Northlew Genealogical Records

Northlew 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.

North Lew Baptisms (1692-1914)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1692.

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.

Northlew 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.

North Lew Banns (1824-1894)

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. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence.

Northlew Marriages (1754-1837)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They typically record marital status and residence. Details may also be given on a party's parents, age and parish of origin.

North Lew Marriages (1692-1754)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They typically the record marital status and residence of the bride and groom and may contain other details.

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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew Burials (1813-1837)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

North Lew Burials (1689-1915)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.

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.

Northlew 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 Northlew

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.

North Devon Journal (1824-1950)

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

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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 Northlew

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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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 Northlew

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.

Northlew 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.

Northlew 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

NORTH LEW is a compact village and parish, 2 ¼ miles north from Ashbury and North Lew station on the Okehampton and Holsworthy branch of the London and South Western railway, 4 ¾ south-west from Hatherleigh and 7 north-west from Okehampton, in the Western division of the county, petty sessional division of Hatherleigh, hundred of Black Torrington, union of Okehampton, county court district of Totnes, rural deanery of Okehampton, archdeaconry of Totnes and diocese of Exeter. The river Lew, which flows through the parish, abounds in salmon and trout. The church of St. Thomas a Becket is a building of stone, chiefly in the Perpendicular style, with some earlier portions, and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing 5 bells: the great feature of the interior is the very fine carving of the benches, dating from the 16th century and exhibiting great diversity of design and elaborate workmanship: the ends of the benches bear in some cases the emblems of the Passion and in others shields with monograms and the date 1537.: the roofs are also of carved oak and the lower portion of the rood screen remains: the stained east window was presented by the late Miss Woollcombe, of Morth Grange, and there are oak choir stalls and lectern, introduced at the late restoration: the font, an interesting example of Norman work, is assumed to have belonged to the original church: in 1894 a carved stone reredos was erected as a memorial to the late Miss Woollcombe, of Morth Grange a new organ has since been provided by public subscription: the church was restored in 1885 at a cost of £1,450, under the direction of Mr. R. Medley Fulford A.R.I.B.A. of Exeter, when the roofs and benches were carefully repaired by Mr. H. Hems, of Exeter, the flooring relaid, a new communion table, pulpit, lectern and choir stalls erected, the battlementing of the tower renewed and the fabric generally renovated: a number of ancient embossed tiles have been laid down in the tower: the church affords 239 sittings. The register dates from the year 1700. The living is a rectory united with Ashbury, joint net yearly value £450, with 74 acres of glebe here and residence, in the gift of the Crown, and held since 1885 by the Rev. John Worthington M.A. of Brasenose College, Oxford, and rural dean of Okehampton. There are Bible Christian and Wesleyan chapels, also a Bible Christian Sunday school, erected in 1890. In the village is an ancient stone cross, to which a new granite shaft was added in 1900 by H. Hems and Sons, of Exeter. William Madge esq. of Blagdon, and the rector are lords of the manor. Morth Grange belongs to Mrs. George Woollcombe. John Morth Woollcombe esq. of Ashbury House, Mrs. George Woollcombe, and the trustees of the late Ven. Archdeacon Henry Woollcombe are landowners here. The soil is sand and clay; subsoil, stone. The chief crops are wheat, barley, oats and roots. The area is 7,247 acres of land and 12 of water; rateable value, £3,830; the population in 1901 was 629.

National School (mixed), built in 1866, for 160 children; average attendance, 98.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Northlew

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Black Torrington Hundred
1Smale461:174.81%87
2Glass371:2123.42%758
3Down311:252.71%58
3Friend311:254.93%163
5Curtis271:284.95%196
6Evely231:3333.33%1,545
7Martin221:350.83%8
7Adams221:351.34%29
9Blatchford201:385.22%292
10Wooldridge191:4022.62%1,316
11Voaden141:5412.50%1,026
11Shobbrook141:5413.86%1,118
13Gay131:593.95%342
13Worden131:5910.57%949
13Breyley131:5992.86%4,290
16Wood121:640.81%35
16Maynard121:646.15%612
16Medland121:643.82%358
16Shellabear121:6460.00%3,438
20Andrew111:693.87%410
20Dennis111:692.01%194
22Vallance101:768.06%942
22Horrell101:766.37%762
22Dufty101:7617.86%1,758
25May91:850.66%39
25Harry91:855.06%679
25Brooking91:852.54%317
25Gloyn91:855.14%691
25Heggadon91:8531.03%2,729
30Northcott81:951.00%113
30Gratton81:959.41%1,298
30Littlejohns81:953.46%507
30Bater81:954.94%739
34Hill71:1090.21%5
34Hicks71:1091.26%189
34Goddard71:1094.93%828
34Coles71:1090.77%95
34Hutchings71:1090.57%51
34Westlake71:1090.90%116
34Lobb71:1095.15%868
34Bickle71:1091.90%300
42Crocker61:1270.54%64
42Squire61:1270.67%99
42Moyse61:1275.56%1,058
42Pellow61:1274.48%884
42Ellacott61:1273.45%696
42Gratten61:12760.00%5,368
48Cooper51:1521.14%253
48Jordan51:1521.02%222
48Kimber51:15214.29%2,460
48Burridge51:1521.33%294
48Curtice51:1524.39%1,015
48Lashbrook51:1525.32%1,195
48Tom51:15231.25%3,944
48Speare51:1528.77%1,743
48Dreadon51:15262.50%6,268
57Mills41:1910.49%108
57Sanders41:1910.20%14
57England41:1911.61%468
57Bright41:1910.81%218
57Worth41:1910.97%266
57Muirhead41:19157.14%6,891
57Cowles41:1919.52%2,174
57Pincombe41:1914.55%1,262
57Trounson41:19126.67%4,095
66Baker31:2540.10%6
66Webber31:2540.12%10
66Northam31:2541.32%516
66Hunkin31:2546.12%1,932
66Chowins31:25425.00%4,730
66Jodan31:254100.00%11,450
72Davis21:3810.15%41
72Bowden21:3810.11%19
72Brock21:3810.48%260
72Passmore21:3810.31%155
76Allen11:7620.11%102
76Gill11:7620.10%75
76Warren11:7620.07%38
76Tucker11:7620.03%3
76Kent11:7620.48%575
76Harwood11:7620.85%981
76Partridge11:7620.14%135
76Horn11:7620.21%233
76Guest11:7620.49%587
76Haywood11:7620.72%843
76Squires11:7620.28%310
76Quick11:7620.13%117
76Sweet11:7620.55%663
76Cummins11:7621.64%1,675
76Rundle11:7620.21%224
76Steed11:7621.32%1,427
76Tickle11:7621.33%1,447
76Jordon11:7621.18%1,298
76Hacker11:7622.44%2,214
76Vanstone11:7620.17%172
76Hucker11:7621.89%1,816
76Hatherley11:7620.76%903
76Sobey11:7620.93%1,066
76Balkwill11:7620.57%685
76Glanvill11:7622.44%2,214
76Woolland11:7621.15%1,272
76Trebble11:7622.78%2,423
76Buse11:7621.49%1,576
76Tribble11:7621.04%1,172
76Smallcombe11:76216.67%7,664
76Badge11:7622.63%2,338
76Woollcombe11:7622.70%2,375
76Stanlick11:76211.11%5,765
76Collihole11:7626.25%3,944
76Daring11:76216.67%7,664