Bees’ Head was first exhibited. It has nine reflectors.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

ST. BEES is a parish, township and large village, in a deep valley, near the rocky promontory called St. Bees’ Head and has a station on the Furness railway (Whitehaven, Barrow, Ulverston and Carnforth), and is 4 ½ miles south from Whitehaven, 2 ½ west from Egremont, and 297 from, London, in the Western division of the county, ward and petty sessional division of Allerdale-above-Derwent, union and county court district of Whitehaven, and in the rural deanery of Whitehaven, archdeaconry of Westmorland and diocese of Carlisle. The parish comprises four townships., viz.:Nethertown, Sandwith, Rottington and Preston Quarter Rural; the village, which consists principally of one long street, with several terraces of well-built houses, is lighted with gas by a local company, and abundantly supplied with good water from the Cleator Moor Waterworks; the township of St. Bees is separated from that of Preston Quarter by a small beck, or stream, called the “Pow,” which runs through the village and is crossed by a bridge, on which are the arms of Archbishop Grindal, and the date 1585. The parish church of St. Mary and St. Bega, in Preston Quarter, and formerly that of the priory, is a cruciform edifice of red sandstone, in the Norman and Early English styles, consisting of choir of six bays, clerestoried nave of six bays, dating from 1150 to 1180, transepts, and an embattled central tower, over 100 feet in height and containing 8 bells, hung in 1858: the nave has a good timbered roof, and all the windows, many of which are memorials, are filled with stained glass: the west front is pierced by three lancets, and has a Norman doorway with chevron and beak-head mouldings; the font, presented by Mr. Howes, the contractor for the restoration, consists of a hexagonal basin, set on a circular base: in the church is a monument by Lough, to the Rev. W. Ainger D.D. for 24 years the incumbent of the parish, land principal of St. Bees Theological College, d. 20 Oct. 1840: a large number of carved fragments of stone, incised coffin slabs, and other sepulchras memorials, ramping from the 8th to probably the middle of the 14th century, have been found in and, about the church from time to time, and such as still remain are of great historical and artistic interest. The rudest and probably the earliest of these, discovered underneath the west front, is the upper portion of a cross-shaft, covered on both faces and one side with curious chain and scroll designs, and on the remaining side with a crenellated pattern: another fragment of similar date is the churchyard cross, now headless, but having on one side a serpent interlaced, and similar ornament on the reverse; a third venerable stone which formed the impost of a door of St. Bega’s Nunnery, was formerly built into the wall of the south aisle, but removed in 1868 to a position opposite the west front; it displays in the centre the figure of a winged monster with enormous teeth, attacked by an armed man, and at either end interlacings, and a bird within a circle; all these are of the 8th century; but of late Norman date, after 1150, there are a number of coffin slabs bearing carved or incised crosses, and one of these, now in the west wall of the transept, has also the figure of an archer; there are besides, similar relics of the 13th century, one of which is a cross-headed grave stone, for many years embedded in the bank of a hedge, but restored to the church about 1875 by Mr. William. Fox, to whose memory a handsome screen has been erected between the nave and transept; another is a coffin-slab with cross, and above it a triangular shield, charged with a bend sinister, and a roundel in the dexter chief; of this period is the gravestone of Prior Thomas de Cotyngham, who died A.D. 1300; it was found broken into many pieces, but has been skilfully restored, and is now preserved at the College; it bears an incised effigy, tonsured and vested, and has a marginal inscription; a fragment of a similar mamorial gives part of an inscription to Walter de Hualton A.D. 1281, and there is a slab of the 14th century, with a female effigy in tight-fitting dress and marginal inscription to Lady Johanna Lucy: within railings in the church are two much mutilated figures of knights, both of the late 13th century date, and one bearing a shield with the arms of Ireby; and a Late Norman piscina, a stoup and an early mortar also exist: the communion plate, given by Archbishop Grindal, bears the date 1581: the church was restored in 1855—8, under the direction of Mr. W. Butterfield, architect, and in 1858 the tower was heightened and the present bells hung: since 1873 it has been further restored, at a cost of £1,647, and affords 800 sittings. In the churchyard lie two mutilated stone effigies of knights, apparently of the 13th and 14th centuries. The registers date from the year 1538, and are perhaps the most perfect in the county, though some were damaged in 1868 by a fire, which was fortunately confined to the vestry. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £100, with 6 acres of glebe, and residence, in the gift of the Earl of Lonsdale, and held since 1896 by the Rev. James Armstrong Alexander M.A. of Queen’s College, Oxford. There is a Free Methodist chapel, built in 1866. St. Bees has from early times been distinguished for its religious foundations, a nunnery having existed here in the year 650, founded by St. Bega, an Irish saint, from which the parish takes its name; this continued for three centuries, when it was destroyed by the ravages of the Danes. A Benedictine priory was afterwards founded by William de Meschines, temp. Hen. I. upon the site of the ruined nunnery, about 1120, as a cell to St. Mary’s Abbey, York, and endowed with lands and possessions to an extent that caused it to rank high among the religious houses in the country, although it suffered at times from the attacks of armed bodies of invading Scots, and other depredators. The prior of St. Bees held the rank of Baron of the Isle of Man, and as such he was obliged to give his attendance upon the Kings and Lords of Man whensoever they required it, the refusal to do so involving the loss of the tithes and lands in that island, which the devotion of the kings had conferred on the Priory. The revenues, at the Dissolution, were estimated at £143 17s. 2d. Of the original nunnery a few interesting fragments still survive; of the Norman priory there is scarcely anything more than the traces of a water drain, since the domestic buildings were all removed about 1810; a view of them, however, as then existing, was published by Buck, about 1740.

The lighthouse stands in the township of Sand with, and is described thereunder; there are two good hotels, one of which, the “Sea Cote,” is situated at a short distance from the village, and near the sea; bathing machines are kept on the beach, and efforts are now being made to render St. Bees more attractive as a seaside resort, and for this purpose a visitors’ committee was formed in 1892. The Earl of Lonsdale, who is lord of the manor, and the Governors of St. Bees Grammar School, are the principal landowners. There are also a number of small landowners. The land in nearly every part of the parish is high, and bare of wood; but the soil towards the sea is fertile, and abounds with coal, freestone and limestone. The chief crops are wheat, barley and turnips. The township of St. Bees contains 2,435 acres; rateable value, £6,962; the population in 1891 was 1,041.

ST. BEES COLLEGE

St. Bees Theological College, which stands in Preston Quarter, founded by George Henry Law D.D, Bishop of Chester, 1812, and of Bath and Wells, 1824—45, in the year 1816, and endowed by William, 1st Earl of Lonsdale K.G. with the advowson of the parish, and recognised by Act of Parliament (3 and 4 Vic. cap. 77), is near the church, at the entrance to the charming vale that stretches from the coast onwards to Whitehaven, and distant half a mile from the beach: it is embosomed in the foliage of trees and sheltered by the surrounding hills, and forms with the church a conspicuous object in the lovely scenery of the neighbourhood. The founder gave a sum of £200 in order to procure from Queen Anne’s Bounty the further sum of £300 to build a Principal’s house which has since been considerably enlarged. The choir of the priory church, which had been roofless for upwards of two centuries, was also repaired and fitted for the College services at the expense of the Earl of Lonsdale, and the north transept was for some time used as a library, but a new lecture room, with library above it, was built in 1863, in the Early Decorated style, at right angles to the choir. The object of the college was to supply a good and economical education to candidates for Holy Orders, but it is now (1897) closed and disused.

Schools

The Free Grammar School was founded in 1583 by Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury (1575—83), & a native of Hensingham in this parish, by virtue of a charter of Queen Elizabeth, dated 24 April 1583; under which he also framed a body of Statutes & Ordinances for its management, dated 3 July in the same year: the original charter was confirmed by the Queen, 15 June, 1585; & in 1604 (25 June), James I. granted various messuages & rents, in augmentation of the endowment, which now consists of about 26 acres of land, let for about £41 yearly; also various collieries & quarries producing about £400 a year, & a sum of £19,522 in Consols, net interest of which amounts to about £559 per annum, the total income of the school is now (1897) £1,107 Per annum. The buildings, occupying a pleasant site near the church, are constructed of red sandstone & surround a quadrangle, & include residences for the head & second masters: connected with the school is a good library of 400 volumes & a subscription news room. The emoluments include a sum of £200 from Pembroke College, Cambridge, to be disposed of in awarding Exhibitions to boys proceeding to, or resident, at any college in that university; there are also 18 Foundation Scholarships, of from £24 to £28 a year each, & two others of £15 a year each, tenable only at the School; 5 Grindal Exhibitions of £40 each for 3 years; the Fox Exhibition of about £40, founded in 1848 by Dr. Fox, sometime provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, & tenable at that college; two others of £36 for 5 years, founded by the Rev. R. Dixon, in 1858, for natives of Whitehaven educated at this school, & also tenable at Queen’s College; there are also two exhibitions of £68 yearly for 5 years, founded in 1794, by Samuel Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, for Carlisle school, but which, in default of candidates therefrom are open to boys from St. Bees; also one Grindal Exhibition of £5 10s. & four Eglesfield Exhibitions of £81 each for 4 years; boys of this school are further entitled to compete for the Lady Hastings Exhibitions at Queen’s College, Oxford, value £90 yearly for 5 years. In 1881 a new scheme was framed by the Charity Commissioners for the administration of the school, which is managed by a body of 13 governors. There are now (1897) 148 boys.

A School Board of 5 members was formed 5 Nov. 1873, for the united district of St. Bees, Rottington & Sandwith with Preston Quarter contributory sending 1 member, F. W. Jackson, Workington, clerk to the board; Isaac Mossop, Melton villa, St. Bees, attendance officer.

Board School (boys & infants), St. Bees, built in 1875 for 150 children, average attendance, 122.

Board School (girls), St. Bees, built 1843 for 60 children; average attendance, 42.

Board School (mixed), built 1804 & enlarged in 1893, for 150 children; average attendance, 72.

National School, Nethertown (mixed), for 60 children; average attendance, 35.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1897)

Most Common Surnames in St Bees

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Allerdale Above Derwent Ward
1Smith1461:625.58%6
2Walker1071:848.52%21
3Wilson1031:883.08%3
4Graham961:942.40%1
5Fisher831:1099.80%34
6Brown761:1193.66%10
7Robinson711:1272.88%7
8Jackson661:1373.38%12
9Watson651:1393.65%16
10Taylor611:1485.89%24
11Thompson581:1561.97%4
12Little571:1582.83%11
13Bell541:1671.49%2
14Dixon531:1702.79%14
14Nicholson531:1703.61%17
14Hodgson531:1702.25%8
17Mossop521:17411.02%73
18Atkinson491:1843.64%19
19Rothery481:18827.12%249
20Wilkinson471:1925.28%31
20Johnston471:1922.14%9
22Steele451:20111.48%99
22Beck451:20120.36%200
24Tyson441:2056.60%42
25Reid401:22613.03%127
25Cowan401:22615.94%171
27FitzImons381:23873.08%778
28Moore371:2445.30%41
28Hutchinson371:2449.84%103
28Singleton371:24426.06%309
28McCourt371:24435.24%411
32Gill351:2588.58%93
32McAllister351:25830.17%366
32Casson351:25812.20%138
35Doran341:26612.98%163
35Southward341:26613.71%173
37Parker331:2744.68%40
37Kennedy331:2747.13%77
39Young321:2824.84%44
39Todd321:2827.24%84
39Dickinson321:2828.02%96
42Reay311:2916.28%68
42Tubman311:29165.96%839
44Hunter301:3017.16%89
45Fox291:31114.36%216
45Wear291:31139.73%579
47Mitchell281:3234.89%53
47Armstrong281:3231.00%5
47Leech281:32334.57%524
50White271:3354.94%60
50Harrison271:3352.14%20
50Richardson271:3351.84%18
50Logan271:33524.77%391
50Kitchen271:33510.89%173
50Batty271:33562.79%914
56Cook261:3477.85%119
56Williamson261:3474.40%50
56Shepherd261:3479.06%138
59Park251:3614.30%51
60Green241:3766.92%112
60Murray241:3762.61%28
60Ray241:37611.71%213
60Hales241:37661.54%985
64Clark231:3932.28%25
64Hill231:3935.78%97
64Burns231:3932.81%35
64Moor231:39310.18%195
64Telford231:3934.84%71
64Glaister231:3938.85%164
70Anderson221:4114.80%80
70Pearson221:4112.36%27
70Hetherington221:4112.07%23
70Rooney221:41120.75%405
70Mawson221:41113.10%267
70Lewthwaite221:41113.10%267
70Garraway221:411100.00%1,519
77Jones211:4304.43%72
77Middleton211:43021.65%457
77Shephard211:43051.22%951
77Grears211:43065.63%1,144
77Yowart211:43084.00%1,379
82Martin201:4522.24%30
82Davidson201:4521.75%22
82Hartley201:4526.58%131
82Nixon201:4522.33%32
82Sewell201:4523.32%48
82Coulthard201:4523.84%63
82Rogan201:45213.99%306
82Crosthwaite201:45212.12%272
90Hall191:4753.37%55
90Hughes191:4758.96%210
90Scott191:4750.98%13
90Simpson191:4752.24%33
90Campbell191:4753.82%66
90Carr191:4754.65%92
90Ferguson191:4753.05%46
90Allan191:47510.05%234
90Stephenson191:4753.10%47
90Knowles191:47518.63%428
90Walsh191:47526.76%595
90Johnstone191:4753.17%49
90Noble191:4756.19%127
90Pattinson191:4752.07%29
90Bragg191:4758.48%197
90Stalker191:4758.26%190
90Curwen191:47519.19%444
90Burney191:47534.55%733
90Burnyeat191:47534.55%733
109McKenzie181:5028.07%199
109Reed181:5024.09%85
109Douglas181:5024.99%107
109Oldfield181:50250.00%1,036
109Kitchin181:50218.00%439
114Russell171:53112.41%317
114Henderson171:5313.06%58
114Lancaster171:5313.50%69
114Duffy171:53112.50%321
114Ma'call171:53116.35%420
114Telfer171:53126.56%645
120Wood161:5652.15%38
120Cooper161:5657.44%205
120Morgan161:5655.00%122
120Carter161:5657.73%211
120Murphy161:5653.46%78
120Parkinson161:56523.88%619
120Lucas161:56539.02%951
120Addison161:56511.19%306
120Carruthers161:5651.70%26
120Leeson161:56588.89%1,736
120Ellwood161:5656.32%170
120Nulty161:56540.00%967
132Stewart151:6023.60%91
132Gray151:6028.67%256
132Mann151:60216.67%484
132Fleming151:6025.47%153
132Allison151:6026.28%182
132Milburn151:6024.09%104
132Lowther151:6027.58%220
132Brydon151:60241.67%1,036
132Fearon151:6024.84%124
132McCoid151:60244.12%1,081
132Magrady151:602100.00%1,948
143Holmes141:6452.52%56
143Gibson141:6451.85%37
143Ramsay141:64518.92%574
143Calvert141:6458.54%274
143Quinn141:6458.05%254
143Jenkinson141:6455.28%159
143McCartney141:64517.07%514
143Crone141:64514.74%467
143Fee141:64530.43%855
143Muncaster141:64518.18%552
153Wright131:6952.02%45
153Clarke131:6953.57%106
153Mason131:6953.80%116
153Baxter131:6955.06%166
153Savage131:6957.39%251
153Hale131:69535.14%1,022
153Benson131:6953.70%111
153Weeks131:69525.49%789
153Metcalf131:6958.55%292
153Sands131:69541.94%1,174
153Christian131:69519.40%619
153Tremble131:6959.49%317
153Conery131:695100.00%2,156
166Edwards121:7537.23%271
166Lee121:7534.33%150
166Bradley121:7537.55%284
166Robson121:7532.25%61
166Barber121:75321.82%733
166Nelson121:7532.73%85
166Craig121:7536.94%256
166Pickering121:7533.90%126
166Connor121:75312.12%444
166Rudd121:75310.53%374
166McGill121:75322.22%747
166Rook121:75310.34%366
166Simon121:75320.00%678
166Lowery121:75319.05%650
166Kirkbride121:7533.91%127
166Gair121:75360.00%1,609
166Swinburn121:75312.24%453
166Killen121:75338.71%1,174
166Horricks121:75363.16%1,660
166Waldern121:753100.00%2,282
166Reiling121:753100.00%2,282
166Renniker121:753100.00%2,282
188Davis111:8215.39%214
188Palmer111:8215.31%211
188Elliott111:8212.48%83
188Moss111:82123.91%855
188Banks111:8213.09%108
188Preston111:8219.91%384
188Patterson111:8214.80%191
188Stott111:82129.73%1,022
188Rodgers111:8216.88%283
188Johns111:82137.93%1,235
188Head111:8216.04%243
188Irvine111:82129.73%1,022
188Edgar111:8212.70%93
188Skelton111:8213.55%124
188McGowan111:82111.96%477
188Starkey111:82128.95%1,006
188Copeland111:82126.83%951
188Grayson111:82125.00%888
188Farrer111:82115.71%603
188Flinn111:82114.67%565
188Benn111:8217.64%304
188Keir111:82164.71%1,791
188Hanlon111:82145.83%1,423
188Creighton111:82110.09%391
188McGuiness111:82125.58%914
188Kellet111:82140.74%1,314
188Dailey111:82131.43%1,057
188Westmorland111:82115.28%586
188Quilliam111:821100.00%2,421
188Hawson111:821100.00%2,421
188Borrowdale111:82112.09%480
188Tatters111:82125.00%888
188Gaddes111:82126.19%932
188Frears111:82125.58%914
188Coyles111:82145.83%1,423
188McQuilliam111:82173.33%1,948
188McKinnly111:821100.00%2,421