Altham Genealogical Records

Altham 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.

Lancashire Baptism Index with Images (1813-1911)

A name index connected to original images of Lancashire baptism registers for over 175 parishes.

Lancashire Baptisms (1538-1812)

Digital images of baptism registers that can be searched by name. They record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth, and list the baptised's name, date of birth and/or baptism and parents' names. They may also list where the parents lived, their occupations and occasionally other details.

Lancashire Baptisms (1538-1812)

Digital images of baptism registers that can be searched by name. They record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth, and list the baptised's name, date of birth and/or baptism and parents' names. They may also list where the parents lived, their occupations and occasionally other details.

Lancashire Birth Index (1837-1975)

An index to births registered in Lancashire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Altham 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.

Altham Marriage Index (1598-1695)

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

Lancashire Marriage Index with Images (1754-1936)

A name index connected to original images of Lancashire marriage registers for over 175 parishes.

Lancashire Marriages (1538-1812)

Digital images of marriage registers that can be searched by name. They contain written records of marriages and typically record the name of the bride and groom and date of marriage. They may also record occupations, residences, fathers' names, witnesses and other information about the marriage.

Lancashire Marriages (1538-1812)

Digital images of marriage registers that can be searched by name. They contain written records of marriages and typically record the name of the bride and groom and date of marriage. They may also record occupations, residences, fathers' names, witnesses and other information about the marriage.

Altham 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.

Lancashire Burial Index with Images (1813-1986)

A name index connected to original images of Lancashire burial registers for over 100 parishes.

Lancashire Burials (1538-1812)

Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.

Lancashire Burials (1538-1812)

Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.

Lancashire Death Index (1837-1975)

An index to deaths registered in Lancashire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Altham 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.

Lancashire Lay Subsidy (1332)

A tax list of wealthier Lancashire residents.

Lancashire Lay Subsidies (1216-1307)

Two lay subsidies from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Lancashire Chartist Land Plan (1842-1848)

A history of the Chartist Cooperative Land Society, which aimed to settle chartists on smallholdings. Also includes a list of over 5,000 chartist sympathizers in Lancashire.

Newspapers Covering Altham

The Burnley News (1913-1932)

An illustrated, liberal newspaper covering the Burnley area.

Burnley News (1912-1932)

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

Burnley Express (1877-1904)

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

Bolton Evening News (1869)

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

Burnley Gazette (1863-1875)

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

Altham 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.

York Peculiar Probate Records (1383-1883)

Digital images, indexed by testor's name, of 28,716 wills, administrations, inventories and other probate documents. The records can shed light on an individual’s relations, possessions, land holdings, legal agreements and more. They cover various jurisdictions throughout the north of England.

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1688-1858)

An index to 263,822 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, year of probate, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

Lancashire Wills Proved At Richmond (1457-1812)

An index to 38,107 wills, searchable by name and including the testor's residence and occupation. The wills are from the records of Amounderness, Furness, Kendal and Lonsdale deaneries, within the Archdeaconry of Richmond.

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1267-1500)

An index to 10,195 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, occupation, will & probate year, language, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

Altham Immigration & Travel Records

Lancashire Vagrant Passes (1801-1835)

Records of around 40,000 people and their families who were forcibly moved from one parish to another. Contains many Irish individuals.

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.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

Altham Military Records

The Story of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division (1914-1918)

A history of a Lancashire division's WWI campaigns.

The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division (1914-1918)

A record of the division's movements in WWI.

Roll of Officers of the York and Lancaster Regiment (1756-1884)

Lists of officers by rank, regiment and name.

Old County Regiment of Lancashire Militia History (1689-1888)

A general history of the militia, including lists of officers from various periods.

Lancashire Militia Roll of Officers (1642-1889)

Brief biographies of Officers of the Lancashire Militia, includes date of birth, appointments, promotions and other details.

Manchester Prison Registers (1847-1881)

A name index linked to original images of over 250,000 Manchester prison records. Records contain details on the convict's birth, appearance, crime and more.

Lancashire Quarter Session Records & Petitions (1648-1908)

An index to and images of books dealing with legal matters and administration in the county. They cover legal decisions, costs of prosecution, filiation and maintenance orders, settlement orders, removal orders, transportation orders, sentences passed on criminals, setting highway rates, appointing officials and presentments for repairs to roads and bridges, poor relief, settlement, licences for various trades and more.

Lancashire Final Concords (1189-1558)

Abstracts of records that detail land conveyances.

Lancashire Assize Rolls (1176-1268)

Early legal records, largely covering serious cases refereed by lower courts. Many entries record transfers and disputes relating to land.

Lancashire Inquisitions post Mortem (1606-1625)

Transcripts of records created on the death of a direct tenant of the monarch to asses their Lancashire land-holdings. Contains much useful genealogical information.

Altham Taxation Records

Lancashire Lay Subsidy (1332)

A tax list of wealthier Lancashire residents.

Lancashire Lay Subsidies (1216-1307)

Two lay subsidies from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

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.

Altham Land & Property Records

Lancashire Final Concords (1189-1558)

Abstracts of records that detail land conveyances.

Lancashire Assize Rolls (1176-1268)

Early legal records, largely covering serious cases refereed by lower courts. Many entries record transfers and disputes relating to land.

Lancashire Inquisitions post Mortem (1606-1625)

Transcripts of records created on the death of a direct tenant of the monarch to asses their Lancashire land-holdings. Contains much useful genealogical information.

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

A Calendar of the Norris Deeds (1100-1499)

Deeds from the Norris family of Speak.

Altham Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Lancashire (1924)

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.

Bulmer's Lancashire and District Directory (1912)

Historical & topographical descriptions of Lancashire, supplemented with lists of the area's leading private, commercial and official persons.

Kelly's Directory of Lancashire (1905)

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 Lancashire (1895)

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.

County Book of Lancashire & Official List (1875)

A book listing every official person in the county: nobility, politicians, clergy, lieutenants, sheriffs, magistrates and coroners. It also includes details of settlements.

Altham Cemeteries

Lancashire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Lancashire'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.

Altham 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.

Altham Histories & Books

Lancashire & Cheshire History and Genealogy (1110-1879)

Extracts from a vast array of historical documents giving details on thousands of individuals connected to the history of Lancashire.

Victoria County History: Lancashire (1086-1900)

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

Lancashire and Cheshire, Past and Present (370-1867)

A history of two Northern counties from the Germanic invasion to the Victorian period.

Lancashire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Lancashire.

Lancashire Chartist Land Plan (1842-1848)

A history of the Chartist Cooperative Land Society, which aimed to settle chartists on smallholdings. Also includes a list of over 5,000 chartist sympathizers in Lancashire.

Altham 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.

Altham Occupation & Business Records

Prestwich Asylum Admissions (1851-1901)

Abstracts of over 20,000 admissions to an insane asylum.

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.

Lancashire Coal Mining (1853-1968)

Articles on coal mining in Lancashire, including details of disasters and a list of mines.

Lancashire Police Officers (1840-1925)

An index to police officers mentioned in records held by Lancashire record Office.

History of Policing in Lancashire (600-1990)

A brief history of policing in the county from Saxon times. Includes extensive details on police uniforms.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Altham

Victoria County History: Lancashire (1086-1900)

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

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

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

Altham Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Lancashire (1086-1900)

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

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

Lancashire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Lancashire'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.

Altham Church Records

Lancashire Parish Register Index with Images (1538-1812)

A name index connected to original images of Lancashire parish registers for over 60 parishes.

Lancashire Parish Registers (1538-1910)

An index of close to 1 million baptism, marriage and burial registers extracted from records of the Church of England.

Lancashire Parish Register Transcripts (1537-1934)

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.

Lancashire CoE Confirmation Records (1856-1922)

Confirmations are Church of England ceremonies conducted by Bishops that affirm one's commitment to the doctrines of the church. These records contain the names of those confirmed, their age, date of baptism & confirmation, address and sometimes other details. The records are indexed by name and connected to images of the original registers.

Register of Lancashire Papists (1717-1788)

Registers of those in Lancashire known to be loyal to the church in Rome. Contains genealogical information.

Biographical Directories Covering Altham

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

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

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

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

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Altham Maps

Maps of Lancashire (1579-1922)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Altham 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

ALTHAM is a township, in the parish of Whalley, 3 miles north from Accrington, 6 west from Burnley, on the high road from the latter town to Blackburn, in the Accrington division of the county, higher division of Blackburn hundred, Church petty sessional division and Burnley union and county court district, rural deanery of Whalley, archdeaconry of Blackburn, diocese of Manchester. The river Calder forms the northern boundary of the township. The church of Si James, originally erected about 1140, is an edifice in the Early English and Decorated styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and a western tower containing one bell; the tower was erected, the chancel rebuilt and the nave and aisles restored in 1859: the stained east window is a memorial to J. Hacking, inventor of the carding engine; and there are brasses to John Cunliffe, of Woodhead, 1638, James Walmsley, of Rough Hey, 1761, and to one of the Cheetham family, of Manchester. The stained window in the south-east aisle is a memorial to the late Rev. John Adamson, 19 years incumbent of this church. In 1893 two stained windows were placed in the south aisle as a memorial to the late Rev. William Sharp, who was 44 years vicar of this parish. There are 430 sittings, 200 being free. The registers, which are the oldest in existence, and in good condition, date from the year 1518. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £205, including 40 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of Wm. Hallam esq, , and held since 1896 by the Rev. Walter Herbert Gree B.A., LL.B, of the University of London. Here are collieries worked by the Altham Colliery Company Limited, and also brick works and stone quarries. Altham Hall, once a fortified place is now a farmhouse. The representatives of the late R. F. R. Walton esq. are lords of the manor and landowners. The soil is heavy; subsoil, clay. The land is chiefly in pasture. The area is 1,412 acres of land and 26 of water; rateable value, £9,177; in 1901 the population was 785.

Public Elementary School (mixed), built in 1818, at a cost of £700 including residence for the master, for 120 children; average attendance, 62; it is endowed with £30 yearly, left by the Walton family in ,1849.

Kelly's Directory of Lancashire (1905)

Most Common Surnames in Altham

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Blackburn Hundred
1Metcalf391:103.23%528
2Pilkington241:160.58%125
3Haworth171:230.29%70
4Bracewell151:262.17%899
5Cronshaw121:331.66%860
6Walmsley111:360.24%105
6Threlfall111:360.89%520
8Hope101:400.52%329
8Pickup101:400.30%184
10Moore81:490.14%72
10Clegg81:490.13%64
10Hacking81:490.61%487
10Rawcliffe81:490.85%681
14Walton71:560.18%144
14Dean71:560.16%116
14Bradshaw71:560.15%104
14Whitaker71:560.42%389
14Lancaster71:560.37%338
14Fielding71:560.19%151
14Ellison71:560.28%245
14Moorhouse71:560.81%727
14Marsland71:561.16%993
23Yates61:660.07%27
23Bolton61:660.15%131
23Cockburn61:664.38%2,881
23Farnworth61:660.43%457
27Smith51:790.01%1
27Campbell51:790.15%172
27Gibson51:790.14%170
27Briggs51:790.18%227
27Ingham51:790.15%175
27Walls51:790.92%1,078
27Maudsley51:790.77%937
27Dodding51:798.33%4,779
35Waddington41:990.22%347
35Billington41:990.29%463
37Robinson31:1320.02%7
37Bishop31:1320.58%1,134
37Hartley31:1320.04%42
37Barber31:1320.18%400
37Heaton31:1320.08%154
37Holgate31:1320.30%647
37Frankland31:1320.42%867
37Ramsbottom31:1320.19%414
37Bulcock31:1320.72%1,333
37Croasdale31:1320.68%1,262
37Hartely31:13233.33%17,052
48Wilkinson21:1980.02%24
48Graham21:1980.06%162
48Pearson21:1980.04%91
48Sharp21:1980.12%380
48Hallam21:1980.35%1,038
48Rendell21:1985.88%6,827
48Cownley21:19850.00%32,689
48Hanworth21:19822.22%17,052
56Mitchell11:3950.02%110
56Simpson11:3950.02%62
56Barker11:3950.02%94
56Riley11:3950.01%30
56Whitehead11:3950.01%44
56Curtis11:3950.17%1,022
56Walsh11:3950.01%32
56Howarth11:3950.01%20
56Hargreaves11:3950.01%38
56John11:3950.89%3,256
56Wall11:3950.11%723
56Dyson11:3950.05%311
56Pringle11:3950.70%2,803
56Laycock11:3950.13%815
56Isherwood11:3950.03%208
56Crawshaw11:3950.13%809
56Darlington11:3950.17%992
56Bentham11:3950.14%838
56Harden11:3951.56%4,574
56Boocock11:3950.57%2,449
56Carman11:3951.96%5,319
56Sefton11:3950.19%1,098
56Loud11:3953.33%7,351
56Rothera11:3957.69%13,087
56Walne11:3950.83%3,143
56Rowand11:39514.29%21,041
56Kingon11:39550.00%44,227