Dronfield Genealogical Records

Dronfield 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.

Dronfield Baptisms (1783-1912)

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 and more.

Dronfield, Holmesfield Baptisms (1560-1814)

Baptism registers are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present. They record a child's name, parents' names and date of birth and/or baptism.

Derbyshire Baptisms (1538-1990)

A searchable database containing over 230,000 baptisms, providing proof of parentage, occupations and residence.

Derbyshire Registrar's Birth Index (1837-2008)

An index of Derbyshire births recording the sub-registration district the birth was registered in.

Dronfield 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.

Dronfield Marriage Records (1560-1837)

A searchable transcript recording marriages solemnised at Dronfield between 1560 and 1837. Details may include residence, marital status and witnesses.

Dronfield Marriages (1720-1912)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1720 and 1912.

Dronfield Marriage Index (1670-1744)

An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Dronfield, Holmesfield Marriages (1560-1812)

An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Dronfield 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.

Dronfield Burials (1813-1870)

An index to burial records kept by the church. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the registers.

Dronfield, Holmesfield Burials (1560-1867)

An index to burial records kept by the church. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the registers.

Derbyshire Burials (1566-1972)

A searchable database containing over 53,000 burials. They may provide age and residence.

Derbyshire Registrar's Death Index (1837-2009)

An index of Derbyshire deaths recording the sub-registration district the death was registered in.

Dronfield 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.

Derbyshire Hearth Tax Assessments (1662-1670)

Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Derbyshire.

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 Dronfield

Sheffield Evening Telegraph (1887-1904)

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

Sheffield Daily Telegraph (1855-1904)

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

Sheffield Independent (1819-1900)

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

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald (1854-1950)

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

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Dronfield 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.

Lichfield and Coventry Diocese Probate Index (1650-1760)

An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. Copies of wills can be ordered or viewed at the record office in Lichfield.

Derbyshire Will Index (1858-1928)

An index to wills, proved by the Derby Probate Registry. Index includes name, residence and year of probate. Contains entries for Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and other counties.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Derbyshire Probate Index (1519-1928)

An index to wills and administrations, largely for residents of Derbyshire.

Dronfield Immigration & Travel Records

Derbyshire Settlement Examinations (1704-1860)

A calendar to documents that granted a person settlement in a parish so long as they did not become a financial burden.

Derbyshire Removal Index (1687-1864)

A calendar to documents detailing the removal of a person or family from one parish to another.

Derbyshire-Australia Transportations (1784-1788)

A calendar to documents detailing the transportation of people from Derbyshire to Australia.

Derbyshire Transportation Index (1720-1772)

A calendar to records detailing the transportation of people from Derbyshire to parts of the British Empire.

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.

Dronfield Military Records

Sherwood Foresters, Notts. and Derbyshire Regiments (1771-1936)

Articles relating to a Midlands infantry regiment and its predecessors

Derbyshire Militia - Army Enlistments (1813)

The names of Derbyshire militia-men who joined the regular Army in 1813.

Derbyshire WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Derbyshire, with some service details.

Derbyshire WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Derbyshire, with some service details.

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.

Derbyshire Bastardy Index (1718-1860)

A calendar to documents detailing the birth and administration of illegitimate children.

Derbyshire Settlement Examinations (1704-1860)

A calendar to documents that granted a person settlement in a parish so long as they did not become a financial burden.

Derbyshire Removal Index (1687-1864)

A calendar to documents detailing the removal of a person or family from one parish to another.

Derbyshire Criminal Index (1634-1825)

A calendar to criminal cases in Derbyshire, such as from quarter sessions.

Rolls of the 1281 Derbyshire Eyre (1281)

Transcriptions of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Dronfield Taxation Records

Derbyshire Hearth Tax Assessments (1662-1670)

Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Derbyshire.

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.

Dronfield Land & Property Records

Derbyshire Domesday Records (1086)

An English translation of Derbyshire domesday records. This transcripts details the county's landowners in 1086.

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.

Dronfield Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire (1941)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire (1932)

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 Derbyshire (1928)

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

Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire (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 Derbyshire (1912-1941)

A collection of directories detailing the history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents of Derbyshire.

Dronfield Cemeteries

Dronfield Cemetery Burials (1877-1879)

The name, age, occupation or status and date of burial of those buried at Dronfield Cemetery.

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.

Dronfield 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.

Dronfield Histories & Books

Notes & Queries for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (1893-1898)

Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Domesday Records (1086)

An English translation of Derbyshire domesday records. This transcripts details the county's landowners in 1086.

Victoria County History: Derbyshire (1086-1900)

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

Magna Britannia: Derbyshire (1066-1817)

A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.

Picture the Past (1485-Present)

A collection of over 100,000 images, such as portraits, postcards and photographs, largely covering the counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Dronfield School & Education Records

Derbyshire Schools Registers (1870-1905)

Transcriptions of school registers, which may include date of birth, name of parent(s) or guardian(s), residence and other details.

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.

Dronfield Occupation & Business Records

Derbyshire Photographers (1844-1964)

An index to photographers and photographic studios operating in Derbyshire. Contains biographical information and examples of work.

Derbyshire Apprenticeship Index (1650-1869)

A calendar to documents recording the apprenticeship of children to masters. They often contain genealogical information.

Derbyshire Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of Derbyshire coal and metal mines.

Lost Pubs of Derbyshire (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.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Dronfield

Victoria County History: Derbyshire (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.

Dronfield Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Derbyshire (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.

Knights of England (1127-1904)

The most comprehensive listing of Knights of the Crown, listing details where known to the order, date, place and reason for elevation.

Dronfield Church Records

Derbyshire Church Histories (850-Present)

Histories of Anglican churches in the county of Derbyshire, illustrated with exquisite photographs. Maintained by the Diocese of Derby.

Lichfield Diocese Parish Clerk Nomiations (1691-1916)

An index to surviving nominations of parish clerks. The index may contain: parish, surname, forename, year, the reason for the appointment (e.g. death, ill-health, retirement or dismissal of predecessor), and occasionally further information, such as occupation or age.

Derbyshire Churches (900-Present)

Profiles of Derbyshire parish churches, including photographs.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Derbyshire Parish Registers (1538-1910)

An index to 190,000 baptisms, marriages and burials recorded in some of Derbyshire's Anglican churches.

Biographical Directories Covering Dronfield

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.

Dronfield Maps

Maps of Derbyshire (1610-1900)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

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.

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.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Dronfield 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

Dronfield, a small, but neat town, containing, according to the late act, 243 houses, and 1,182 inhabitants, of whom 154 were returned as being employed in trade. It is pleasantly situated in a valley, and is reckoned remarkably healthy, the inhabitants being generally long lived. The Church is a handsome building, 132 feet in length, having a tower at the west end, terminated by a spire; from a joint in the north side of the chancel, 18 feet from the ground, springs out a small elm tree, about five feet in height, a stone towards the west corner appearing to have given way to it. Opposite the west end of the church was formerly a chantry, now the Dragon public-house. There is a well endowed Free School in the town, founded by Henry Fanshawe, Esq. in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is situated 157 miles from London, and had formerly a market, which, from its vicinity to Chesterfield and Sheffield, is now disused.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

DRONFIELD is a township, parish and town lying in a valley, on the old road from Chesterfield to Sheffield, with a station on the Midland railway, 6 miles north-west from Chesterfield and 6 south from Sheffield, in the North Eastern division of the county, hundred of Scarsdale, Eckington petty sessional division, Chesterfield union and county court district, rural deanery of Dronfield, archdeaconry of Derby and diocese of Southwell. The “Local Government Act of 1858” was adopted II Oct. 1861, and the parish was governed by a Local Board, but under the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), an Urban District has been established; the town is lighted with gas by a limited company and supplied with water from springs. The church of St. John the Baptist, situated on a height, is a large building in the Early Gothic style, consisting of chancel with vestry, clerestoried nave, aisles, porch and an embattled western tower with spire rising to a height of 132 feet and containing a clock and 6 bells: in the vestry, which is two storeys in height, are two wooden chests, in which are preserved five large folio volumes of Poole’s “Synopsis Criticorum,” dated 1674, and a chained copy of Bishop Jewel’s “Apology for the Church of England,” dated 1569: the aisles are separated from the nave by arcades of four arches on plain circular piers: the chancel, which is higher than the rest of the church, is Decorated, and retains three sedilia with crocketed finials and a piscina: the pulpit is very finely carved in oak: the stained east window is a memorial to the late Samuel Parker, of Broom Grove House, Sheffield, d. 1886, and there is another to the late Botheram Cecil esq. J.P.; the west window, the square-headed clerestory windows, the battlements of the tower and the vestry are Perpendicular, and several of the windows display emblazoned coats of arms: there is an ancient tomb with recumbent effigy to Sir Richard Barley knt. of Dronfield Woodhouse, dating from the first half of the 15th century, and repaired by James Barley in 1593: in the chancel are brasses to the Fanshawe family, dated 1545; to Michael Burton, ob. 12 July, 1656; William Burton, ob. 8 July, 1657; Mary Burton, ob. 20 April, 1773; and to John, Samuel and Elizabeth Rotherham, of Dronfield House, dated 1794, 1795 and 1797 respectively, besides several others, including those of two priests who erected the church: the organ was erected at a cost of £230 and a litany desk was presented in 1898 by Mrs. Fowler Greaves; in 1855 considerable alterations were made, when £1,000 was spent in repairing and repewing the church; the chancel was restored in 1886, and since then the choir stalls and organ have been renovated, the tower and spire repaired, and heating and ventilating apparatus fixed; there are 610 sittings, of which 230 are free. The register dates from the year 1560. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value, £330, including 145 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, and held since 1888 by the Rev. Charles Isaac Bickerstaff, rural dean of Dronfield, surrogate, and diocesan inspector of schools. The advowson was given to the neighbouring Abbey of Beauchief by Sir Henry De Brailsford, in the reign of Edward I. though the tithes were not appropriated to that monastery until 1399, and the vicarage of Dronfield was endowed four years later. There is a Free Methodist chapel, erected in 1883, with 150 sittings: the Baptist chapel, built in 1871, has 200 sittings; Wesleyan, built in 1876, 150 sittings; Congregational, built in 1812 and rebuilt 1860, 550 sittings; and the Primitive Methodist chapel, an iron structure, erected in 1875, has 100 sittings. A burial board of 9 members was established in Nov. 1876, but by the Local Government Act, 1894, this has been superseded by a joint committee of the Urban District Council of Dronfield and the parish councils of Unstone, Coal Aston and Dronfield Woodhouse. The cemetery, opened in November, 1877, is 8 acres in extent, and contains two mortuary chapels and a residence for the sexton; the total cost was £7,500.

The Town Hall, a substantial edifice of stone, was erected by the trustees of Taylor’s Charity, in 1863; the petty sessions, council meetings &c. are held here. The Sheffield and Rotherham Joint Stock Banking Company Limited have a branch establishment here, opened twice weekly, and a sub-branch of the York City and County Banking Co. Limited is open here Wednesday and Saturday. There are extensive foundries, where spindles, flyers, files, edge tools, spades and shovels, steel and malleable iron are made; reaping hooks, sickles and scythes are produced in the township. A cattle fair is held yearly on April 25th, and a hiring for servants November 3rd. A flower show is held generally in August or September, at which there is also a good show of vegetables. James Swift, 18th May, 1610, left £3, to be distributed annually to the poor by the churchwardens: the Rev. Lawrence Banks surrendered by deed poll, dated 20th October, 1662, certain lands, the rents thereof to be distributed to the poor on Easter Sunday: Dorothy Hall left, June 19th, 1711, a sum of £100, the interest to be distributed yearly as follows:-£4 to the minister of Dronfield church, to preach therein four sermons yearly, and the rest to be divided among the poor; it has not, however, been ascertained whether this sum was ever laid out; but the vicar receives annually £2, of which amount he retains £1 15s. for preaching two sermons on Good Friday and Midsummer day, and distributes 5s. in bread to the poor: George Cooper left, September 19th, 1763, the sum of £2 12s. to the vicar and churchwardens of Dronfield yearly, to be distributed in twelve penny loaves amongst twelve poor people every Sunday for ever: the Rev. Francis Gisborne’s charity, founded in 1817, distributes to the poor of Dronfield, £7 10s. yearly in flannel: Richardson’s and Sload's doles, founded March 18th, 1684, produce 36s. yearly-one moiety being paid to the vicar for preaching a sermon annually on the 5th August, and the other to purchase 13 stuff gowns for poor women of Dronfield: Isaac Tomlinson left, in 1884, £600 to be invested, the interest of which is paid to the organist and choir of Dronfield church: there are various other small charities. The trustees of the Cecil estate are the lords of the manor and the principal landowners. The soil is fine light land; subsoil, limestone and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, barley, oats, turnips and hay. The area of the township is 2,589 acres; rateable value, £9,940; the population of Dronfield township in 1891 was 4,166, and of the ecclesiastical parish, 6,387. The area of the urban district is 1,046 acres; the population in 1891 was 3,438.

Petty Sessions are held on Mondays, consecutively with Eckington. The places in the division are Holmesfield, Dore & Totley, Dronfield, Dronfield Woodhouse, Coal Aston, Unstone, Apperknowle, Hundow, Birchitt & Summerley.

SCHOOLS

Grammar School, founded & endowed by Henry Fanshawe in 1567 & incorporated by letters patent in the 21st year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1578—9); in 1867 a new building in the Elizabethan style, with master’s residence, was erected for 80 pupils, & in 1893, the building was further enlarged by the addition of laboratories for chemistry physics; the school is intended both for day boys & boarders & has attached twelve Fanshawe scholarships, entitling the holders to free education & a yearly sum of £5; these are open to boys who are or have been scholars in any of the public elementary schools in the ancient parish of Dronfield & are competed for in public examinations; science classes have also been established at the school in connection with the Science & Art Department; the school was reopened in October, 1888, under a new scheme of the Charity Commissioners, which, in 1899, was altered, so as to provide for the admission of girls; the school is now managed by a body of 14 governors, of whom four are co-optative & the others representative: Charles C. Baggaley B.A. headmaster, assisted by a staff of 3 masters & a mistress.

A School Board of 7 members was formed for Dronfield, 3 Mar. 1871; Herbert Noel Lucas, Church street, Dronfield & 23 Church street, Sheffield, clerk; Thomas Kitchens, attendance officer.

Board School, Cross lane, with master’s residence, erected in 1875, at a cost of £6,869, for 240 boys, 180 girls & 180 infants; average attendance, 220 boys, 194 girls & 140 infants.

A School Board of 5 members was formed for Unstone, 3 Nov. 1871.

Board (mixed), erected in 1873, for 295 children; average attendance, 170.

Board, Apperknowle (infants), erected in 1874, for 100 children; average attendance, 54.

National, Unstone (mixed), erected in 1873, for 265 children; average attendance, 180.

National, Coal Aston (mixed), erected in 1874, & enlarged in 1898, at a cost of £240, for 195 children; average attendance, 138.

Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire (1899)

Most Common Surnames in Dronfield

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Scarsdale Hundred
1Ward2861:3115.34%20
2Bennett1351:666.99%19
3Wright1081:823.89%5
4Webster871:1026.23%31
5Booker851:10424.43%236
6Allen831:1074.82%23
6Mather831:10720.39%193
8Mason751:1187.89%54
9Taylor721:1231.68%2
10Lowe711:1255.76%35
11Green641:1393.87%24
12Brown631:1412.08%3
13Vickers621:14316.49%217
14Sharp581:15313.81%183
15Smith571:1560.69%1
16Turner561:1582.43%9
16Barker561:1583.44%26
18Booth521:1703.15%25
18Hewitt521:17010.99%159
18Biggin521:17024.64%406
21Johnson511:1742.28%11
21Bingham511:1749.71%141
23Robinson501:1772.36%13
23Tomlinson501:1774.04%34
23Hibbert501:1779.09%121
26Haslam481:1859.32%145
27Gregory471:1893.26%30
28Wilson461:1932.28%16
28Cartwright461:19317.62%327
30Holmes451:1972.11%12
30Hardwick451:19711.17%198
32Fisher441:2016.34%98
32Unwin441:20119.30%375
34Hancock431:2066.70%107
34Thorpe431:2065.21%69
36Hill411:2161.97%14
36Cooper411:2162.03%15
36French411:21635.34%704
39Street391:22710.46%218
39Wildgoose391:22712.79%275
41Evans381:2333.31%39
41Shaw381:2331.67%10
41Swift381:2338.19%165
44Jackson361:2461.81%17
44Elliott361:2463.10%37
46Walker351:2531.23%4
46Martin351:2533.67%52
48Lockwood341:26139.53%909
48Marples341:26111.72%292
50Ashton321:2776.88%164
51White311:2861.72%21
51Davison311:28618.34%495
51Talbot311:28625.00%665
51Heathcote311:2867.89%204
51Staton311:28616.06%439
56Bradley301:2952.96%48
56Fowler301:29526.55%725
56Jarvis301:29511.15%317
56Siddall301:29511.81%339
56Rotherham301:29541.10%1,024
61Chapman291:3064.10%95
61Rhodes291:3065.82%148
63Needham271:3283.36%72
63Higginbottom271:3286.57%188
63Greatorex271:3287.61%232
63Hodkin271:32827.00%795
63Havenhand271:32822.31%682
68Richardson261:3412.76%55
68Fox261:3412.73%53
68Vaughan261:34130.95%921
68Henson261:34111.82%392
72Frost251:3553.19%73
72Briggs251:3554.51%120
72Knowles251:3553.71%100
72Greaves251:3555.51%170
72Hattersley251:35540.32%1,148
77Silcock241:36915.69%554
78Hartley231:38512.17%446
78Howarth231:38513.86%508
78Hopkinson231:3853.37%99
78Mosley231:3854.71%156
78Crookes231:38517.42%634
83Jones221:4031.45%29
83Cooke221:4035.50%199
83Charlesworth221:4039.13%354
83Rawson221:4038.21%318
83Wolstenholme221:40330.14%1,024
83Outram221:40315.07%571
83Reaney221:40329.73%1,012
90Harrison211:4220.88%8
90Burton211:4222.44%63
90Lievesley211:42245.65%1,423
93Stevenson201:4432.00%49
94Wood191:4670.75%7
94Davis191:4672.46%76
94Ellis191:4673.14%112
94Blackwell191:4675.76%249
94Atkin191:4676.71%296
94Wagstaff191:4675.54%237
94Crofts191:4676.79%302
101Webb181:4926.41%298
101Hodgson181:49211.11%526
101Morton181:4923.33%129
101Butcher181:49210.91%514
101Stringer181:49233.96%1,289
101Earnshaw181:49222.22%952
101Wheatman181:49275.00%2,181
108Greenwood171:52111.18%558
108Gill171:5214.42%212
108Dalton171:52119.32%886
108Whitworth171:5217.69%391
108Widdowson171:5215.18%250
108Westnedge171:521100.00%2,776
114Watson161:5541.39%38
114Ball161:5541.76%61
114Wheatley161:5543.01%136
114Fryer161:55415.38%769
114Oldfield161:5544.30%220
114Wain161:5542.72%114
114Smedley161:5542.19%84
114Rudge161:55476.19%2,409
114Tipper161:55419.28%934
114Tagg161:5549.04%466
124Foster151:5912.10%91
124Stevens151:5912.32%106
124Rose151:5913.04%151
124Wragg151:5912.29%105
124Wingfield151:59111.54%644
124Nadin151:5915.81%332
124Linacre151:59125.42%1,194
131Baker141:6331.73%70
131Wilkinson141:6331.93%86
131Rees141:63370.00%2,489
131Reed141:63313.46%769
131Slater141:6331.12%33
131Goodwin141:6331.34%45
131Coates141:6334.88%293
131Sharpe141:6335.98%366
131Rodgers141:6331.97%94
131Goodall141:6333.11%172
131Wainwright141:6335.51%339
131Sheard141:63387.50%2,887
131Shirt141:6337.78%458
131Creswick141:63356.00%2,116
145Williams131:6821.86%97
145Thompson131:6820.73%22
145Mitchell131:6822.75%159
145Simpson131:6821.38%55
145Fletcher131:6820.66%18
145Spencer131:6820.84%27
145Woodcock131:68211.82%738
145Marriott131:6821.66%74
145Bellamy131:68216.25%963
145Shelton131:6824.91%322
145Hardcastle131:68225.00%1,306
145Longden131:6824.05%258
145Broomhead131:6825.96%395
145Gard131:682100.00%3,305
145Tomkin131:682100.00%3,305
145Spick131:68286.67%3,022
161Moore121:7391.11%40
161James121:7392.60%168
161Williamson121:7392.05%115
161Hawkins121:7393.35%230
161Black121:73911.21%749
161Barlow121:7392.80%181
161Austin121:7394.01%282
161Lucas121:7399.68%665
161Hutton121:73910.43%712
161Milner121:7393.23%220
161Jenkinson121:7399.84%675
161Sampson121:73916.67%1,038
161Spooner121:7398.70%606
161Key121:7395.94%425
161Herrington121:73927.27%1,464
161Alton121:7395.06%361
161Halifax121:739100.00%3,486
161Gretorix121:739100.00%3,486
161Habberjam121:739100.00%3,486
180Adams111:8061.30%67
180Gray111:8065.64%436
180Harvey111:8061.93%118
180Howard111:8062.10%142
180Hardy111:8061.07%46
180Clayton111:8062.06%132
180Barton111:8062.28%158
180Savage111:8065.67%438
180Naylor111:8062.76%200
180Bradbury111:8061.52%87
180Armitage111:80616.67%1,100
180Bannister111:8069.02%675
180Watkinson111:8066.29%473
180Renshaw111:8063.29%242
180Cotterill111:8068.03%613
180Duffield111:80612.50%886
180Broadhead111:80622.00%1,344
180Dakin111:8062.08%137
180Brunt111:8066.04%455
180Swindell111:8063.47%260
180Hoggard111:80691.67%3,486
180Searston111:80621.57%1,326
180Brows111:806100.00%3,711