Dewsbury Genealogical Records

Dewsbury 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.

Daw Green St John the Baptist, Dewsbury Baptisms (1884-1910)

Baptism registers document the baptism and sometimes birth of people in and around Daw Green, St John the Baptist, Dewsbury. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.

St Philip, Dewsbury Baptism Records (1878-1910)

Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around St Philip, Dewsbury 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. Records can include name of child, parents' names, residence, occupations and more.

St Mark, Dewsbury Baptism Records (1865-1910)

Name index attached to original images of the baptism registers of St Mark, Dewsbury. Records document parents' names, date of baptism and/or birth, residence, occupations and more.

Thornhill Lees Holy Innocents, Thornhill Baptisms (1858-1910)

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 and more.

Dewsbury 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.

Daw Green St John the Baptist, Dewsbury Marriages (1886-1935)

Details on those who married at Daw Green, St John the Baptist, Dewsbury between 1886 and 1935. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

St Philip the Apostle, Dewsbury Marriages (1880-1935)

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 Mark, Dewsbury Marriage Records (1867-1935)

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

Thornhill Lees Holy Innocents, Thornhill Marriages (1859-1935)

Marriage registers are the primary source for marital documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They typically record marital status and residence. Details may also be given on a party's parents, age and parish of origin.

Dewsbury 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.

Daw Green St John the Baptist, Dewsbury Burials (1949-1963)

Records of burial for people buried at Daw Green, St John the Baptist, Dewsbury between 1949 and 1963. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age.

Thornhill Lees Holy Innocents, Thornhill Burials (1862-1954)

Records of burial for people buried at Thornhill Lees, Holy Innocents, Thornhill between 1862 and 1954. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age.

St Matthew, Dewsbury West Town Burial Records (1849-1889)

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

St John the Evangelist, Dewsbury Moor Burial Records (1827-1963)

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

Dewsbury 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.

West Yorkshire Tax Valuation (1910)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of records recording over 600,000 properties in West Yorkshire, their owner, occupier, description and details of their taxable value.

West Yorkshire Electoral Registers (1840-1962)

An index to and images of registers listing over 22.5 million names of those who were registered to vote. The records list name, address and qualification to vote.

West Yorkshire Land Tax Records (1704-1932)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registered recording almost 4 million tax payments on properties. They record land owners, occupiers, taxable value and sometimes a description of the property.

Newspapers Covering Dewsbury

Bradford Daily Telegraph (1868-1870)

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

Rochdale Observer (1856-1866)

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

Huddersfield Chronicle (1850-1900)

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

Bradford Observer (1834-1875)

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 Bradford district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Leeds Times (1833-1901)

This fully searchable newspaper will provide a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Leeds district. Includes family announcements.

Dewsbury 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.).

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.).

Derbyshire Will Index (1858-1928)

An index to wills, proved by the Derby Probate Registry. Index includes name, residence and year of probate. Contains entries for Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and other counties.

Dewsbury Immigration & Travel Records

West Yorkshire Removal & Settlement Records (1689-1866)

An index to and images of over 14,000 records detailing the removal and settlement of people between parishes in West Yorkshire.

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.

Dewsbury Military Records

West Riding Yorkshire Territorials in the Great War (1908-1919)

Three books detailing the unit's history from the period before and during WWI. Also contains a list of members, with dates of service and a roll of honours and awards.

West Yorkshire Militia Records (1779-1826)

Digital images of records that record those serving in and assessed for service in the militia and details of payments for the militia. The records can be searched by a name index.

North East War Memorials (1882-1951)

An inventory of memorials commemorating those who served and died in military conflicts.

North-East Diary (1939-1945)

A chronicle of happenings in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire relating to the war in Europe. Contains much detail on ship building.

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

Lists of officers by rank, regiment and name.

West Yorkshire Electoral Registers (1840-1962)

An index to and images of registers listing over 22.5 million names of those who were registered to vote. The records list name, address and qualification to vote.

West Yorkshire Prison Records (1801-1914)

Digital images of various documents, searchable by an index of over 335,000 names. The records include registers that record prisoners' names, ages, occupation, crimes, criminal history, education, religion, genealogical information and more.

West Yorkshire Bastardy Records (1690-1914)

Records of over 14,000 illegitimate births, which will typically name the child's father.

West Yorkshire Coroners Notebooks (1852-1909)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording over 19,000 deaths deemed suspicious or otherwise worth investigating.

West Yorkshire Poor Law Records (1663-1914)

Records details of the distribution of funds to the poor, churchwardens' records, maintenance for illegitimate child and other similar records.

Dewsbury Taxation Records

West Yorkshire Tax Valuation (1910)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of records recording over 600,000 properties in West Yorkshire, their owner, occupier, description and details of their taxable value.

West Riding of Yorkshire Poll Book (1835)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

West Yorkshire Land Tax Records (1704-1932)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registered recording almost 4 million tax payments on properties. They record land owners, occupiers, taxable value and sometimes a description of the property.

West Riding of Yorkshire Hearth Tax (1672)

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

West Riding of Yorkshire Hearth Tax (1672)

A name index to records recording taxes levied against owners of hearths in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Dewsbury Land & Property Records

West Yorkshire Tax Valuation (1910)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of records recording over 600,000 properties in West Yorkshire, their owner, occupier, description and details of their taxable value.

West Riding of Yorkshire Poll Book (1835)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

West Yorkshire Land Tax Records (1704-1932)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registered recording almost 4 million tax payments on properties. They record land owners, occupiers, taxable value and sometimes a description of the property.

West Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for West Riding settlements found in the Domesday book. Includes the modern & 11th century place name, land owners and details of later history.

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1868)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Dewsbury Directories & Gazetteers

Directory of the Clothing District (1853)

A directory centring on the textile towns of West Yorkshire.

Kelly's Directory of West Riding (1927)

A directory of settlements in the riding detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of West Riding (1908)

Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private Descriptions of physical and geological landmarks, a listing of government offices and descriptions of the villages & parishes, including a list of the private residents..

Kelly's Directory of West Riding (1897)

A directory of the riding detailing its history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of West Riding (1893)

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.

Dewsbury Cemeteries

West Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Yorkshire Graves Index (1408-2003)

An index to close to 150,000 names listed on gravestones in Yorkshire.

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.

Dewsbury 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.

Dewsbury Histories & Books

West Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for West Riding settlements found in the Domesday book. Includes the modern & 11th century place name, land owners and details of later history.

Yorkshire Domesday Records (1086)

An English translation of Yorkshire domesday records. This transcripts details the county's landowners in 1086.

Victoria County History: Yorkshire (1086-1900)

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

North-East Diary (1939-1945)

A chronicle of happenings in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire relating to the war in Europe. Contains much detail on ship building.

North Yorkshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in North Yorkshire.

Dewsbury School & Education Records

West Yorkshire Reformatory School Records (1856-1914)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording admission, residence and discharges for schools that aimed to reform criminal youths. A great deal of detail may be gleaned on over 9,000 individual, including genealogical details, employment record and photographs.

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.

Dewsbury Occupation & Business Records

West Yorkshire Police Records (1833-1914)

Digital images of registers recording appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions, transfers, applications, injuries and more. The records can be searched by an index of over 32,000 names.

West Yorkshire Occupation Records (1793-1930)

An index to and images of occupational records. They may list name, residence, age, birth date, occupation, date of employment, employer, and marital status. Certificates of fitness for employment can include parents’ names.

West Yorkshire Alehouse Licences (1771-1962)

An index to and images of over 75,000 alehouse licences, listing name of the person who held the licence, the name and location of the public house, dates the licence was issued and renewed, and whether the licence was transferred.

West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Records (1627-1894)

An index to and images of around 7,000 apprenticeship records. They may list name, age, parents' names, master's name, trade, date, residence, terms of apprenticeship and more.

Collieries of The North (1869-1991)

Profiles of collieries in the north of England, with employment statistics, profiles of those who died in the mines and photographs.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Dewsbury

Victoria County History: Yorkshire (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.

Dewsbury Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

West Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Victoria County History: Yorkshire (1086-1900)

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

The Visitation of Yorkshire: 1584-5 (1000-1585)

Pedigrees compiled from a late 16th century heraldic visitation of Yorkshire. This work records the lineage, descendants and marriages of families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

The Visitation of Yorkshire: 1612 (1000-1612)

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

Dewsbury Church Records

Dewsbury West Town Parish Registers (1848-1935)

The parish registers of Dewsbury West Town 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 1848 and 1935.

Dewsbury Moor Parish Registers (1827-1963)

The parish registers of Dewsbury Moor provide details of births, marriages and deaths from 1827 to 1963. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Dewsbury Parish Registers (1538-1963)

The parish registers of Dewsbury 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 1538 and 1963.

West Yorkshire Non-conformist Parish Registers (1656-1985)

A name index linked to images of birth and baptism registers from West Yorkshire non-conformist churches. These records document the birth or baptism of over 275,000 people.

West Yorkshire Non-conformist Membership Records (1772-1973)

Tens of thousands of entries from non-conformist records detailing churches' membership. Records can include details such as date & place of birth, residence, familial relations and occupations. Records are indexed by name and connected to original images.

Biographical Directories Covering Dewsbury

Yorkshire Who's Who (1912)

A listing of the prominent residents of the county of Yorkshire, giving details on family, education, careers, hobbies, associations and more. Also includes details on the county's government officials, military officers, members of parliament, religious leaders and demographics.

Officers of The Green Howards (1688-1931)

Biographies of hundreds of men who served as officers in The Green Howards, an infant regiment in the King's Division. Details given include parentage, date of birth, military career and later professional career.

Who's Who in Northern Mining (1852-1910)

Abstract biographies of people connected with mining in the North of England.

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.

Dewsbury Maps

Maps of Yorkshire (1407-1922)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

Collery Maps of The North (1807-1951)

A number of maps of northern England with the locations of collieries plotted.

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.

Dewsbury 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

DEWSBURY is a town of great antiquity, municipal and parliamentary borough, head of a county court district and union, and a polling place for the southern division of the Riding, situated on the north bank of the river Calder, in the lower division of the wapentake of Agbrigg, rural deanery of Dewsbury, archdeaconry of Craven, diocese of Ripon and province of York, in the liberty of the manor of Wakefield, 7 miles north-east from Huddersfield, 10 southeast from Halifax, 9 south-east from Bradford, 7 west from Wakefield, 10 north-west from Barnsley, 8 south-west from Leeds and 187 from London; the Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester branch of the London and North Western railway has a station in the town, and the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway has a branch to the town, with a terminal station in the Market place, where also is the Great Northern station. By the Representation of the People Act, 30 and 31 Vic. cap. 102, Dewsbury was made a parliamentary borough, comprising the township of Dewsbury and Batley, as well as a portion of the townships of Soothill (Upper and Nether), Mirfield (Ravensthorpe), and Thornhill (Thornhill Lees and Savile Town), and returns one member. The ancient importance of Dewsbury is connected more with ecclesiastical than with civil history; in the time of the Saxons it was one of the most extensive parishes in England, and extending over an area of 400 square miles, including the parishes of Thornhill, Kirkburton, Almondbury, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield, Bradford, Mirfield and Halifax; by royal charter, 11th April, 1862, the town was placed under the government of a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors, the municipal borough comprising the township of Dewsbury only, and being divided into the wards of All saints, St. John and Trinity. The parliamentary borough is more extensive then the municipal. This place, situated in the heart of the woollen district, has risen from comparative insignificance to the position of a populous and thriving manufacturing town: among the varied classes of goods manufactured here are heavy and fancy woollens, such as army and navy and police cloths, pilots, Devons, beavers, jerseys, witneys, flushings, feltings, collar checks, baizes, serges, blankets, drugeets and rugs; the river Calder gives a partial supply of the water needed for this species of manufacture, but the pure water, so necessary for scouring, dyeing and finishing heavy woollens, is obtained from a large area of catch ground, lying between Penistone and Manchester, the reservoirs of the Dewsbury and Heckmondwike Water Company being situated at Dunford Bridge, and Broadstones, a distance of 17 miles south-west of Dewsbury, and at Whitley and Staincliffe, near Dewsbury. In addition to the woollen manufacture, there are several large iron foundries, boiler and machine factories, and extensive flour mills. The town and district is lighted with gas from works erected by the Corporation in 1877, at a cost of £100,000.

Many first-class warehouses have been erected. The new Co-operative buildings in Northgate were built at a cost of £120,000, from designs by Messrs. Holtom and Connon, of Dewsbury and Leeds; the principal front being an imposing facade 190 feet long, with a clock tower at the south angle containing a peal of bells, and at the northern angle a pavilion and mansard roof: the interior is arranged in six large departments, including stores, warehouses, workshops, library, reading and discussion rooms, board room, offices, and a large hall capable of seating 2,000 persons, with orchestra for 250 performers. There are also mills of great power, besides a great number of houses and villas in the suburbs. The streets are well lighted with gas, and paved. Dewsbury has a separate commission of the peace, comprising fourteen magistrates, the mayor and ex-mayor for the time being acting as justices. The arrangements of the police courts are good, but the courts small for the amount of business at the petty sessions. The county magistrates sit every Monday and Friday, and the borough magistrates every Monday and Thursday. The inland revenue office is at the Royal Hotel. There are two handsome masonic halls here; the Hall of St. John’s Lodge (827) is in the Halifax road, and that of The Three Grand Principles Lodge (208) in the Long causeway.

The parish church of All saints is a plain but ancient building, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, with tower containing a peal of 8 bells: the Church stands on the site of a Saxon church, said to have been built by St. Paulinus, A.D. 653, the nave of the present building belongs to the 10th or 11th. and the chancel to the 15th century: there are some very ancient Saxon tombs and crosses of the 7th or 8th century, and a Norman font. The register dates from 1538, and is in good preservation. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £296 with residence, in the gift of the Crown and held by the Rev. John Richard Baldwin, of St. Bees.

St. Matthew, West Town, is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1849 from that of All saints; the church is a stone building in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and tower. The register dates from the year 1849. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £150 with residence, in the gift of the vicar of Dewsbury and held by the Rev. Richard Harris Abbott B.A. of Trinity College, Dublin.

St.John’s, Dewsbury Moor, is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1842 from that of All saints; the church is a stone building in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and tower. The register dates from the year 1842. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £151, in the gift of the vicar of Dewsbury and held by the Rev. William Coxon Daniel M.A. of Hertford College, Oxford. The iron mission church of St. Stephen, Boothroyd lane, is worked in connection with this church.

St. Mark’s is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1866 from that of All saints; the church, situated in the Halifax road, is a stone building in the Perpendicular style, erected in 1865, and consists of chancel, nave, north and south transepts, aisles and tower surmounted by an elegant spire. The register dates from the year 1865. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £50 a year and residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Ripon and held by the Rev. Harry Charles sturdy M.A. of Christ Church, Oxford.

St. Philip’s, Leeds road, is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1879 from the parishes of St. Paul, Hanging Heaton and St. Peter, Earls Heaton and the mother parish of All saints: the church, built in 1878, is a cruciform building of stone in the Decorated style, consisting of nave, apsidal chancel, transepts, aisles and vestry, with tower, to which a spire will be added when funds are forthcoming; the chancel is raised some three or four feet above the nave, and has a reredos of Caen stone, with sculptured figures of Our saviour and four Apostles; the pulpit, in the nave, is also of Caen stone, with marble columns and ornaments; there are several stained glass windows; Messrs Holtom and Connon, of Dewsbury and Leeds, were the architects. The register dates from the year 1879. The living is a perpetual curacy, at present unendowed, in the gift of the vicar of Dewsbury and held by the Rev. John Margetson Heald M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge.

There are also three mission churches in several parts of the town, connected with the parish church, and named respectively, St. Andrew, St. Luke and St. James.

The Catholic church, situated on the Huddersfield road, West Town, is an edifice in the Early English style, from designs by E. Welby Pugin esq.; the foundation stone of which was laid in 1867, and the building finished in 1871 at a cost of £7,000, principally raised through the exertions of the Rev. W. R. Kenny. There are schools in connection with this church.

Here are chapels for Wesleyans, Methodist New Connexion, Congregationalists, Baptists, Primitive Methodists, Unitarians and Christian Brethren, and a meeting-house for the society of Friends.

The market for the sale of raw material and manufactured goods, as well as provisions, is held every Wednesday, and a general market on Saturdays. A fair for the sale of cattle is held on the Wednesday preceding the 12th of May; another for the sale of unions on the Wednesday preceding the 10th of October: the annual pleasure fair or feast commences on the 25th of July, and lasts a week.

The Mechanics’ Institution, situated at the bottom of Church street, is a stone structure, purchased of Her Majesty’s Lords of the Treasury for £1,300, and besides a large lecture-room, contains three class-rooms, a chess-room, a library, and an excellent news-room, with daily supplies of the London and provincial newspapers; the library contains about 1,400 volumes.

The Church Institute, established in 1864, and carried on in the old Vicarage House in Church street, has a good library of about 1,700 volumes, with news rooms, reading-room and chess-room.

The Working Men’s Club has premises in Nelson street.

The Theatre Royal, in Bradford street, was erected in 1865 by the late Mr. Job Joy, and is at present held by trustees. John Windleyis the lessee.

Three newspapers are published here: two weekly (on Saturdays), viz. the ‘ Chronicle, ’ and ‘ Reporter’; the latter being also issued daily.

Crow Nest, the residence of Mrs. Hague, on Dewsbury Moor, is an ancient mansion, situated in extensive grounds, which also contain a small square building, called the Temple, and supposed to be about 200 years old.

The population of the municipal and parliamentary borough in 1871 was: —

All saints’ Ward—5,668.

St. John’s Ward—9,689.

Trinity Ward—9,407.

Municipal borough—24,764.

Batley Township, part of—19,697.

Mirfield Township, part of—2,910.

Soothill Township, part of—4,927.

Thornhill Township, part of—2,642.

Parliamentary borough 54,940.

The population of the parish in 1871 was 45,293, and of the township, 24,764; the township proper has an area of 1,392 acres; entire area of parish, 10,102 acres; rateable value, £93,127.

Dewsbury Moor is a portion of the parish on the west.

INSURANCE AGENTS

Atlas Fire & Life, Chadwick & son, Church street.

British Empire Mutual Life, B. Bulraer, Market place.

Commercial Union, B. Oates, Church street; spiking & Platts, Union street.

County Fire & Provident Life, S. R. Clay, Union street; Kirk & sons, Market place.

Economic Life, J. Cocker, Huddersfield Bank, Market place.

Lion Fire, F. F. Nicholson, Hollinroyd wood; A. Foster, Market place.

Liverpool & London & Globe, W. Lipscomb, Savile estate office; C. H. Marriott, West Park street; J. Smith. Bond street; William Scholefield, Wellington road; Tennant, Rayner & Nevin, Union street; J. Howard Taylor, Wakefield road.

London Assurance Corporation, W. Graham, Church st.

London & Staffordshire Fire, J. E. Greenwood, Williams rd.

Manchester Fire, C. S. Greenwood, Leeds road; F. Robinson, 597 Westgate; J. H. Taylor, Wakefield road.

North British & Mercantile, B. Bulmer, Market place; Chadwick & Co. Bradford road, Batley Carr; Haigh, Barker & Barker, Bond street; J. Ibberson, Westgate; J. Watts, Church street.

Norwich Union Fire, W. J. Wilkinson, Bond street.

Phoenix Fire, C. P. Pickersgill, Oak Lee.

Queen, F. Carter, Bond street; J. D. Good, Market place; M. Spedding, Market place.

Royal, W. H. Chadwick, Huddersfield Banking Co. Market place; Good & Whiteley, Westgate; J. Kirk &, sons, Market place.

Royal Exchange, J. Ibberson, Westgate.

Scottish Equitable Life, R. Walker, West Riding Union Bank, Marketplace.

Scottish Union & National Fire & Life, E. Bickers, Wellington house, Wellington road; J. H. Simpson, Union street; J. M. Fenton, Bradford road; J. F. Spiking, Union street.

Scottish Widows’ Fund, W. C. Handley, Hope terrace; E. North. West Park street; J. F. Spiking, Union street.

Sun Fire, A. Heron, West Riding Union Bank.

West of England, Tennant, Rayner & Nevin, Onion st.

Westminster Fire, W. Hemingway, Church street; A. Ridgway, Union street.

Yorkshire Fire & Life, Scholes & son, Leeds road.

Dewsbury Union

Board day, alternate Fridays.

The union embraces eleven townships, viz.: Batley, Dewsbury, Gomersal, Heckmondwike, Liversedge, Mirfield, Morley, Ossett, Soothill, Thornhill & Whitley Lower, having a total population (1871) of 124,297; rateable value, £477,993.

PLACES OF WORSHIP.

With times of service.

Churches.

All saints’ (Parish), Church street, Rev. John Richard Baldwin, vicar; Sun. 10.45 & 6.30, Wed. 7.30.

St. John’s, Dewsbury moor, Rev. William Coxon Daniel, M.A. vicar; Sun. 10.30, 3 & 6.30, Wed. 7.30.

St. Matthew's, West town, Rev. Richard Harris Abbott B.A. vicar; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Wed. 7.30.

St. Mark’s, Halifax road, Rev. Harry Charles sturdy M.A. vicar; Sun. 10.30 & 6.

St. Philip's, Leeds road, Rev. John Margetson Heald M.A.; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Holy Trinitu, Batley Carr, Rev. William Appleyard, vicar; Sun. 10.30, & 6 Wed. 7.30.

Catholic, West town, Rev. William R. Kenny, priest; Sun. 8, 9.30,11, children’s service 3.15, vespers 6.30, Tue. & Thur. 7.30.

Chapels.

Baptist, Wakefield road, Rev. George Eales M.A. minister; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Christian Brethren, Wakefield road, ministers various; Sun. 10.30, 2.30 & 6.

Congregational (Ebenezer), Long causeway, Rev. Henry Sturt, minister; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Congregational (Springfield), Rev, Gilbert McCallum, minister; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Congregational (Trinity), Wellington road, Rev. Adam Averell Ramsey, minister; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Methodist New Connexion, Bradford road, ministers various; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Methodist New Connexion, Dewsbury moor; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Wed. 7.30.

Primitive Methodist (Zion), New Wakefield, ministers various; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Wed. 7.30.

Primitive Methodist, Upper road, Batley Carr, ministers various; Sun. 2.30 & 6, Thur. 8.

Primitive Methodist, Wellington road, ministers various.

Society of Friends, Bradford road; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 10.30 a.m.

Unitarian, Swinden road, Rev. David Scott, minister; Sun. 10.45 & 6.

Wesleyan Methodist Centenary Chapel, Westgate, ministers various; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 7.30.

Wesleyan Methodist, Town street, Batley Carr, ministers various; Sun. 10.30 & 6, Thur. 8 p.m.

SCHOOL BOARD

Clerk, Rev. G.G. Waddington.

SCHOOLS

Board schools

Boothroyd, J. Helliwell, master; Miss M. E. Kitchen, girls’ mistress; Miss A. A. Burbage, infants’ mistress.

Carlton street (mixed & infants), erected, with master’s house, in 1847, at a cost of about £8,000; Joseph Jarrett Heffbrd, master; Miss Eliza Whitworth. mistress; Miss Sarah Mecoid, infants’ mistress.

Dewsbury Moor, Thomas Clark, master; Miss H. A. Naylor, mistress; Miss Lunn, infants’ mistress.

Eastborough, in Batty street, consists of buildings in the Gothic style, from designs by Messrs. Holtom & Connon, with a tower at the southern extremity, surmounted by a spire, & will hold 900 children; A. Foster, master; Miss L. Wilson, girls’ mistress; Mrs. M. H. Harding, infants’ mistress.

Wellington Road, Mrs. S. Fieldhouse, mistress.

Wellington street, J. H. Webster, master.

All saints’ National, Church street, William Hays, master; Miss Mary Darnbrough, girls’ mistress; Miss Sophia Rogers, infants’ mistress.

Catholic, West town, sister Bridget Galagher, mistress.

St. Mark’s National, West Park street, William Newey, master; Mrs. Newey, mistress.

Wheelwright’s Free (mixed), endowed with £100 yearly, educates 150 children, Town end, John Thornes, master.

National (mixed), Batley Carr;-Cowley, master.

National, Boothroyd, Joslah Greenwood, master.

Charity school, Daw green, endowed with £160 yearly, educates 80 children.

Kelly's Directory of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire (1913)

Most Common Surnames in Dewsbury

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Agbrigg Wapentake
1Senior7551:5614.24%62
2Smith6641:631.43%1
3Wilson4201:1001.90%3
4Firth3851:1094.91%36
5Walker3501:1201.76%5
6Hemingway3441:12220.67%304
7Wood3191:1321.66%6
8Oldroyd3021:13922.30%367
9Hirst2951:1433.75%34
9Newsome2951:14317.69%303
11Auty2901:14534.12%580
12Sykes2821:1492.93%22
13Taylor2791:1511.24%2
14Lee2641:1593.25%31
15Brooke2631:16011.17%192
16Robinson2611:1611.30%4
17Tolson2491:16940.23%790
18Scott2291:1843.25%47
19Mitchell2231:1892.42%23
20Field2201:19113.72%316
21Armitage2181:1933.96%60
22Richardson2151:1962.63%30
23Jackson2081:2021.28%8
23Clegg2081:2027.41%147
25Ellis2051:2052.58%33
26Day1981:2138.31%188
26Haigh1981:2132.40%28
28Crawshaw1971:21414.98%377
29Greenwood1851:2271.69%16
30Sheard1771:2388.07%214
31Shaw1711:2461.25%11
32Brook1701:2482.20%38
32Blackburn1701:2483.87%83
34Gledhill1671:2524.57%105
35Lister1631:2583.58%80
36Brown1621:2600.94%7
36Thompson1621:2601.02%9
38Bailey1491:2823.15%72
39Lodge1471:2866.05%183
40Hanson1401:3013.19%82
41Pickles1391:3033.23%87
42Ingham1371:3074.79%143
43Dixon1351:3122.25%56
44Exley1341:31411.15%423
45Kilburn1311:32114.89%557
46Marsden1271:3313.02%90
46France1271:3317.64%305
48Hall1231:3421.13%17
48Riley1231:3422.70%79
50Bentley1221:3453.48%111
50Beaumont1221:3452.53%69
52Preston1211:3484.44%153
52Whitworth1211:34812.15%494
54Wright1201:3510.96%14
54Watson1201:3511.14%18
54Ramsden1201:3513.53%116
54Garforth1201:35121.74%887
58Stott1181:3575.02%194
59Wilkinson1171:3600.91%13
59Thornton1171:3602.24%65
61Harrison1131:3720.82%10
61Buckley1131:3723.82%138
63Dawson1121:3761.58%46
63Booth1121:3761.39%32
65Gibson1111:3792.38%75
66Smithson1081:3908.10%371
67Fox1061:3972.22%70
68Schofield1051:4011.85%57
69Rhodes1041:4051.63%52
69Crabtree1041:4053.36%130
69Lumb1041:4054.35%187
72Crowther1031:4091.96%64
73Ward1021:4130.93%15
73Kelly1021:4134.13%179
75Webster991:4251.63%55
75Goodall991:4256.36%324
75Stead991:4252.26%84
75Asquith991:4256.77%341
79Cooper971:4341.30%42
79Bottomley971:4343.00%128
81Kitson961:4387.62%393
82Turner951:4430.96%20
82Milnes951:4435.54%294
84Johnson941:4480.69%12
84Parker941:4481.25%39
84Oates941:4484.61%233
87Carr931:4532.18%89
88Pearson921:4571.12%29
89Chadwick911:4624.42%230
90Roberts891:4731.32%51
91Marshall871:4840.95%24
92Hepworth851:4953.26%162
92Speight851:4954.81%286
94Fisher831:5072.05%94
95Jennings821:5133.98%229
95Charlesworth821:5134.03%235
95Blakeley821:51313.55%814
98Hutchinson811:5201.75%77
98Squires811:52016.10%973
98Rigg811:52017.72%1,055
101Whitehead801:5261.77%81
101Hoyle801:5262.82%145
101Spedding801:52631.75%1,726
104Lockwood791:5332.04%96
105Summerscales781:54026.26%1,515
106Dyson771:5471.36%59
107Rayner761:5544.73%315
107Waterhouse761:5544.09%272
109White751:5611.03%43
109Barker751:5610.73%19
109Archer751:5615.57%369
109Talbot751:56114.26%924
113Hargreaves731:5762.13%115
114Atkinson721:5840.75%21
114Peace721:5845.64%389
116Dransfield711:5938.54%586
117Fletcher701:6011.36%66
117Crossley701:6011.92%104
117Fothergill701:60111.35%792
120Green691:6100.76%26
120Jessop691:6103.89%285
122Knowles681:6192.80%184
122Bedford681:6192.76%180
122Eastwood681:6192.07%126
122Crossland681:6193.68%277
126Stocks671:6284.56%339
126Thornes671:62840.61%2,353
128Bennett661:6381.88%110
128Williamson661:6382.27%140
130Whitaker651:6471.37%73
130Croft651:6474.27%326
132Lawton641:6583.90%308
133Carter631:6681.20%63
133Briggs631:6681.18%61
133Howgate631:66820.06%1,448
136Sharp621:6791.33%75
136Illingworth621:6792.25%150
136Wilman621:67912.04%946
139Milner611:6901.68%107
139Pickard611:6903.19%265
139Porritt611:69011.28%903
139Dews611:69012.53%999
143Secker601:70131.41%2,151
144Simpson591:7130.67%27
144Denton591:7133.07%259
144Kaye591:7131.76%119
144Haley591:7133.07%260
144Tong591:71340.41%2,585
144Ineson591:71311.24%928
150Pollard581:7262.57%206
150Popplewell581:7268.99%757
152Barraclough571:7382.13%158
152Goldthorpe571:73810.11%870
154Moore561:7510.89%53
154Naylor561:7511.11%67
154Overend561:7518.51%743
154Audsley561:75121.79%1,694
158Graham551:7652.07%159
158Hodgson551:7650.71%37
160Brearey541:77972.97%3,999
161Berry531:7941.60%124
161Bates531:7942.60%232
161Lyles531:79485.48%4,467
164Nicholson521:8091.10%71
164Butterfield521:8092.38%215
164Waring521:8096.56%621
164Swallow521:8093.65%348
164Townend521:8092.59%239
169Jones511:8250.75%50
169Swift511:8252.01%171
169Whiteley511:8251.25%92
169Dunford511:82520.24%1,726
169Windle511:8256.77%648
169McHell511:82534.69%2,570
175Gill501:8420.81%54
175Parkinson501:8421.81%148
175Wilby501:8425.54%547
175Stubley501:84219.31%1,685
179Mason491:8591.14%88
179Burns491:8593.71%374
179Scholes491:8596.64%661
179Halstead491:8594.43%454
179Furness491:8596.39%638
179Batley491:8596.99%692
179Walshaw491:8597.95%795
186King481:8771.32%106
186Cross481:8773.51%362
186Clarkson481:8771.79%156
186Marriott481:8777.47%759
186Mortimer481:8772.60%275
186Oxley481:8772.58%273
186Hainsworth481:8772.80%293
186Spurr481:8777.17%732
186Ruddlesden481:87750.00%3,407
195Barber471:8952.19%219
195Woodcock471:8952.53%274
197Law461:9152.32%243
197Fenton461:9154.19%458
197Kenny461:91510.67%1,107
200Hudson451:9350.62%44
200Hartley451:9350.63%45
200Hey451:9352.30%250
200Hinchliffe451:9352.11%220
200Idle451:93521.23%1,987