Willesley Genealogical Records

Willesley 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.

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.

Derbyshire Baptism Index (1538-1910)

An index to around 700,000 baptism records, listing name, date of baptism, parents' names and parish.

Derbyshire Bastardy Index (1718-1860)

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

Willesley 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.

Leicestershire Marriage and Banns Transcripts (1537-1894)

Transcriptions of marriage registers for around half the parishes in Leicestershire. They list brides and grooms, their residence, marital status and occasionally other details. Also included are transcripts of records that detail intentions to marry.

Leicester Archdeaconry Marriage Licences (1570-1729)

An index to marriage bonds and allegations issued by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains the name of both parties (indexed by groom), their abodes and year of allegation.

Leicestershire Marriage Transcripts (1537-1939)

Transcripts of Anglican marriage registers from over 100 churches in Leicestershire.

Derbyshire Marriages (1538-1993)

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

Willesley 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.

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.

Derbyshire Workhouse Registers (1838-1868)

Extracts from the birth, discharge and death registers of Derbyshire workhouses.

Willesley 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.

The Leicestershire Survey (1124-1129)

A survey of landowners in early 12th century Leicestershire.

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.

Newspapers Covering Willesley

Birmingham Daily Mail (1914-1918)

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

Derby Daily Telegraph (1879-1950)

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

Nottingham Evening Post (1878-1944)

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

Lichfield Mercury (1877-1950)

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

Tamworth Herald (1870-1950)

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

Willesley 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.

Archdeaconry of Leicester Will & Admon Index (1660-1750)

A calendar to wills and admons granted by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains year of the grant, name and residence.

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.

Willesley 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.

Willesley Military Records

The Fifth of Leicestershire (1914-1919)

A history of the firth's WWI movements and campaigns.

Leicestershire War Memorials (1914-1945)

Profiles and photos of memorials in the county. Names from the monuments have been transcribed.

Leicestershire and Rutland Casualties (1914-1920)

Brief details of 13,680 of the counties' men who lost their lives in WWI.

Leicestershire WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Leicestershire WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

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

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.

Willesley 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.

Willesley Land & Property Records

The Leicestershire Survey (1124-1129)

A survey of landowners in early 12th century Leicestershire.

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.

Willesley Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland (1941)

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

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland (1928)

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 Leicestershire (1925)

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

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland (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 Leicestershire & Rutland (1916)

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.

Willesley Cemeteries

Leicestershire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

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.

Willesley 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.

Willesley Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Leicestershire (1086-1900)

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

Leicestershire & Rutland Churches (849-Present)

Profiles of parish churches in the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. Richly illustrated with professional-grade photographs.

Leicestershire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Leicestershire.

Leicestershire Agricultural Terms (1809)

A short dictionary of agricultural terms used in the counties of Leicester and Rutland.

Leicestershire Windmills (1998-Present)

An index of windmills in the county, with brief notes and some photographs.

Willesley 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.

Willesley Occupation & Business Records

Northern Framland Carriers (1600-1877)

A short history of those who transported goods in part of Leicestershire.

Midlands Mines Index (1896)

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

Lost Pubs of Leicestershire (1750-Present)

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

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.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Willesley

Victoria County History: Leicestershire (1086-1900)

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

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.

Willesley Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Leicestershire (1086-1900)

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

Leicestershire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

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.

Willesley Church Records

Leicestershire & Rutland Churches (849-Present)

Profiles of parish churches in the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. Richly illustrated with professional-grade photographs.

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.

Biographical Directories Covering Willesley

Who's Who of Radical Leicester (1800-1990)

Biographies, including some portraits, of Leicestershire men and women who agitated for political reform.

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.

Willesley Maps

Maps of Leicestershire (1611-1900)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

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.

Willesley 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

WILLESLEY is a township and parish on the western border of the county, 1 ½ miles south-west from Ashby-de-la-Zouch station on the Ashby and Nuneaton branch of the Midland railway, 9 south-east from Burton-upon-Trent and 15 west from Derby, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Repton and Gresley, Ashby-de-la-Zouch petty sessional division, Ashby-de-la-Zouch union and county court district, rural deanery of Repton, archdeaconry of Derby and diocese of Southwell.

This parish, formerly in Derbyshire, has been transferred to Leicestershire, under the provisions of the “Local Government (England and Wales) Act, 1888,” by the Counties of Derby and Leicester (Woodville &c.) Order, which came into force Sept. 30, 1897.

The church of St. Thomas, situated close to the Hall; is a building of stone, dating generally from the first half of the 14th century, and consisting of chancel, nave and an embattled western tower with pinnacles, built in 1845, and containing 2 small bells without date: there are some interesting monuments to the Hastings and Abney families, including, on the floor of the chancel, two alabaster slabs, with figures and inscriptions much worn, to John Abney and Maria his wife (1505), and to George Abney and Ellen his wife (1571): on the floor of the nave is another alabaster slab with inscription to Sir John Wylkins, priest, and there is also a fine altar tomb of black and white marble to Sir Charles Hastings bart. d. 30 Sept. 1823: in the chancel windows are some fragments of old glass and modern heraldic glass of the Hastings family; the church was reseated in the year 1883 at the sole expense of the Earl of Loudoun, and a handsome pulpit and prayer desk placed in it: there are 100 sittings. The register dates from 1677, and contains also a list of moneys collected by Brief from 1669 to 1707. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £53, in the gift of the Earl of Loudoun, and held since 1899 by the Rev. Arthur Simmonds Mammatt M.A. of Balliol College, Oxford, and also vicar of Packington, where he resides. The Earl of Loudoun D.L., J.P. is lord of the manor and sole landowner, and has a red brick mansion here, called Willesley Hall, standing in a magnificently-wooded park of 190 acres, including a lake of 24 acres in extent. The soil is heavy; subsoil, yellow clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. The area is 782 acres of land and 26 of water; rateable value, £922; the population in 1891 was 64.

The children of this parish attend the schools at Measham, Packington & Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland (1899)

Most Common Surnames in Willesley

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Repton and Gresley Hundred
1Sutton81:71.86%180
2Smith61:100.07%1
3Belcher51:1125.00%2,489
3Tompson51:1150.00%3,962
5Mosley41:140.82%156
5Jordon41:1419.05%2,409
7Smedley31:190.41%84
8Stevens21:290.31%106
9Williams11:570.14%97
9Parker11:570.10%51
9Richardson11:570.11%55
9Fox11:570.11%53
9Slater11:570.08%33
9Heaton11:571.33%1,001
9Keen11:574.76%2,409
9Corbett11:571.04%817
9Bradford11:570.57%473
9Boulton11:571.75%1,228
9Hadfield11:570.11%55
9O'Ram11:5714.29%5,189
9Sidwell11:574.55%2,325
9Stevans11:5714.29%5,189
9Steavens11:57100.00%11,796
9Mykes11:57100.00%11,796