Chawleigh Genealogical Records

Chawleigh 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.

Chawleigh Baptisms (1813-1893)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. They essentially record births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.

Devon Baptisms (1444-1915)

A searchable database of 2,225,292 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Devon Baptism Index (1813-1839)

Transcriptions of over 360,000 baptisms from most parishes in the county. Records include parents name and abode.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Chawleigh 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.

Chawleigh Banns (1754-1915)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. Thus they record any intended marriages that didn't occur.

Chawleigh Marriages (1754-1837)

Details of those who were married at the church between 1754 and 1837. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Devon Marriages (1446-2002)

A searchable database of 1,871,561 records, linked to original images of marriage registers. The records may include fathers' names, age, residence, occupations and more.

Devon Marriage Index (1754-1837)

Transcriptions of over 270,000 marriages from most parishes in the county.

Chawleigh 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.

Chawleigh Burials (1813-1871)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Devon Burials (1320-1988)

A searchable database of 1,666,144 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Devon Burials Index (1813-1837)

Transcriptions of over 225,000 burials from most parishes in the county. Induces the deceased's age.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Chawleigh 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.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Newspapers Covering Chawleigh

Exeter Flying Post (1800-1900)

A conservative newspaper covering business, family, legal and other news in the Exeter district.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams (1869-1870)

A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (1827-1950)

Original images of a regional newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the Devon area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.

Chawleigh 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.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

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.

Exeter Diocese & Archdeaconry Probate & Admons (1540-1799)

An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.

Devon Probate Index (1190-1980)

An index to over 300,000 Devon wills, admons and inventories from 550 sources. Index contains name, abode, occupation, type of document, year of probate, court, notes and document reference.

Chawleigh Immigration & Travel Records

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Settlement & Removal in Rural Devon (1662-1871)

A lengthy article detailing the practice of moving the needy poor between parishes. Contains examples of settlements, removals and examinations.

Sinking of the John (1855)

The story of a ship heading to Quebec from Plymouth that sank off the coast of Cornwall, killing 194 passengers. Includes information on the crew, passengers and others connected with the event.

North Devon Exodus (1818-1868)

An overview of emigration from north Devon to the Americas, with particulars of some who made the journey.

Prisoners in Devon Quarter Sessions (1655-1837)

A calendar of prisoners brought before the quarter sessions, with details of their crime and punishment. Contains entries for individuals who were transported.

Chawleigh Military Records

Devon Militia and Volunteer Lists (1799-1825)

Various military lists published in the Exeter Flying Post, particularly lists of deserters, which may list age and physical description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Devon WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Swansea-Devonian War Memorial (1914-1945)

Names from a presumably predominately Devonian war memorial in the former Bible Christian church at Swansea.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon & Exeter Oath Rolls (1723)

Transcriptions of documents listing those who swore loyalty to King George I after the Jacobite Atterbury Plot.

Indictable Offenses in Devon Quarter Sessions (1745-1782)

A calendar of cases to be heard before the quarter session that are indictable by nature,.

Cursers & Badgers in Devon Quarter Sessions (1729-1745)

Two calendars, one of those licensed to carry out trade and the other those brought before the session for cursing.

Chawleigh Taxation Records

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

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.

Chawleigh Land & Property Records

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Chawleigh Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1923)

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 Devon (1919)

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 Devon (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1910)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.

Chawleigh Cemeteries

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Devon Headstones (1780-2000)

Memorials of a select number of headstones in Devon.

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.

Chawleigh 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.

Chawleigh Histories & Books

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Magna Britannia: Devonshire (1066-1822)

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

The History of Devon (44-Present)

Numerous articles covering the history of the country, its principle settlements, notable persons, castles and more.

Devon in 1850 (1850)

A detailed overview of Devon in 1850, extracted from a directory of that year.

Chawleigh 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.

Chawleigh Occupation & Business Records

Women in Cornwall & Devon Mines (1770-1920)

Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1847-1859)

Lists of gamekeepers from the North Devon Journal.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1834-1860)

Lists of gamekeepers from the The Western Times.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1800-1859)

A series of newspaper articles listing gamekeepers in Devon.

Devon Runaway Apprentices (1800-1889)

Transcripts of newspaper articles listing the particulars of apprentices who absconded from their master.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Chawleigh

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.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Chawleigh Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitations of Devon: 1531, 1564 & 1620 (1000-1620)

Three works compiled from 16th and 17th century sources that record Devon families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.

Devonshire Ignobles (1620)

A list of men found by William Camden to have unsubstantiated claims to coats of arms.

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

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.

Chawleigh Church Records

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Devon Parish Registers (1754-1839)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Devon are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Episcopal Visitation Returns (1744-1779)

A series of questionnaires detailing the ecclesiastical predicament of around 250 parishes in Devon.

St Paul's Rebuilding Returns from Devon (1678)

A transcript of documents recording those who contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Westcountry Preachers (1815-1907)

A history of the Bible Christians, a denomination of Methodists, in Devon and Cornwall.

Biographical Directories Covering Chawleigh

Devonshire Characters and Strange Events (1550-1904)

A series of folk tales and detailed biographies of Devonshire men and women.

The Worthies of Devon (1066-1700)

Biographies of notable Devonians from the Norman period up to the end of the 17th century.

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.

Chawleigh Maps

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

East Devon Tithe Maps (1840)

Maps delineating fields, forests and other land plots in east Devon. Apportionments not included.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Maps of Devon (1563-1922)

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.

Chawleigh Reference Works

Devon Surnames (1086-1967)

A series of articles on Devon surnames, including a dictionary of Devon surname definitions.

Locating Devon Wills (1400-Present)

A guide to locating Devon wills in light of losses incurred during World War II.

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.

Historical Description

CHAWLEIGE is a parish and village, on the road from Crediton to Barnstaple, 2 miles north-east from Eggesford station on the North Devon branch of the London and South Western railway (which is in this parish), 2 south-east from Chulmleigh, 12 north-west from Crediton and 10 south from South Molton, in the Northern division of the county, North Tawton hundred, South Molton petty sessional division, Crediton union and county court district, rural deanery of Chulmleigh, archdeaconry of Barnstaple and diocese of Exeter. The Little Dart separates Chawleigh from Chulmleigh and Cheldon parishes on the north, forming the chief portion of the boundary on that side, and, running through the parish, joins the Taw on the west. The church of St. James is an ancient building of stone, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells: the nave is separated from the chancel by a very fine screen, with elaborate groining and an unusually high and effective cresting: the rood stairs also remain: in 1874 the interior of the church was thoroughly restored and a clock erected, at a total cost of £1,450: there are 300 sittings. The register of baptisms dates from the year 1544; marriages, 1547; burials, 1559. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £214, including 97 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Portsmouth, and held since 1879 by the Rev. John Vowler Tanner B.A. of Caius College, Cambridge: the rectory house was built in 1880. There are Bible Christian and Congregational chapels. The charities are of £90 yearly value. A fair is held on May 6, and another fair was formerly held on the Tuesday before the last Thursday in October, but the latter is at present in abeyance. A monthly market is held at the Fox and Hounds hotel on every second Wednesday, except in December, when it is on the first Wednesday, for cattle, sheep, horses, produce, implements &c. and is well attended. The Earl of Portsmouth, who is lord of the manor, Sir W. L. G. Stucley Stucley bart. of Hartland Abbey and Sir Wm. Robert Williams bart. of Heanton Court, are the principal landowners. The soil is loam; subsoil, clay. The chief crops are wheat, oats and barley. The area is 5,493 acres of land and 39 of water; rateable value, £3,883; the population in 1901 was 648.

A School Board of 5 members for the united district of Chawleigh and Cheldon was formed Feb. 19, 1873; C. J. Hannaford, Chulmleigh, clerk to the board.

Board School (mixed), enlarged in 1894, for 140 children; average attendance, 110.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Chawleigh

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in North Tawton and Winkleigh Hundred
1Webber361:191.46%10
2Saunders271:252.67%78
3Reed211:321.76%53
3Snell211:321.68%48
5Vickery161:423.49%246
6Partridge131:521.83%135
7Turner121:560.70%25
7Tucker121:560.34%3
7Parr121:562.89%264
7Cann121:561.14%71
7Cockram121:562.51%228
7Cornall121:5613.33%1,243
13Phillips111:610.63%23
13Davey111:610.55%15
13Steer111:611.20%94
13Edworthy111:615.00%541
13Tolly111:6126.83%2,214
18Bird101:672.20%247
19Way91:751.42%161
19Sage91:754.33%572
19Challice91:7510.84%1,333
22Smith81:840.23%4
22Edwards81:840.52%32
22Jeffery81:840.83%85
22Goss81:841.59%214
22Dart81:841.10%128
22Shipman81:8457.14%4,290
22Elworthy81:844.47%677
22Gibbings81:843.25%472
30Baker71:960.24%6
30Miller71:960.70%80
30Richards71:960.31%11
30Rogers71:960.54%45
30Holmes71:961.10%158
30Mathews71:961.78%283
30Petherick71:963.02%501
30Tremayne71:9625.93%2,866
30Ellacott71:964.02%696
30Sherbourne71:96100.00%6,891
30Josland71:9630.43%3,174
41Taylor61:1120.24%9
41Adams61:1120.37%29
41Hunt61:1120.74%110
41Long61:1121.09%192
41May61:1120.44%39
41Wilcox61:1127.32%1,345
41Nunn61:1128.70%1,545
41Greenslade61:1120.89%143
41Keenor61:11213.33%2,070
41Haymen61:11246.15%4,496
51Cook51:1340.49%76
51Ford51:1340.30%28
51Sanders51:1340.25%14
51Ware51:1340.85%178
51Newcombe51:1340.76%154
56Wood41:1680.27%35
56Allen41:1680.46%102
56Tanner41:1682.78%815
56Bradford41:1680.81%221
56Parish41:1681.52%446
56Passmore41:1680.62%155
56Folland41:1681.87%551
56Bater41:1682.47%739
56Trigger41:1685.56%1,497
56Dilling41:1685.71%1,524
66Hill31:2240.09%5
66Leach31:2240.65%240
66Bromley31:2246.67%2,070
66Ley31:2240.55%198
66Gribble31:2241.07%417
66Leworthy31:2242.07%811
66Sing31:2245.08%1,708
66Woolland31:2243.45%1,272
66Stentiford31:2242.33%916
66Shobbrook31:2242.97%1,118
66Kimp31:22427.27%5,026
77Clarke21:3360.13%34
77Matthews21:3360.20%77
77Harding21:3360.19%70
77Gardner21:3361.02%610
77Kemp21:3360.67%383
77Bartlett21:3360.19%73
77Peters21:3360.49%269
77Searle21:3360.21%87
77Hutchings21:3360.16%51
77Sampson21:3360.40%212
77Tonkin21:3361.50%890
77Whitefield21:3362.00%1,133
77Trick21:3361.09%663
77Duckham21:3362.94%1,565
77Fewings21:3360.87%507
77Born21:3362.50%1,375
77Galliford21:3362.15%1,205
77Petheram21:336100.00%13,160
95Jones11:6710.05%18
95Green11:6710.18%186
95Martin11:6710.04%8
95Moore11:6710.06%26
95Cox11:6710.08%47
95Parsons11:6710.08%52
95Lawrence11:6710.35%413
95Mann11:6710.26%286
95Hooper11:6710.05%19
95Short11:6710.09%69
95Mellor11:6716.25%3,944
95North11:6710.57%691
95Rice11:6710.11%98
95Gough11:6710.78%916
95Lock11:6710.09%65
95Lake11:6710.10%84
95Piper11:6710.22%248
95Cousins11:6710.43%507
95Munn11:67125.00%9,849
95Nott11:6710.29%327
95Tozer11:6710.13%120
95Easterbrook11:6710.19%205
95Heale11:6710.38%446
95Oats11:6718.33%4,730
95Wilcocks11:6710.57%685
95Foss11:6711.25%1,375
95Shapland11:6710.38%442
95Tremain11:6714.35%3,174
95Shopland11:6710.93%1,058
95Hookey11:6719.09%5,026
95Tonkins11:6712.17%2,022
95Ashplant11:6711.28%1,398
95Bere11:6712.50%2,249
95Lampson11:67120.00%8,667
95Baple11:67111.11%5,765
95Noahs11:671100.00%15,767