Rydal Genealogical Records
Rydal Birth & Baptism Records
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.
A growing index of births registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.
An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.
Rydal Marriage & Divorce Records
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.
A growing index of marriages registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.
An index to marriages registered at the central authority for England & Wales. To March 1912 only the area of registration and name of one party is given. From then on, the spouse's surname is also given. Provides a reference, which can be used to order a marriage certificate with more details.
Rydal Death & Burial Records
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.
An index to registers of burials for people buried at the church.
A growing index of deaths registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.
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.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
Rydal Census & Population Lists
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.
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.
A late 18th century census covering much of Westmorland. It lists households, noting relations, gender and occupations.
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth. Two transcriptions, one from 1670 and the other from 1674/5.
The 1901 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.
Newspapers Covering Rydal
A newspaper recording on (among other topics) births, marriages & deaths, sports, shows, shipping and business news in the Ulverston area.
A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Kendal area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.
Britain's most popular provincial newspaper, covering local & national news, family announcements, government & local proceedings and more.
Original images of a regional newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the Westmorland area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.
A collection of transcribed extracts, particularly BMD columns, from over 20 newspapers.
Rydal Wills & Probate Records
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.
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.
An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Durham and Carlisle District Probate Registry. The index provides a reference, which can be used to view original documents.
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.).
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.).
Rydal Immigration & Travel Records
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.
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.
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.
Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.
Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.
Rydal Military Records
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.
Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.
Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers
This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.
An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.
Rydal Court & Legal Records
Transcriptions and abstracts of documents relating to parts of Westmorland. They include records relating to roads, bridges, religion, taxation etc.
Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.
Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.
Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.
From the late 18th century many prisoners in Britain were kept on decommissioned ships known as hulks. This collection contains nearly 50 years of registers for various ships. Details given include: prisoner's name, date received, age, year of birth and conviction details.
Rydal Taxation Records
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth. Two transcriptions, one from 1670 and the other from 1674/5.
Transcriptions and abstracts of documents relating to parts of Westmorland. They include records relating to roads, bridges, religion, taxation etc.
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.
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.
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.
Rydal Land & Property Records
Transcriptions and abstracts of documents relating to parts of Westmorland. They include records relating to roads, bridges, religion, taxation etc.
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.
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.
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.
Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.
Rydal Directories & Gazetteers
A directory of settlements in Cumberland & Westmorland detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rydal Cemeteries
A transcription of all of the monumental transcriptions, church plaques and windows, and other parish church memorials in the County of Westmorland.
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.
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.
Rydal Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
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.
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.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Rydal Histories & Books
A short history of Rydal-Village, including contemporary photographs and a map.
A collection of thousands of images, largely postcards and photographs of the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.
A large collection of photographs depicting the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, arranged by place.
Detailed descriptions of Cumbria parishes from Mannix & Whellan, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland and Westmorland.
A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.
Rydal School & Education Records
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.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
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.
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.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Rydal Occupation & Business Records
An extensive website detailing over forty different industries connected with the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.
Profiles of collieries in the north of England, with employment statistics, profiles of those who died in the mines and photographs.
A history of agriculture in the 19th century, with details of commons, tithes, labour, markets, livestock, produce, disease, manure, societies, government and more.
Over 1,000 photographs relating to railways in the former counties of Westmorland and Cumbria.
An index to records detailing hundreds of railway employees in Westmorland and Cumberland.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Rydal
Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
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.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Rydal Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
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.
Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.
The most comprehensive listing of Knights of the Crown, listing details where known to the order, date, place and reason for elevation.
Rydal Church Records
A collection of records detailing papists in the Barony of Kendale, during the Civil War.
A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.
Historical and architectural dictionary to churches in the two counties. Contains numerous sketches of church features.
Low-resolution photographs of churches in the county.
Low-resolution photographs of Anglican churches in the county of Westmorland.
Biographical Directories Covering Rydal
A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.
A history of Cumberland and Westmorland's influence and affairs in Westminster. Also contains short biographies of the counties' members of Parliament.
A series of biographies of late-Medieval and Early-modern personages connected with Westmorland.
A small collection of biographies describing county people extracted from various publications.
Abstract biographies of people connected with mining in the North of England.
Rydal Maps
A map delineating Church of England parishes in the two counties.
A collection of maps and descriptions of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland – their settlements and features.
Digital images of maps covering the county.
A map depicting the county boundary, settlements, roads, rivers and rail lines.
Several maps depicting parts of Cumbria.
Rydal Reference Works
Two guides for locating and using manorial records for family and property history.
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
Historical Description
RYDAL and LOUGHRIGG are hamlets forming a joint township in the civil parish of Grasmere, and partly in Grasmere local government district. Rydal, with the northern portion of Loughrigg, was formed into an ecclesiastical parish 6 Aug. 1886, and is in the Northern division of the county, Kendal ward and union, petty sessional division and county court district of Ambleside, rural deanery of Ambleside, archdeaconry of Westmorland and diocese of Carlisle. Rydal is on the north side of the lake of that name, 1 ¼ miles /north-west from Ambleside and about 5 north-by-west from Windermere terminal station on the branch of the London and North Western railway from Oxenholme. Loughrigg lies between the rivers Brathay and Rothay, and rises into a lofty fell extending 2 miles west of Ambleside. The church of St. Mary, erected in 1824 by the late Lady le Fleming, is a building of stone in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing a clock and one bell; the lower stage of the tower forms another porch: the stained east window as a memorial to Maj.-Gen. George Cumberland Hughes le Fleming, d. 1877: in the nave is a memorial window to the famous Dr. Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School, 1827-42, and sometime Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford, d. 12 June, 1842; to Mary (Penrose), his wife, and his eldest son Matthew, so widely known as a poet and critic, and professor of poetry at Oxford 1857-67, d. 15 April, 1888; and there is another window erected to Miss Quillinan, of Loughrigg holme: the church was completely restored, with the exception of the fittings, in 1884-5 at a cost of £1,407, and affords sittings for 166 persons. The register dates from the year 1826. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £151, in the gift of S. H. le Fleming esq. and held since 1898 by the Rev. John Arthur Legh B. A., L. Th. of Durham University and St. Mary Hall, Oxford. Mackreth's gift and the poor’s money afford £1 yearly for distribution, and Benson’s charity produces 12s. 6d. yearly. Rydal Hall, the seat of Stanley Hughes le Fleming esq. J. P., D. L. is a fine old mansion, well sheltered by oak and other trees and standing at the junction of two vales, near the foot of the lake. Above the hall is a romantic glen, overgrown with trees and traversed by a stream, which at the end of the descent precipitates itself over the rocks in a fine double cascade. High Close, the seat of Frank Maude Taylor Jones-Balme esq. J. P. is a handsome mansion situated on a thickly wooded slope, overlooking Loughrigg tarn. Fox How, once the holiday residence of Dr. Arnold, sometime headmaster of Rugby school and now occupied by his daughter, Miss Arnold, is delightfully situated in a secluded spot on the river Rothay, of which it affords a fine view, as well as of Rydal valley and park. Fox Ghyll, formerly the residence of the late Right Hon. W. E Forster M. P. and now the property and residence of the Misses Elletson, closely adjoins, standing below Loughrigg. Loughrigg Brow, a handsome mansion occupying an imposing position on the eastern slope of the ridge, is the property and residence of Isaac Henry Storey esq. J. P. Glen Rothay is the residence of Mrs. Kennedy. Neaum Crag is the residence of Albert Fleming esq. Rydal Mount, for 37 years the residence of the poet Wordsworth and the scene of his death, 23 April, 1850, is now occupied by John Fisher Wordsworth esq. J. P. and the Nab, a cottage once inhabited by Hartley Coleridge, is in the occupation of Mr. John Armstrong, farmer.
Rydal Water, one of the smallest but most beautiful of the English lakes, lies immediately south-east of Grasmere, from which it receives the river Rothay, and that stream, discharging itself at the lower extremity of the lake, passes on to join the Brathay, a little above Windermere, into which the united rivers eventually fall. Rydal Water is about three-quarters of a mile in length, and between 1 and 2 miles in circumference, and the shore at its inlet and outflow, owing to the current of the Rothay, is of a marshy character and overgrown with reeds and Tushes; in the centre of the lake is an islet with groups of lofty pine trees, in the toughs of which a heronry is maintained; on the north side of the lake is Glen Rothay, and near its northern head is the famous “Wishing Gate,” immortalized in the lyrics of Wordsworth; the ancient gate has, however, now disappeared, but its modern substitute retains the traditionary charm, and is covered with the names and initials of visitors. The best view of the lake Is obtained from its western shore.
Loughrigg is a mountainous ridge, 1,101 feet above the sea level, rising from the southern strand of Rydal Water, and lying between it, the rivers Rothay and Brathay and the lake of Elterwater, and extending from Ambleside to Langdale, a distance of about 3 miles; the sides of the fell are delightfully varied with woodland, pasture and rock, the grassy fields sloping gradually down to the lake; the summit forms a kind of broken plateau consisting of undulating sward, interrupted by craggy eminences of different height; a terrace walk surrounds a portion of the fell, and on the south side, at a height of 309 feet, is Loughrigg tarn, a small circular lakelet, near which a stone celt was found; the top of the ridge is easily traversed, and from numerous points of view magnificent prospects are afforded of the neighbouring lakes, including the upper reach of Windermere, the town of Ambleside, the vale of Rothay, Langdale, Scawfell, and the peaks of Skiddaw and Helvellyn. Some Roman remains, comprising an urn containing ashes, together with other relics, have been found here. The Earl of Lonsdale is lord of the manor of Loughrigg, and Stanley Hughes le Fleming esq. lord of the manor of Rydal. The principal landowners are Stanley Hughes le Fleming esq. and Frank Maude Taylor Jones-Balme esq. The soil is sandy; subsoil, rock and gravel. The land is principally in pasture. The area is 4. 754 acres of land and 124 of water; rateable value, £5,479; the population in 1901 was 204 in the ecclesiastical parish and 458 in the whole township.
The children attend the schools at Ambleside.