Woking Genealogical Records

Woking 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.

Old Woking, St Peter, Woking Baptism Records (1906-1912)

Baptism records from people born in and around Woking between 1906 and 1912. Lists the name of people's parent's, their occupations and abode.

St John the Baptist, Woking Baptism Records (1902-1912)

Baptism records from people born in and around Woking between 1902 and 1912. Lists the name of people's parent's, their occupations and abode.

St Paul, Woking Baptism Records (1894-1912)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Christ Church, Woking Baptism Records (1877-1912)

Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around Christ Church, Woking and were subsequently baptised in an Anglican place of worship. They are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present.

Woking 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.

Old Woking, St Peter, Woking Marriage Records (1924-1937)

Details on those who married at Old Woking, St Peter, Woking between 1924 and 1937. Information given usually includes abode and marital status. After April 1837 father's names and ages are recorded.

Sutton Green All Souls, Woking Marriage Records (1924-1937)

Marriage registers are the primary source for marital documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They typically the record marital status and residence of the bride and groom.

St Paul, Woking Marriage Records (1902-1937)

The Marriage registers of St Paul, Woking, document marriages 1902 to 1937. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status and residence.

Christ Church, Woking Marriage Records (1893-1937)

Name index linked to original images of the marriage registers of Christ Church, Woking. Records document marriages from 1893 to 1937. Details may include a party's age, residence, martial status, father's name and signature.

Woking 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.

St John the Baptist, Woking Burial Records (1842-1846)

Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of St John the Baptist, Woking. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age and residence. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

St John, Woking Burial Records (1842-1981)

Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of St John, Woking. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age residence and more.

Woking Burial Records (1838-1839)

Records of burial for people buried at Woking between 1838 and 1839. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

St Peter, Woking Burial Records (1813-1932)

Records of burial for people buried at St Peter, Woking between 1813 and 1932. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age.

Woking 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.

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Surrey Hearth Tax (1664)

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

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Newspapers Covering Woking

Windsor and Eton Express (1812-1846)

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

Reading Mercury (1770-1903)

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

Surrey Mirror (1880-1950)

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

The Surrey Comet, and General Advertiser (1879)

An affluent newspaper containing civil and legal notices, local news, obituaries, family announcements etc.

Surrey Archaeological Collections (1858-2011)

A journal containing several thousand articles on all manner of structures and antiquities in the county.

Woking Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Archdeaconry Court of Surrey Wills & Probate (1660-1858)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Archdeaconry Court of Surrey. These records can help trace families back to the 17th century.

Surrey+ Will Transcripts (1540-1858)

Transcripts of wills, predominately from Surrey, but also other counties in the south east. Names of 10,000s of people occurring in these wills have been indexed.

Bishop's Commissary of Winchester Wills & Probate (1507-1858)

A searchable index connected to images surviving wills and probate documents for the Commissary Court of Bishop of Winchester. These records can help trace families back to the late 15th century.

Surrey & South London Will Abstracts (1470-1856)

Summaries of names mentioned in around 29,000 wills, including relatives and witnesses.

Woking Immigration & Travel Records

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.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Woking Military Records

Surrey Recruitment Registers (1908-1933)

Transcriptions of 85,000 attestation documents for men who signed up for military service in Surrey. Records contain details on a conscripts age, place of birth, occupation, physical description and more.

Surrey WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Surrey WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

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

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

Surrey Electoral Registers (1832-1945)

An index to and images of registers that list the name, address and voting qualification of those registered to vote. Contains around 14.5 million entries.

Surrey Calendar of Prisoners (1848-1902)

An index to and images of calendars of prisoners presented before Quarter Sessions and Assize. They may list name, age, occupation, name of accuser, crime accused, trial date, warrant date verdict, sentence and more.

Surrey Quarter Sessions (1780-1820)

An index to 10,000s of names linked to summaries of legal proceedings relating to crimes, licencing, local administration and more.

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Surrey Licensed Victuallers (1785-1903)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording public houses that were licenced to operate.

Woking Taxation Records

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Surrey Hearth Tax (1664)

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

Income Tax Payments (1799-1802)

The details of income taxes paid by several thousand individuals and institutions in Surrey and Middlesex.

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.

Woking Land & Property Records

Surrey Land Tax Records (1780-1832)

An index to almost 2 million names, connected to digital images of registers recording land ownership and occupation. They list the names of owners and occupiers, details of tax assessments and sometimes a description of the property.

Jury-Qualified Freeholders & Copyholders in Surrey (1696-1824)

Lists containing over 200,000 names of men who were eligible to serve as jurors based on land possession. Digital images of the records may provide details on residence and occupation; names can be searched by an index.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

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

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Woking Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1918)

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 Surrey (1913)

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 Surrey (1911)

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 Surrey (1891)

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.

Post Office Directory of Surrey (1878)

Place-by-place listings of private and commercial residents, supplemented with descriptions of the settlement.

Woking Cemeteries

Surrey Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Surrey'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.

Woking 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.

Woking Histories & Books

Surrey Archaeological Collections (1858-2011)

A journal containing several thousand articles on all manner of structures and antiquities in the county.

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

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

A Topographical History of Surrey (0-1850)

A sprawling historical work, describing the county and its settlements. It contains around 1.2 million words across five volumes.

The County Churches of Surrey (1910)

A dictionary of churches in the county, with particular attention paid to architecture.

Ideal Homes (900-2000)

Histories of south-east London suburbs, supplemented with maps and photographs.

Woking School & Education Records

St Saviour's Grammar School Admissions (1690-1895)

Details of 3,600 students of a grammar school in Southwark, Surrey; now part of London. Entries include name, year of birth, birth order, date of admission, parents' names, address and a reference to original 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.

Woking Occupation & Business Records

Surrey Licensed Victuallers (1785-1903)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording public houses that were licenced to operate.

Surrey & London Livery Company Oath Rolls (1695-1696)

A list containing the names of almost 33,000 tradesmen who swore an oath to King William, of Orange.

South England Mines Index (1896)

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

Lost Pubs of Surrey (1750-Present)

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

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Woking

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

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

Pedigrees of Surrey Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Surrey's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

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.

Woking Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Surrey (1086-1900)

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

Pedigrees of Surrey Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Surrey's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

The Visitation of Surrey: 1662-68 (1000-1668)

Pedigrees compiled from a mid 17th century heraldic visitation of Surrey. This work records the lineage, descendants and marriages of families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Surrey Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Surrey'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.

Woking Church Records

Woking Parish Registers (1717-1813)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Woking. Parish registers can assist tracing a family as far back as 1717.

Woking Parish Registers (1673-1812)

The parish registers of Woking are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1673 to 1812.

Surrey Parish Register Index with Images (1538-1812)

An index connected to original images of over 100 early Surrey parish registers. Also includes over 100 registers from Middlesex, Essex and Kent.

Surrey Parish Registers (1533-1812)

The parish registers of Surrey are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1533 and 1812. Parish registers can assist tracing a family as far back as 1533.

The County Churches of Surrey (1910)

A dictionary of churches in the county, with particular attention paid to architecture.

Biographical Directories Covering Woking

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.

Woking Maps

Surrey Ordnance Survey Maps (2011-Present)

Extremely detailed maps, charting features from roads to drains. Includes property boundaries.

Trigonometrical Map of Surrey (1874)

A map plotting settlements, roads, railways and parks.

Surrey Parish Map (1837)

A map delineating the boundaries of the counties parishes, areas designated by the church of England.

Roque's Map of Surrey (1768)

A very detailed map of the county, which charts features down to individual fields.

Maps of Surrey (1582-1899)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

Woking 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

Woking, pleasantly situated on the river Wey; it lies half way between Guildford and Weybridge, and gives name to a hundred. This town is so much out of the way, that it is but little known or frequented. It was the last retreat of the old Countess of Richmond, mother to Henry VII., where the king, her son, repaired an old royal house, on purpose for her residence, and where she ended her days in honour and peace; the former part of her life having been spent in trouble and anxiety. It is remarked that the residences of this lady are more particularly pointed out than any other.

The church is a Gothic structure. The neat market-house was built in 1665, by James Zouch, Esq. a benevolent gentleman, who resided in the town.

Sutton Place is in the parish of Woking, and lies only four miles from Guildford. It is a noble manor-house, built of brick, with a stately gatehouse and high tower, having at each angle a turret. The window-monldings within the house, and quoins of the walls, are all of baked white clay, which is as perfect as when first set up in the reign of Henry VIII.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

WOKING is a town and parish situated on the river Wey, 25 ¼ miles from London, 6 north from Guildford, 14 ½ south-west from Kingston, giving its name to the hundred, in the North Western division of the county, Guildford petty sessional division and union, Guildford and Godalming county court district, rural deanery of Woking, archdeaconry of Surrey, and diocese of Winchester. The South Western railway runs through this parish and has a junction station about a mile from the town, whence the line through Guildford and Godalming to Portsmouth diverges; there is also a station at Brookwood, the western extremity of the parish. The Basingstoke canal passes through the parish. The town is supplied with water by the Woking Water Company Limited, from works erected in 1882 at Clandon Downs at a cost of about £40,000; the Woking Electric Supply Company are now (1890) erecting works from which it is proposed to light the town. The church of St. Peter, founded in the early part of the 12th century, is an ancient structure in the Early English and later styles, with some portions of the original Norman fabric, and consists of chancel, nave of three bays, south aisle, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells: the west and north walls of the nave and some part of the east end are Norman: the chancel dates from the early 13th century and the tower chiefly from the 14th century: the arcades were reconstructed and the chancel arch enlarged in the 15th century: the pulpit is probably Jacobean: in the chancel is a mural monument to Sir John Zouch, ob. 1630, and some brasses, one of 1533: the font was presented to the church in 1880 by the Rev. C.W. Arnold M.A.: there are 420 sittings, 223 being free. In 1878 the church was partially restored at a cost of £800, and further restored in 1888 at a cost of £1,000, when the roof of the south aisle and the four windows in the north side of the church were renovated and the bells, the largest of which was recast, were rehung. The register dates from the year 1653. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £260, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Onslow and held since 1878 by the Rev. Frederick James Oliphant M.A. of New College, Oxford. St. John the Baptist’s is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1884: the church, situated near Goldsworth and Knapp Hill, and consecrated in 1842 as a chapel of ease to the parish church, is a building of ragstone with Bath stone facings, in the Early English style, and one of the earliest works of the late Sir Gilbert Scott R.A.: it consists of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles and north porch: the south aisle and vestry were added in 1879 at a cost of £1,000: the nave was lengthened and the north aisle added in 1883 at a cost of upwards of £2,000: there are 510 sittings, about half being free. The register dates from the year 1842. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £155, with residence, erected in 1853, in the gift of the vicar of Woking, and held since 1886 by the Rev. William Frederic Tucker Hamilton M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. Christ Church, erected and opened in 1839 at a cost of £4,500, is a building of red brick in the Early English style, and consists of chancel, nave and transepts, and has 600 sittings, of which 300 are free. Holy Trinity, Knapp Hill, an iron church, was erected and opened in 1885, and has 265 sittings. St. Barnabas, Maybury, also an iron church, erected and opened in 1888, will seat 150 persons. St. Edward’s Catholic Church, situated in Sutton park, was erected in 1876 by Capt. Francis Henry Salvin at a cost of £2,000, and has no sittings: it has four stained windows, the several gifts of Miss Emma Salvin, the late Marmaduke Salvin esq. Mr. Buckler, architect, and Mrs. Louise Witham. The Baptist chapel is an edifice of red brick erected in 1886 and has 600 sittings. The Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1883, is also of red brick and has sittings for 500 persons. The Primitive Methodist chapel, erected in 1863, has 150 sittings. The Gospel Hall, erected for the Brethren, seats 70 persons.

The London Necropolis (Woking Cemetery) adjoins the Brookwood station of the South Western railway, and is about 27 miles from London: in 1854 the Necropolis Company purchased 2,000 acres of Woking common, 400 of which have been inclosed, planted and laid out as a cemetery and is chiefly used as a metropolitan burial ground: the company have a private station in the Westminster Bridge road, from which special trains convey funeral parties to the Brookwood station, whence a branch line runs to the cemetery. The Woking Crematorium was erected in 1889, and consists of a chapel, waiting room and cremating chamber; the buildings are of red brick with Bath stone facings, in the Gothic style of the 13th century. The Sapoline manufactory of J. C. Sowerbutts and Co. situated near the station, has been transferred from Breaston, Derby, at which place it was carried on for many years by Messrs. Gard and Co. Here is also a paper mill, and there are several fine nursery grounds. The H Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, is stationed in the town.

The Oriental Institute, situated at Maybury, near the Woking station, occupies buildings erected originally for the “Royal Dramatic College,” opened as such by H.R.H, the Prince of Wales in 1865, but purchased in 1884, with its grounds, by Dr. G. W. Leitner, who has largely added to it, and it is intended to become a centre of Oriental learning and literature in England: the building is constructed of brick with stone dressings, in a light and elegant but simple variety of Gothic, and consists of a long central block with gabled wings, and annexes in the rear; it possesses a unique museum of Oriental archaeology and ethnography, a mosque for Mohammedans in this country and residences for Orientals of good family or high caste, who are desirous of keeping their religion or caste whilst in England, Critical journals in Sanscrit and Arabic are published here. The “Shahjehan” mosque, situate near the west end of the Institute building, and erected in 1889 from designs furnished from the “Art Arabe,”a rare work lent by the India Office Library, and from photographs of various mosques in India, Egypt and Turkey, is of Bath and Bargate stone in the Oriental style, with a species of stepped embattled parapet relieved by minarets at the angles, and a central dome surmounted by a gilt crescent: the mosque rises from a semicircular courtyard, covered with turf and screened by shrubs on a dwarf mound: a fine mosaic pavement leads to the “Meidaah” or reservoir in the middle of the front courtyard, where the ablutions of the faithful are performed; the floor of the interior of the mosque is covered by an exquisite mosaic pavement: the inner walls are thick and solid and the “Mihrab,” a niche in the wall facing Mecca, is not yet decorated: the general effect of the interior, with the light falling through the gold-coloured glass in the dome and the star-pattern windows at the sides is very pleasing; the “mimbar,” or pulpit, constructed of open lattice work has a gilt cupola rising above it, and is reached by a flight of steps, entered at the foot through an archway with gates; the “dekke,” or reader’s bench, is similar in material and design, but has the appearance of a couch, the sacred book being supported within a kind of raised desk at one end: the perforated carved wood with which both are adorned were collected by Dr. Leitner during a tour in Kashmir in 1886, and shawl-tapestry from the same province has been used in decorating the inner dome; the cost of the mosque was chiefly defrayed by a learned and pious Eastern Princess, whose name is now identified with the building. St. Bernard’s, a structure of red brick, pleasantly situated on the high road to Wey bridge and Chertsey, overlooking the valley of the Wey, is a preparatory school for the sons of gentlemen and professional men; the Rev. John Hewetson M.A. of Queen’s College, Oxford, is the master. Woking School is a preparatory school, and is conducted on the principles of the Church of England; the Rev. Francis Wilson M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, is the master. The Mayford Industrial School for destitute boys not convicted of crime, situated at Mayford, was established at Wandsworth in 1867, and removed to Byfleet corner in 1871, and again removed to its present site in August 1887: the total cost of the new building was about £15,000: the estate comprises about 27 acres, and in the school there are 180 boys, who are employed on the land and in tailoring, shoe making, carpentering and other useful occupations. The Surrey County Asylum for pauper lunatics at Brookwood, opened in 1867, is a structure of brick and includes a recreation and dining hall, and a water tower 120 feet high with tank 90 feet from the ground, containing 30,000 gallons, for use in case of fire only, and within the grounds is a chapel: the buildings occupy about 9 acres of land, the estate comprising about 225 acres: there are about 420 male and 630 female patients, about two-thirds of this number being usefully employed: entertainments of some kind are given once a week during the winter months. Her Majesty’s Male Convict Prison, situated upon the highest part of Knapp Hill, is a large structure of brick, designed for invalid convicts and has about 65 acres of ground attached. The Male Convict Prison, first occupied in 1859, is now (1890) closed and about to be handed over to the War Office: opposite is the Female Convict prison, a similar building, opened in 1869, in which 380 inmates are employed in various useful occupations, a great number being engaged in the manufacture of twine for the Post office. The charities of the parish amount to £32 yearly for bread, grocery and clothing. St. Peter’s Memorial Home, in connection with St. Peter’s Sisterhood, Kilburn, was erected at the cost of Mr. Benjamin Lancaster, founder of St. Peter’s, Kilburn, on a site given by Mr. Gibbs, and opened in 1885 by the Lord Bishop of Winchester, the object being to provide a home for such of the sick poor as are members of the Church of England and require nursing. On rising ground on the west side of the river, about a mile from the London road, stands the ancient mansion of Sutton place, built by Sir Richard Weston about the year 1550, and now occupied by Mrs. Harrison: it is a structure of red and yellow brick, the south-east front having a gallery in the first storey 141 feet in length, 20 in width and 14 in height: this house was visited by Queen Elizabeth. Hoe Place is the residence of Mrs. Wainwright and Whitmoor House that of Capt. Francis Henry Salvin. The principal landowners are the Earl of Onslow, who is lord of the manor, Capt. Francis Henry Salvin, the trustees of Major Ewing, Edward Joseph Halsey, Mrs. Wainwright, Hugh F. Locke King esq. George Wythes, Edward Ryde and George Smallpeice esqrs. Woking contains 8,804 acres of land and 85 of water; rateable value, £52,918; the population in 1871 was 6,587 and in 1881, 8,539, including 466 in the Female Convict Prison and 1,145 in the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum.

Westfield 2 ¼ south, Hook HiIl 1 ¼ south-west, Hoe Bridge 1 ¼ south-east, Knapp Hill 3 ¼ west, Brookwood 4 miles south-west, with a station on the South Western Railway, are other places. The distance mentioned in each case are from Wokinff station.

Places of Worship, with times of services

St. Peter’s church. Rev. F. J. Oliphant M.A. vicar; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Christ church, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Holy Trinity, Knapp Hill (iron), 6.30 p.m.

St. Barnabus church (iron), Maybury, 6.30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist church, Rev. W. F. T. Hamilton M.A. vicar; Rev. F. J. Lory, curate.

St. Edward’s Catholic, Rev. Charles Conway D.D, priest; 10.30 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Congregational, Cartbridge, Rev. William James Robins, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.

Baptist, Rev. Edward William Tarbox, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Brethren, 11 a.m. &6.30 p.m.; Monday, 7.30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Maybury; 2.30 & 6.30 p.m.; Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.

Wesleyan, Woking, Rev. Henry James Quilter; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Knapp Hill, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Board Schools: —

A School Board of 7 members was formed in 1874 5 G. H. White, Guildford, clerk to the board; John Peace, Westfield, attendance officer.

St. John’s (mixed & infants), erected in 1870 & enlarged in 1876, for 280; average attendance, boys & girls 170 & 75 infants.

Church Street (mixed), built in 1848, for 100; average attendance, 75.

Knapp Hill (mixed), erected in 1877 & enlarged in 1884, for 350; average attendance, 260.

Maybury (mixed & infants), erected in 1874 & enlarged in 1881 & 1886, for 700; average attendance, boys & girls 630.

Westfield (mixed), built in 1884 & enlarged 1881, for 190; average attendance, 150.

Mayford Industrial School (boys), erected in 1889, for 200 destitute boys; average number, 180.

Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1891)

Most Common Surnames in Woking

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Woking Hundred
1Smith1871:460.91%1
2Howard941:914.44%70
3Collyer901:9514.85%336
4Stevens771:1112.36%31
5Jackman621:13823.48%807
6Chapman611:1412.16%42
7Taylor591:1450.76%4
7Pullen591:1457.49%244
9Lee581:1482.07%43
10Williams531:1620.93%6
11Moore481:1791.37%24
11Lawrence481:1792.59%86
13Harris471:1831.00%14
13Gunner471:18313.86%624
15Carter451:1911.38%32
16Spooner421:2048.25%410
17Brown411:2090.47%2
17Hall411:2091.00%20
19Hill391:2201.02%21
19Collins391:2201.06%23
21West381:2261.53%55
22Turner371:2320.83%19
22Baker371:2320.71%9
24Knight361:2381.05%25
24Holdforth361:23894.74%4,735
26Bullen341:2527.44%459
27Bailey331:2601.34%57
27Burchett331:26023.40%1,483
29Jones321:2680.37%3
30Wilson311:2770.84%22
31White301:2860.45%5
31Edwards301:2860.65%17
31Martin301:2860.63%12
31Cooper301:2860.64%14
35Johnson291:2960.62%16
36Mitchell281:3060.99%41
36Cook281:3060.83%27
36Pearce281:3061.37%75
36Tickner281:3064.93%360
36Strudwick281:3067.37%562
41Millard271:3188.16%643
42Wells261:3301.14%64
42Hampton261:3305.95%485
44Robinson251:3430.74%28
44Green251:3430.55%18
44Clarke251:3430.94%47
47Walker241:3580.76%34
47Ball241:3581.90%132
47Stent241:35813.41%1,176
50Jelley231:37312.64%1,161
51Wright221:3900.47%13
51Harding221:3901.14%81
51Ledger221:3907.61%736
54Parker211:4090.80%50
54Wheeler211:4091.14%87
54Heath211:4091.93%160
57Davis201:4290.41%10
57Woods201:4291.47%121
57Dobson201:4294.93%530
57Bedford201:4295.13%551
57Sherlock201:4296.31%667
62Davies191:4520.89%69
62Evans191:4520.56%26
62Wood191:4520.40%11
62Thompson191:4520.58%29
62Hunt191:4520.71%46
62Rogers191:4520.79%58
62Percy191:4529.00%1,002
69Clark181:4770.33%7
69Reed181:4771.35%122
69Marsh181:4771.87%193
69Ansell181:4772.80%309
69Trussler181:47712.50%1,453
74Ward171:5050.52%30
74James171:5050.78%67
74Arnold171:5051.29%125
74Davey171:5051.82%198
74Sale171:50512.69%1,552
74Elson171:5058.90%1,104
80King161:5360.31%8
80Fisher161:5360.83%80
80Ford161:5360.94%94
80May161:5360.86%85
80Baxter161:5362.50%314
80Lambert161:5361.51%169
80Giles161:5361.79%209
80Simmonds161:5361.47%161
80Hoare161:5362.30%278
80Snook161:53610.13%1,333
80Cobbett161:5366.20%823
80Boylett161:53614.95%1,949
92Murphy151:5721.28%146
92Bird151:5721.16%128
92Jennings151:5721.86%237
92Fry151:5721.45%174
92Why151:57233.33%4,119
97Campbell141:6131.79%248
97Russell141:6130.60%61
97Graham141:6132.22%323
97Saunders141:6130.57%56
97Cole141:6130.64%66
97Matthews141:6130.91%104
97Long141:6131.17%144
97Read141:6131.12%134
97Coates141:6133.19%481
97Collier141:6132.55%376
97Webber141:6132.59%383
97Street141:6132.21%322
97Sewell141:6132.85%427
97Steer141:6132.26%329
97Sexton141:6134.52%687
97Edes141:61342.42%5,345
113Watson131:6600.60%68
113Allen131:6600.42%35
113Fletcher131:6601.17%158
113Reid131:6601.95%294
113Hardy131:6601.66%249
113Bolton131:6601.68%254
113Crane131:6602.32%368
113Weller131:6601.29%181
113Laker131:6605.49%895
113Hilder131:66020.63%3,067
113Harnett131:66026.00%3,744
113Slyfield131:66026.53%3,806
125Barnes121:7150.52%62
125Harvey121:7150.74%100
125Elliott121:7150.85%116
125Sims121:7151.86%308
125Gale121:7151.59%261
125Harwood121:7151.82%299
125Daley121:7156.52%1,149
125Timms121:7158.28%1,442
125Levett121:71511.01%1,904
125Mayers121:71512.24%2,097
125Lewry121:71525.00%3,866
125Harnes121:715100.00%11,502
137Scott111:7800.41%48
137Young111:7800.34%33
137Price111:7800.61%88
137Foster111:7800.62%91
137Butler111:7800.62%90
137Barnett111:7801.41%251
137Bartlett111:7800.91%142
137Glover111:7801.66%295
137Bowden111:7802.68%520
137Love111:7803.42%657
137Newell111:7803.07%596
137Butt111:7803.51%676
137Mansell111:7802.47%475
137Bushell111:7807.05%1,345
137Waterman111:7805.05%968
137Stocker111:7806.47%1,244
137Westbrook111:7806.63%1,271
137Minns111:78015.49%2,776
137Stenning111:7804.23%819
137Colborne111:78023.91%4,030
137Kern111:78037.93%5,954
158Hughes101:8580.56%89
158Kelly101:8581.20%225
158Hart101:8580.54%84
158Sullivan101:8580.61%98
158Peacock101:8581.83%379
158Gibbons101:8582.07%437
158Rowland101:8581.65%336
158Lynch101:8583.52%749
158Humphries101:8583.01%640
158Grove101:8583.25%692
158Longhurst101:8581.36%267
158Cheesman101:8583.88%823
158Chitty101:8582.16%454
158Hack101:8584.48%949
158Broderick101:85816.67%3,213
158Dunnett101:85825.64%4,646
158Askham101:85838.46%6,449
158Skeet101:85810.75%2,182
158Daborn101:8585.88%1,244
177Morris91:9530.38%59
177Simpson91:9530.61%110
177Robertson91:9531.24%272
177Dawson91:9530.90%183
177Grant91:9530.86%172
177Watts91:9530.53%94
177Berry91:9530.77%145
177Rose91:9530.56%101
177Stone91:9530.53%96
177Potter91:9530.65%120
177Cooke91:9531.18%257
177Clayton91:9531.56%352
177Willis91:9530.85%168
177Douglas91:9532.56%603
177Sanders91:9531.00%207
177Hooper91:9531.23%270
177Hale91:9531.30%280
177Vaughan91:9532.20%522
177Ryan91:9531.37%302
177Lock91:9531.18%258
177Salmon91:9532.05%481
177Moon91:9532.30%549
177Madden91:9537.44%1,698
177Bridger91:9531.88%439
177Mayhew91:9533.21%765
177Boxall91:9531.11%236
177Rosser91:9539.89%2,218
177Walpole91:95311.84%2,618
177Boniface91:9538.41%1,949
177Aylward91:95310.84%2,418
177Spong91:9534.81%1,132
177Gloster91:95339.13%7,073
177Allwork91:95320.00%4,119
177Kates91:95347.37%8,212
177Bayless91:95381.82%12,297
177Eggar91:95332.14%6,112
177Shurman91:95325.00%4,955
177Freebody91:95327.27%5,345
177Mathis91:95375.00%11,502
177Warker91:953100.00%14,352
177Baylett91:95342.86%7,592