Holwell Genealogical Records

Holwell 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.

Holwell Baptism Records (1813-1889)

Baptisms records for children living in and around Holwell, detail the names of their parents - their occupations and residence from 1813 to 1889.

Holwell Baptism Records (1650-1812)

Records of baptism for people born in and around Holwell between 1650 and 1812. Details include child's name, parents' names and date of birth and/or baptism. Records may also include parent's occupations, residence, place of origin and more.

Holwell Baptism Registers (1726-1819)

Records of baptism for people born in and around Holwell between 1726 and 1819. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

Early Somerset Baptism Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of 255 parish baptism registers. They list children, their parents' names, residences, occupations and sometimes other details.

Holwell 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.

Holwell Marriage Records (1813-1929)

Details on those who married at Holwell between 1813 and 1929. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Holwell Marriage Records (1650-1812)

Marriage records from people who married at Holwell between 1650 and 1812. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.

Holwell Marriage Registers (1655-1873)

Marriage registers record Anglican marriages in Holwell. They are the primary marriage document before 1837 and contain the same details as marriage certificates from then on.

Holwell Marriage (1837-1937)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1837 and 1937.

Holwell 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.

Holwell Burial Records (1813-1979)

Burial registers record burials that occurred at Holwell. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present.

Holwell Burial Records (1650-1812)

Records of burial for people buried at Holwell between 1650 and 1812. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Holwell Burial Registers (1813-1837)

Records of burial for people buried at Holwell between 1813 and 1837. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age.

Holwell Monumental Inscriptions (1607-2001)

An index to vital details from monuments found at the church.

Holwell 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.

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Somerset Electoral Registers (1832-1914)

Digital images of books the list people eligible to vote in Somerset. Includes addresses and nature of that address.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

Newspapers Covering Holwell

Sherborne Mercury (1770-1867)

Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Weekly Mail (1879-1910)

A weekly newspaper that circulated through Wales and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. It published general news, literature, commentary, family notices, adverts etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Western Daily Press (1858-1949)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Somerset County Gazette (1839-1867)

Fully text-searchable articles from a regional newspaper covering the Somerset district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Somerset Newspaper Indices (1726-1856)

A name index to articles in a number of early Somerset newspapers. Includes BMDs, obituaries, bankruptcies, crimes etc.

Holwell 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.

Early Gloucestershire Probate Index (1540-1660)

An index to Gloucestershire wills from Bristol and Gloucester Diocese.

Somerset Medieval Will Abstracts (1385-1558)

Summaries of 1,616 wills that may detail family relationships, land ownership and other details.

Archdeaconry of Taunton Wills & Administrations (1537-1799)

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

Holwell Immigration & Travel Records

Dorset Vagrant Passes (1739-1791)

An index linked to original images of documents for vagrants. These records were draw up for poor people who moved to parishes where their presence was unwanted. They contain much genealogical information.

Dorset Convict Transportation Records (1724-1791)

Indentures and other records that recorded the transportation of Dorset men and women to the colonies.

Dorchester Company Emigrants (1623-1628)

Details of individuals who left Dorset for New England.

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.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Holwell Military Records

Memorial Book of Somerset (1914-1919)

An index to almost 11,000 men connected with Somerset who died during WWI.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

2nd Somersetshire Regiment History (1801-1815)

A history of the regiment in the run-up to and during the Napoleonic Wars.

Somerset WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Somerset WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Somerset Inquests (1790-1825)

Transcripts of a large number of records detailing investigations into deaths.

Dorchester Prison Documents (1782-1901)

Over 60,000 documents relating to prisoners held at Dorchester Prison. The collection includes admission and discharge books and photographs of the latter prisoners.

Dorset Alehouse Licences & Recognizances (1754-1821)

Documents relating to the licensing of alehouses. Contains details on the proprietor, establishment and conditions of the licence.

Dorset Vestry, Poor and other Parish Records (1640-1932)

Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.

Dorset Quarter Sessions Records (1625-1905)

The records document Quarter Session judges’ decisions in matters that include settlement inquiries, highway rates, criminal trials, registers of settlement, orders of removal, bastardy examinations, apprenticeships, licensing, contracts, lists of justices, and other matters related to the business of running the county.

Holwell Taxation Records

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

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

Dorset Land Tax (1780-1832)

Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.

Dorset Hearth Tax Assessments (1662-1664)

Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.

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.

Holwell Land & Property Records

Dorset Electoral Registers (1839-1922)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

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

Dorset Land Tax (1780-1832)

Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.

Dorset Poll Book (1807)

A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.

Dorset Absent Voters (1918-1919)

A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.

Holwell Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1939)

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 Somerset (1935)

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 Somerset (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 Somerset (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 Somerset (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.

Holwell Cemeteries

Holwell Monumental Inscriptions (1607-2001)

An index to vital details from monuments found at the church.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1600-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on over 100,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Dorset Monumental Inscriptions (1200-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on gravestones and other monuments across the county of Dorset.

Dorset Monumental Inscriptions Index (1020-2007)

An index to inscriptions found on 56,608 gravestones and monuments in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.

Holwell 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.

Holwell Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

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

Somerset Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Somerset.

Somerset Turnpikes (1707-Present)

A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Somerset. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.

Bristol Channel Shipping Accidents (1705-1981)

A large collection of un-sourced accounts of ships that ran afoul in the Bristol Channel.

Somerset Windmills (1998-Present)

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

Holwell 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.

Holwell Occupation & Business Records

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Somerset Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Somerset pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

West Country Police in Glamorgan (1839-1901)

An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Holwell

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

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

Victoria County History: Dorset (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.

Holwell Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

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

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Victoria County History: Dorset (1086-1900)

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

Dorset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Holwell Church Records

Holwell Parish Registers (1650-1979)

The parish registers of Holwell are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Holwell Parish Registers (1655-1873)

The parish registers of Holwell are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Somerset Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1956)

Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1582-2005)

An index to vital details engraved on over 25,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Biographical Directories Covering Holwell

Somerset Worthies, Unworthies & Villains (1500-1900)

Brief biographies of thousands of notable Somerset men.

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.

Holwell Maps

Maps of Somerset (1607-1902)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

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

Maps of Dorset (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.

Holwell 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

HOLWELL is a parish and village, 6 miles south-east from Sherborne station on the London and Southwestern railway, and 6 west-south-west from Sturminster Newton station, on the Midland and South Western Junction railway, and 11 south-east from Yeovil, in the Northern division of the county, Brownshall hundred, Sherborne petty sessional division and union, county court district of Yeovil, rural deanery of Shaftesbury (Stalbridge portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. A small stream flows through the northern portion of the parish, which was formerly a detached part of Somersetshire, but in October, 1844, it became part of Dorset, under the Act 7 and 8 Victoria, c. 61. The church of St. Lawrence, restored in 1885, at a cost of about £1,400, raised by subscriptions, is a stone building, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, south porch and square embattled western tower with pinnacles and containing 5 bells: there are 300 sittings. The register dates from the year 1653. The living is a rectory, commuted tithe rent-charge £463, average £334, net income £115, with 47 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Queen’s College, Oxford, and held since 1890 by the Rev. William Edward Long M.A. of Queen’s College, Oxford. John Kenelm Digby Wingfield-Digby esq. M.P. and Mrs. Warry are chief landowners. The soil is Oxford clay; subsoil, clay and sand. The land is chiefly in pasture. The area is 2,423 acres; rateable value, £3,836; the population in 1891 was 377.

Higher and Lower Buckshawe form a hamlet one mile south-west; Crouch Hill, one mile south; Wood Bridge, 2 miles north-east.

Parochial School (mixed), built in 1874, for 80 children; average attendance, 47.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Holwell

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Brownshall Hundred
1Barter271:1514.36%220
2Jeans181:236.27%126
3English141:3017.28%511
4Rogers131:323.00%59
4Antell131:3224.53%727
6Ridout121:352.78%61
7White111:380.57%1
7Young111:381.92%31
7Bartlett111:380.87%4
7Drake111:383.13%92
7Gawler111:3822.45%779
7Cabell111:3852.38%1,363
13Phillips101:422.18%53
14Gray91:461.86%49
14Fox91:463.19%131
14Mullett91:466.57%302
14Cadie91:4681.82%2,038
18King81:521.02%11
18Coffin81:526.90%361
18Eyers81:529.41%494
21Davis71:600.86%9
21Miller71:600.84%8
21Ross71:609.59%560
21Dyke71:605.79%336
21Downton71:603.78%224
26Mitchell61:701.07%34
26Andrews61:700.90%23
26Coombs61:701.19%46
26Crocker61:701.71%93
26Hann61:701.72%94
26Gillingham61:701.63%81
26Trim61:702.34%150
33Taylor51:830.70%15
33Edwards51:831.31%77
33Swain51:8314.29%981
33Walden51:836.10%506
33Ponting51:8350.00%2,156
38Parsons41:1040.59%21
38Miles41:1041.09%83
38Hurst41:1045.26%545
41Wood31:1391.91%263
41Lawrence31:1391.20%155
41Mead31:1392.50%344
41Batten31:1395.17%672
41Old31:1392.00%276
41Abercrombie31:13960.00%3,470
41Frizzle31:13916.67%1,491
41Chaffy31:13975.00%3,917
49Burton21:2092.22%470
49Hardy21:2090.55%84
49Strange21:2091.32%272
49Mogg21:2093.03%606
49Popham21:20940.00%3,470
49Chaffey21:2091.23%254
49Perris21:2093.45%672
49Shiner21:2092.11%452
49Littlehales21:209100.00%5,091
49Noke21:209100.00%5,091
59Smith11:4170.06%2
59Williams11:4170.16%26
59Brown11:4170.07%3
59Palmer11:4170.25%70
59Whittaker11:4175.26%1,451
59Stokes11:4170.59%246
59Goddard11:4170.44%177
59Sims11:4170.36%134
59Best11:4170.35%126
59Woolley11:41750.00%5,091
59Sargent11:4170.68%279
59House11:4170.18%33
59Styles11:4171.72%672
59Hine11:4171.06%458
59Hodder11:4170.33%119
59Stickland11:4170.19%40
59Hellier11:4170.67%277
59Elsworth11:4170.50%203
59Purchase11:4170.94%400
59Warry11:4173.45%1,118
59Woodsford11:4171.16%487
59Melmoth11:4171.85%716
59Leathwood11:417100.00%6,158
59Shittler11:41716.67%3,092