Shirley Genealogical Records

Shirley 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.

Shirley, St Michael Baptisms (1663-1905)

A searchable transcript of baptism registers, essentially recording births, but may include residence, father's occupation and more.

Shirley Baptisms (1663-1883)

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

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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley Marriages (1663-1912)

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

Derbyshire Marriages (1538-1993)

A searchable database containing over 115,000 marriages. They may provide proof of parentage, occupations and residence.

Derbyshire Registrar's Marriage Index (1837-2010)

An index of Derbyshire marriages recording the place of marriage, not just the registration district.

Vicar General’s Office Marriage Licences (1600-1679)

Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.

Shirley 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.

Shirley Burials (1663-1912)

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.

Derbyshire Burial Index (1538-1910)

An index to over 500,000 burial records, listing name, date and place of burial and occasionally names of relatives.

Shirley 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 Shirley

Derby Daily Telegraph (1879-1950)

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

Derby Mercury (1727-1900)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Derby area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

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.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

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

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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 Shirley

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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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 Shirley

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.

Shirley 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.

Shirley 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

SHIRLEY is a township, parish and picturesque village, 4 miles south-east from Ashborne station on the Churnet Valley section of the North Staffordshire railway and 10 north-west from Derby, in the Western division of the county, Appletree hundred, in the petty sessional division, union and county court district of Ashborne, rural deanery of Ashborne, archdeaconry of Derby and diocese of Southwell. By Local Government Board Order a detached part of Shirley was transferred in 1887 to Hollington. The church of St. Michael, a building of stone, situated upon an acclivity, consists of chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled tower with four pinnacles, erected in 1861 and containing 3 bells, two of which are dated 1688: in 1842 the north aisle was added and the church refitted, the chancel arch, the only remnant of the Early Norman church, being re-placed by a Pointed arch; all the ancient parts of the church now remaining, including the south aisle and its windows, and the arcade separating it from the nave, are Decorated: the chancel retains a piscina, and in the opposite wall an almery; there is also a piscina in the south aisle: the font is an octagonal work of the 15th century: such ancient monuments as remained appear to have been destroyed in the repairs of 1842: at the east end of the north aisle is a portion of the Norman tympanum once placed over the principal entrance: in the north aisle is a handsome marble monument to the Right Rev. W. A. Shirley, Bishop of Sodor and Man; and previously archdeacon of Derby and vicar of Shirley, d. April 21, 1847: and in 1873 a brass was erected to the late Canon Walter Waddington Shirley, of Christ Church, Oxford: some of the communion plate is dated 1620; but two pieces date from the reign of Henry VII.: the chancel, which (with the great tithes) became the property of the late Sir Andrew B. Walker bart. on his purchasing the Osmaston estate, was redecorated by him in 1886, and there is a brass plate to that effect within the chancel: there are 200 sittings. The churchyard contains the remains of an ancient stone pillar monument, and a fine yew tree, the circumference of which, at four feet from the ground, is 17 feet. The register dates from the year 1658 for all entries and is in excellent condition. The living is a vicarage, with 9 acres of glebe, net yearly value £240, with residence, in the gift of Mrs. Shirley’s trustees, and held since 1886 by the Rev. William Richardson Linton M.A. of Corpus Christi college, Oxford. The vicarage is about a quarter of a mile from the church. Here is a Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1855. A reading room was opened January 1st, 1877, and is well supplied with daily papers, periodicals and magazines, and possesses also a library containing 300 volumes: the vicar is president. Here are charities amounting to £1 6s. 8d. yearly. Mrs. Shirley is lady of the manor. Sir Peter C. Walker bart. of Osmaston, and the trustees of the late Rev. W. W. Shirley D.D. are chief landowners. The soil is light; subsoil, gravel and sand. The land is chiefly kept in pasture for dairy produce. The area is 1,617 acres of land and 13 of water; rateable value, £2,697; the population in 1891 was 240.

National School (mixed), erected with residence in 1844, & enlarged in 1893, by subscription, assisted by a parliamentary grant, for 80 children; average attendance, 60.

Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire (1899)

Most Common Surnames in Shirley

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Appletree Hundred
1Goodall161:173.56%172
2Maskrey141:1916.09%898
3Derbyshire121:226.94%481
3Wheeldon121:222.55%162
5Williams81:331.15%97
5Hudson81:331.02%74
7Robinson71:380.33%13
7James71:381.52%168
7Cooke71:381.75%199
7Dakin71:381.32%137
7Wibberley71:382.75%336
12Lemon61:4414.63%1,527
12Redshaw61:4415.38%1,591
12Duroe61:4428.57%2,409
12Normanshaw61:4466.67%4,269
16Mason51:530.53%54
16Hope51:537.25%1,070
16Corfield51:5345.45%3,711
16Swindell51:531.58%260
16Swindill51:5350.00%3,962
21Harrison41:660.17%8
21Cresswell41:660.90%174
21Gadsby41:661.72%368
21Gilman41:663.36%693
21Titterton41:663.03%634
26Smith31:880.04%1
26Moore31:880.28%40
26Lane31:881.15%329
26Morley31:880.45%103
26Metcalfe31:8810.00%1,880
26Appleby31:882.27%634
26Baillie31:8875.00%7,638
26Orme31:880.74%192
34Johnson21:1330.09%11
34Hall21:1330.08%6
34Jackson21:1330.10%17
34Turner21:1330.09%9
34Howard21:1330.38%142
34Hurst21:1331.18%491
34Massey21:1330.79%341
34Woolley21:1330.38%137
34Roe21:1330.37%132
34Mansfield21:1330.54%218
34Strong21:1335.56%1,669
34Adcock21:1331.80%731
34Heathcote21:1330.51%204
34Twigg21:1330.66%278
34Wilmot21:1330.79%341
34Bloor21:1331.09%451
34Beeston21:1332.04%810
34Hoffman21:133100.00%10,119
34Hellaby21:13313.33%3,022
53Butler11:2650.17%113
53Ford11:2650.12%64
53Spencer11:2650.06%27
53Burton11:2650.12%63
53Harding11:2650.96%769
53Cross11:2650.38%320
53Slater11:2650.08%33
53Tomlinson11:2650.08%34
53Muir11:2653.57%1,974
53Rodgers11:2650.14%94
53Bryan11:2650.42%358
53Milner11:2650.27%220
53Hodgkinson11:2650.13%81
53Slack11:2650.11%62
53Waring11:2651.52%1,100
53Watkinson11:2650.57%473
53Compton11:2658.33%3,486
53Gent11:2650.45%384
53Wain11:2650.17%114
53Blood11:2650.34%284
53Maskery11:2651.33%1,001
53Wittingham11:26514.29%5,189
53Bolingbroke11:26550.00%10,119
53Cockeram11:2651.92%1,306
53Shirlock11:26516.67%5,875
53Elleby11:26510.00%3,962
53Gilsthorpe11:265100.00%11,796
53Sinfin11:265100.00%11,796