Great Driffield Genealogical Records

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield Baptisms (BTs) (1832-1876)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, the primary source for birth documentation before 1837. They may record the date a child was born and/or baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Yorkshire Birth Index (1837-2010)

A growing index of births registered in the county. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Yorkshire: Bishop's Transcripts of Baptisms (1578-1914)

An index to 1,250,301 baptisms, linked to images of the original registers. These records will provide parents' names, residences, occupations and occasionally other details.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield Marriages (BTs) (1832-1837)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

Archbishop of York Marriage Licences Index (1613-1839)

An index to over 150,000 licences to marry applied for from the Diocese of York.

Yorkshire Marriage Index (1837-2011)

A growing index of marriages registered in the county. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Yorkshire: Bishop's Transcripts of Marriages (1534-1899)

An index to 585,995 marriages, linked to images of the original registers. These records will provide parents' names, residences, occupations, ages and other details.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield Burials (BTs) (1832-1875)

A name index linked to original images of the burial registers of the church. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age residence and more.

Yorkshire Death Index (1837-2010)

A growing index of deaths registered in the county. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Yorkshire: Bishop's Transcripts of Burials (1578-1972)

An index to 968,658 burials, linked to images of the original registers. These records will provide age, residence and occasionally other details.

Yorkshire Burial Transcripts (1441-1909)

Transcripts of Anglican burial registers from over 100 churches in Yorkshire.

Great Driffield 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.

North Riding of Yorkshire Hearth Tax (1673)

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

Yorkshire Lay Subsidy (1301)

A tax on the county's wealthier residents, ordered by wapentake or liberty and settlement.

1901 British Census (1901)

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 Great Driffield

Yorkshire Evening Post (1890-1903)

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

Northern Echo (1870-1900)

Britain's most popular provincial newspaper, covering local & national news, family announcements, government & local proceedings and more.

The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer (1866-1953)

An illustrated, conservative newspaper with a national focus.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer (1866-1953)

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

Yorkshire Gazette (1819-1867)

A regional newspaper including news from the Yorkshire district, business notices, family announcements, legal & governmental proceedings, advertisements and more.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield Military Records

15th Foot Regiment (East Riding) Historical Records (1685-1848)

A general history of the regiment, including biographies of its colonels.

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.

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.

Yorkshire Feet of Fines (1486-1503)

Abstracts of records that detail land conveyances.

Eyre Rolls for Yorkshire (1218-1219)

Transcriptions of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

South Yorkshire Asylum Admission Records (1872-1910)

Transcripts of 17,368 admission records, including name, gender, age, occupation, date of admission, cause of insanity, outcome of incarceration, date of leaving the institution and more.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Great Driffield Taxation Records

North Riding of Yorkshire Hearth Tax (1673)

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

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1868)

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

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1807)

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

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1741)

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

Lincolnshire Domesday & Lindsey Survey (1066-1118)

A transcription of the Lincolnshire section of the Domesday Book, which records land ownership, use and value in the late 11th century; and similar survey completed in 1118.

Great Driffield Land & Property Records

East Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for East 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.

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1807)

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

Poll Book for Yorkshire (1741)

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

Yorkshire Feet of Fines (1486-1503)

Abstracts of records that detail land conveyances.

Great Driffield Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of North & East Ridings (1937)

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

Kelly's Directory of North & East Ridings (1925)

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

Directory of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire (1913)

A directory outlining the history of settlements in the North and East Ridings and listing their commercial, private and professional residents.

Kelly's Directory of N & E Ridings of Yorkshire (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 North & East Ridings (1909)

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..

Great Driffield Cemeteries

East Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of East 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.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield Histories & Books

History of the East and North Ridings (1840)

A general history of the area and its divisions.

East Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for East 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.

Great Driffield School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Great Driffield Occupation & Business Records

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.

Northern Mining Disasters (1705-1975)

Reports of mining distastes, includes lists of the deceased and photographs of monuments.

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

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

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

Yorkshire Rugby Union Commemoration Book (1914-1919)

A searchable book detailing the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union around the time of the Great War. Contains the names of many players and other persons associated with the sport.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Great Driffield

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.

Great Driffield Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

East Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of East 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.

Great Driffield Church Records

Yorkshire Parish Registers & Bishop's Transcripts (1538-2001)

Digital images of baptism, marriage and burial registers from Church of England places of worship in Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Confirmations (1859-1915)

Records recording teens and young adults commitment to the Christian faith.

England Parish Registers (1914-2013)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at England. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

England Parish Registers (1538-1934)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though extremely useful to the present. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Biographical Directories Covering Great Driffield

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.

Great Driffield 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.

Great Driffield 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

Great Driffield is situated on a free sporting country, well watered by several trout streams. The woollen manufactory has been lately introduced into the parish, and there are some extensive bleaching grounds. The market is on Thursday.

In 1784, the Society of Antiquarians, having had undoubted information that the remain of King Alfred the Great, who died in the year 901, were deposited in the parish church of Little Driffield, about four miles west from hence, deputed two of that learned body (accompanied by some other gentlemen), to take up and examine the same: accordingly, on Tuesday the 20th of September, 1784, the above gentlemen, with proper assistants, entered the church for that purpose, to be directed to the identical spot, by a secret history. After digging some time they found a stone coffin, and, on opening the same, discovered the entire skeleton of that great and pious prince, together with most part of his steel armour, the remainder of which had probably been corroded by rust and length of time. After satisfying their curiosity, the coffin was closed, as well as the grave, that every thing might remain in the same state as when found. In the history above alluded to, it appears, that King Alfred, being wounded in the battle of Stanford Briggs, returned to Driffield, where he languished of his wounds twenty days, and then expired, and was interred in the parish church thereof. During his sickness he chartered four fairs, which are now annually held.

On the south side of the chancel these lines are written:

Within this Chancel

Lies interred the Body of

Alfred, King of Northumberland,

who departed this life

Jan. 19, A. D. 705,

In the 20th year of his reign.

Statutum est omnibus semel mori.

It is appointed for all once to die.

At Seamer was anciently a castle belonging to the Percies; and at Acton, two miles north-west, are the ruins of another.

As we have already described Beverley, and the country from thence, we shall here conclude this journey.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

GREAT DRIFFIELD is a market and union town, head of a county court district and parish, with a station at the junction of the Hull and Scarborough, Malton and Driffield, Scarborough and Bridlington and West Riding Junction branches of the North Eastern railway and of the line opened in 1892 between Driffield and Market Weighton, and is 196 miles from London, 60 ½ from Leeds, 41 east from York, 40 north-east from Selby, 34 ¼ by rail and 22 by road from Scarborough, and 20 north-by-east from Hull, 13 north from Beverley and 12 south-west from Bridlington: it is in the Buckrose division of the Riding, petty sessional division of Bainton Beacon, Harthill wapentake (Bainton Beacon division), rural deanery of Harthill, archdeaconry of the East Riding and diocese of York.

The town was formerly governed by a Local Board, formed Jan. 2, 1874, but under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), it is now controlled by an Urban District Council of 12 members. It is lighted with gas from works now the property of the Urban District Council, but originally established in Eastgate north by the Driffield Gas Light Co. in 1835: water is derived from the works of the Driffield Water Co. Limited, erected at Spellowgate, about 2 miles distant, in 1885.

The church of All Saints, probably erected soon after the Norman Conquest, is a building of stone, consisting of chancel, with organ chamber and vestry, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattled tower of Perpendicular date, with crocketed pinnacles and containing a clock and 6 bells: the south aisle, erected in the 14th century, is lighted by large square windows land retains a piscina: the tower, said to have been built by one of the Hothams, of Scarborough, incorporates portions of the Early Norman structure, and under the battlements are three shields bearing the arms of Norman families: in the chancel is a memorial window to Edward Lucas, d. 1881, and to Caroline, his wife, d. 1883: in the south aisle is a memorial window, erected by public subscription in 1864, to H.R.H. the Prince Consort, who died Dec. 14, 1861: in 1895 a memorial window was erected to the Revs. Richard and George Allen, former vicars: there are several others, including one to Rev. Horace Newton M.A. prebendary of York, vicar (1877-92), and another, placed in 1901 by Richard Davison esq.; a carved and illuminated oak retable and carved oak screens were presented in 1908 by Harrison Holt esq. of Highfield: the restoration of the church was carried out in 1879-80, from designs by the late Sir G. Gilbert Scott B.A. at a cost of £12,000, when the chancel, north aisle and south porch were rebuilt, and a vestry and organ chamber erected: there are 654 sittings. The register dates from the year 1556. The living is a vicarage, with Emswell-cum-Little Driffield annexed, joint net yearly value £300, besides £42 for a house, in the gift of the Archbishop of York, and held since 1892 by the Rev. William Robert Sharrock M.A. of St. John’s College, Cambridge, canon and prebendary of York, rural dean of Harthill, chaplain of Driffield union, and surrogate.

A church room, connected with the church and clergy house, was erected by public subscription in 1895.

The church of St. John, erected in 1899-1900, in place of a temporary wooden mission church, at a cost of upwards of £5,000, is an edifice of brick, in the Romanesque style, from plans by Messrs. Hicks and Charlwood, architects, of Neweastle-on-Tyne, and consists of chancel with aisle, nave, with short aisles, transepts, vestry and west porch: the internal fittings are of oak, and the church affords sittings for 428 persons.

The Catholic church, Westgate, dedicated to Our Lady and St. Edward, was built by Lady Herries, in 1886, at a cost of about £2,000, and is a red brick building in the Norman style.

There is a Congregational chapel, built in 1803, with 450 sittings; a Baptist chapel, founded in 1786, with 450 sittings; a Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1880, and seating 1,100; a Primitive Methodist chapel, erected in 1874, with sittings for 1,000, and a United Methodist chapel, erected in 1863, with 400 sittings.

A Cemetery of 7 acres was formed in Nafferton road in 1863, at a cost of £5,500: it has two mortuary chapels and is under the Urban Council.

The Church Institute, in Church lane, erected 1910, contains reading rooms, billiard and bagatelle tables and a Morris-tube rifle range. The club in connection with it has a membership of 101.

The Corn Exchange, erected in 1841, at an expense of £2,600, is an edifice of brick and stone, now used for public meetings, concerts, lectures, exhibitions and similar purposes, and will hold 450 persons.

The Mechanics’ Institute, in Exchange street, was founded in 1837, and has a library of above 5,000 volumes and a large reading room, open daily, and in which also the meetings of the Rural and Urban District Councils, the Driffield Building Society and the Board of Guardians are held.

The Temperance Hall, in Mill street, is used for public meetings, entertainments and similar purposes, and will hold 800 persons.

The Driffield and East Riding Agricultural Society holds an annual show in June, the first show having been held in July, 1854.

The Working Men’s Constitutional Club, Middle street south, founded in 1886, contains billiard and reading rooms and a library of about 1,000 volumes, and in 1913 there were about 150 members.

The Court House and Police Station, in Wansford road, with a residence for the superintendent constable of the Bainton Beacon division, was erected at the end of the year 1896.

The chief trade of the town consists in the sale of corn, cattle and other agricultural produce, linseed cake, artificial manures, seeds, lime, timber and general merchandise. In the town and neighbourhood are flour mills, maltkilns and cabinet works.

The Driffield Pure Linseed, Cotton and Union Cake Company Limited, originally established in 1861 and reconstructed in 1888, has very extensive works here for the manufacture of pure linseed, cotton and union cake, and also for the preparation of artificial manures and other agricultural requirements. At the artificial manure manufactory and seed crushing mill of Messrs. Matthews, Son and Co. Limited, large quantities of bones and special manure and nitro-phosphate are produced, as well as linseed, cotton, corn and oil feeding cakes, the latter being a speciality. There is also a cabinet factory, carried on by Mr. Herbert Sheplierdson, and employing about 50 hands.

The Driffield Canal, made in 1772, commences at Driffield and joins the river Hull about 1 ½ miles south-east of Brigham, the canal proper being about 3 miles in length and has a minimum depth of 6 feet. The river itself was made navigable for vessels of 60 tons, and at a distance of about 20 miles from Driffield empties itself into the Humber.

The corn market is one of the best in this part of the country; the market day is on Thursday, and is well attended: large quantities of corn, fruit, poultry, butter, eggs and manures are disposed of In 1847 a cattle market was established; it is held every alternate Wednesday behind the Falcon inn; Mr. W. O. Jarratt is the proprietor. A pig market is held every Thursday, and large numbers of pigs are bought for Hull and the West Riding. In March and April shows of entire horses are held on Cross hill. A sale of fat cattle is held at Christmas.

Fairs of ancient origin are held on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, August 26th and September 19th, for beasts, sheep and horses, at Little Driffield, about a mile distant. By a curious custom formerly existing here, any person might sell ale on the fair days without a license, a green bush being hung out as a sign that liquor might be had.

The Cottage Hospital, on the Bridlington road, was founded in 1867, and is intended for the relief of the working classes: an accident ward was built and presented in 1886, by the late Richard Holtby esq. of Nafferton, who also, in 1896, left to the hospital a sum of £1,000: there are 8 beds and a cot; the average number of patients is 50.

In the lordship are several hundred tumuli called “Danes’ graves;” they are arranged in order and have been found to contain a single skeleton in each, besides other remains of antiquarian interest. Various barrows in the neighbourhood have been opened at different times, and in some of them British and Anglo-Saxon remains have been found.

Many beautiful springs flow from the edge of the Wolds and feed with clear and pure water the tributaries of the river Hull; these streams have long been famous for the fine trout which they produce; in 1833 an anglers’ club was formed for preserving the streams, and is supported by many gentry from different parts of the kingdom.

The principal landowners are Viscount Downe K C.V.O., C.B., C.I.E. who is lord of the manor, the Earl of Londesborough K.C.V.O. and Henry Broadley Harrison-Broadley esq. M.P., J.P. of Welton, Brough.

The area is 4,980 acres of land and 34 of water; rateable value, £25,134; the population of Driffield township, which forms the Urban District, was in 1911, 5,676, and included 14 officers and 134 inmates in the work-house.

The population of the ecclesiastical parish in 1911 was 5,951.

Petty Sessions are held at the Court house, Wansford road, every alternate Thursday at 11 a.m. The following places are included in the petty sessional division: Bainton, Beeford, Bracken, Brigham, Cottam, Cowlam. North Dalton, Great Driffield, Emswell-with-Little Driffield, Eastburn, Foston-on-the-Wolds, Frodingham North, Garton-on-the-Wolds, Gembling, Harpham, Hutton-Cranswick, Great Kelk, Little Kelk, Kilham, Kilnwick, Kirkburn, Langtoft, Lowthorpe, Lund, Middleton, Nafferton, Neswick, Rotsea, Ruston Parva, Skerne, Sledmere & Croome, Soutbburn, Sunderlandwick, Tibthorpe, Wansford, Watton, Wetwang.

TERRITORIAL FORCE.

East Riding Yeomanry (D Squadron); head quarters, King’s Mill lane; Capt. the Hon. Guy G. Wilson D.S.O. commanding; Lieut. T. G. N. Bardwell, second in command; Sergt.-Major George A. Stephens, drill: instructor.

5th Battalion Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (D Co.), Drill hall, Middle st. south, Lieut. James Elgey; Color-Sergt. William Jubb, drill instructor.

5th Battalion (Cyclist) East Yorkshire Regiment (G. Co.), Drill hall. Middle street south.

DRIFFIELD UNION

The Union comprises the following places:-Bainton, Beeford, Bracken, Brigham, Butterwick, Cottam, Cowlam, Dalton (North), Driffield (Great), Eastburn, Emswell-with-Little Driffield, Fimber, Foston-on-the-Wolds, Foxholes-with-Boythorpe, Frodingham (North), Garton-on-the-Wolds, Gembling, Harpham, Helpepthorpe, Hutton Cranswick, Kelk (Great), Kelk (Little), Kilham, Kirkburn and Battleburn, Langtoft, Lowthorpe, Luttons Ambo, Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Nafferton, Neswick, Rotsea, Ruston Parva, Skerne, Sledmere with Croom, Southburn, Sunderlandwick, Tibthorpe, Towthorpe, Wansford, Watton, Weaverthorpe & Wetwang. The area of the union is 111,421 acres; rateable value in 1913, £135,648; the population in 1911 was 17,785.

Board day every alternate Thursday at the Mechanics’ Hall, at 1 p.m.

Workhouse, a building of brick, erected in 1868, & enlarged in 1910, to hold 200 inmates.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of Services

All Saints’ Church, Rev. Canon William Robert Sharrock M.A. vicar; Rev. Richard Foord B.A. Rev. Alfred Park Senior B.A. & Rev. Edward Stanley North Bulrner M.A. curates; 8, 10.30 & 11.30 a.m.; 3.15 p.m. (on 1st Sunday in month, 2.30 p.m.; 3rd Sunday, 3 p.m. & 4th Sunday, 2.30 p.m.) & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.15 p.m.; daily, 8.30 a.m. &. 5 p.m.

St. Peter's or St. Mary’s Church, Little Driffield; 10.30 p.m. & 6.30 p.m.

St. John’s Church; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon. Tue. Thur. Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.; 2nd Sunday in month, 7.30 a.m.

Our Lady & St. Edward, Catholic, Westgate, Rev. Maurice O’Regan, priest; mass, 10.30 a.m.; sermon & benediction, 6.30 p.m.; daily mass, 8.30 a.m.

Congregational, Exchange street. Rev. Robert Frederick Bracey; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Baptist, Middle street south; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, George street, Rev. Alexander Rowe Walsham (supt.), Rev. Thomas Hunter & Rev. David T. Hatfield; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.15 p.m.

United Methodist, Bridge street, Rev. J. W. Mold; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.15 p.m.

Wesleyan Methodist, Middle street north. Rev. George Christopher Main (supt.), Rev. E. Douglas Jackson B.A. & Rev. John W. Grindell; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Public Elementary (boys, girls & infants), erected in 1873 at the junction of the Scarborough & Bridlington roads, & enlarged in 1896, for 250 boys, 250 girls & 200 infants; average attendance, 195 boys, 150 girls & 151 infants.

Church of England (boys, girls & infants), erected in 1855 in the Pointed style, faced with red brick & stone dressings, & enlarged in 1894 & 1903, for 265 boys, 228 girls & 179 infants; average attendance, 187 boys, 200 girls & 160 infants.

Public Elementary, Little Driffield, for 50 children; average attendance, 34.

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

Most Common Surnames in Great Driffield

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Harthill Wapentake
1Wilson1061:580.48%3
2Smith901:680.19%1
3Brown831:740.48%7
4Johnson641:950.47%12
5Clark561:1090.75%40
6Foster551:1110.70%35
7Harrison541:1130.39%10
8Taylor531:1150.24%2
9Kirby511:1202.45%227
9Pickering511:1201.99%166
11Leason471:13047.00%3,318
12Richardson421:1450.51%30
13Robson411:1491.78%199
14Hodgson401:1530.51%37
15Robinson391:1570.19%4
16Walker341:1800.17%5
16Jackson341:1800.21%8
16Potts341:1804.91%702
16Dry341:18025.37%2,769
20Stephenson321:1910.56%58
20Verity321:1913.31%515
20Railton321:19121.77%2,570
23Bell311:1970.45%49
24Ward301:2040.27%15
24Dawson301:2040.42%46
26Watson281:2180.27%18
26Dunn281:2181.24%204
26Newlove281:2188.28%1,348
29Marshall271:2260.29%24
29Gibson271:2260.58%75
29Sherwood271:2264.04%734
29Lamplugh271:22631.03%3,620
29Escritt271:22630.00%3,537
34Whiting261:2356.91%1,234
35Hall251:2440.23%17
35Nicholson251:2440.53%71
35Rowley251:2442.47%489
35Hornby251:2443.34%657
35Berriman251:24414.53%2,299
35Shepherdson251:2449.12%1,617
41Turner241:2550.24%20
41Cooper241:2550.32%42
41Sedman241:2557.87%1,488
44Horner231:2660.92%176
44Meek231:2667.03%1,400
44Stabler231:2668.98%1,700
47Lawson221:2780.86%165
47Hopper221:2783.12%687
47Nalton221:27843.14%5,054
50Wood211:2910.11%6
50Morris211:2910.86%182
50Simpson211:2910.24%27
50Moody211:2911.63%387
50Stead211:2910.48%84
50Teal211:2912.66%625
50Wrigglesworth211:2913.57%836
50Woodmansey211:29115.22%2,710
58Atkinson201:3050.21%21
58Sharp201:3050.43%75
58Hudson201:3050.28%44
58Sanderson201:3050.53%102
58Hope201:3053.15%770
58England201:3051.46%363
58Temple201:3052.87%699
58Edmond201:3059.85%2,050
66Baker191:3220.64%139
66Hardy191:3220.59%129
68Young181:3390.55%125
68Holmes181:3390.20%25
68Dixon181:3390.30%56
68West181:3390.82%211
68Adamson181:3391.49%420
68Fawcett181:3390.60%132
68Holtby181:3398.22%1,935
75Adams171:3590.77%208
75Barker171:3590.17%19
75Dale171:3590.77%212
75Hickson171:3596.77%1,734
79Harper161:3820.78%231
79Blackburn161:3820.36%83
79Bryan161:3823.42%1,030
79Crosby161:3822.26%683
79Jefferson161:3821.27%395
79Waites161:3825.42%1,528
79Purdon161:38213.11%2,944
79Warcup161:38212.60%2,862
79Ulliott161:38245.71%6,480
79Grinsdale161:38253.33%7,151
89Spencer151:4070.33%78
89Nelson151:4070.64%196
89Etherington151:4073.18%1,028
89Dowson151:4072.74%891
89Knaggs151:4072.57%843
89Fleetham151:40726.79%4,766
89Raylor151:40742.86%6,480
96Scott141:4360.20%47
96Milner141:4360.38%107
96Pool141:4362.82%980
96Stockdale141:4361.28%459
96Reaston141:43623.73%4,619
101Thompson131:4700.08%9
101Hill131:4700.17%41
101Miller131:4700.64%234
101Fisher131:4700.32%94
101Ross131:4701.05%408
101Hart131:4700.87%332
101Barton131:4701.24%476
101Dobson131:4700.33%95
101Reffold131:47068.42%9,581
101Leppington131:47014.44%3,537
101Blakeston131:47017.33%3,964
101Merkin131:47041.94%6,995
113Green121:5090.13%26
113Phillips121:5090.81%334
113Berry121:5090.36%124
113Braithwaite121:5091.00%425
113Marson121:5095.33%1,898
113Allinson121:5092.69%1,080
113Danby121:5092.79%1,113
113Carling121:5093.85%1,455
113Train121:5096.00%2,074
113Straker121:50910.00%2,973
113Monkman121:5092.61%1,048
113Hebb121:50918.46%4,339
125Fox111:5550.23%70
125Dickinson111:5550.32%113
125Garner111:5551.47%658
125Cousins111:5552.18%969
125Maynard111:5554.20%1,671
125Hardwick111:5550.94%434
125Smithson111:5550.82%371
125Horsley111:5551.39%622
125Blakey111:5551.07%486
125Kitson111:5550.87%393
125Ness111:5557.38%2,546
125Petch111:5552.01%891
125Botterill111:5552.84%1,206
125Ridsdale111:5552.10%928
125Allanson111:5554.40%1,739
125Kitcher111:55591.67%12,789
125Rounding111:55518.03%4,512
142Roberts101:6110.15%51
142White101:6110.14%43
142Wright101:6110.08%14
142Bennett101:6110.28%110
142Cross101:6110.73%362
142Long101:6110.61%309
142Potter101:6110.59%299
142Kemp101:6110.82%417
142Briggs101:6110.19%61
142Thornton101:6110.19%65
142Hyde101:6111.50%736
142Lyon101:6112.35%1,119
142Barron101:6111.43%692
142Dickenson101:6111.07%532
142Wiles101:6112.12%1,021
142Tindall101:6111.27%627
142Thurlow101:6114.76%2,001
142Nettleton101:6111.06%526
142Julian101:6117.30%2,727
142Hardisty101:6111.48%721
142Lightowler101:6111.47%715
142Welburn101:6111.99%973
142Hebdon101:6119.43%3,191
142Foston101:61132.26%6,995
142Pilmoor101:61118.52%4,889
142Scotchburn101:61190.91%13,541
168Allen91:6790.25%108
168Hunter91:6790.34%157
168Cole91:6790.81%450
168Burton91:6790.27%120
168Bradley91:6790.19%68
168Newton91:6790.28%127
168Armstrong91:6790.61%335
168Barnett91:6791.18%641
168Winter91:6790.76%433
168Pollard91:6790.40%206
168Allison91:6790.56%314
168Ireland91:6791.66%900
168Rudd91:6791.55%848
168Jessop91:6790.51%285
168Collinson91:6790.73%409
168Ramsey91:6792.62%1,327
168Langton91:6792.99%1,501
168Mathers91:6791.89%1,013
168Boddy91:6791.63%885
168Pinkney91:6791.97%1,053
168Cattle91:6794.52%2,084
168Ringrose91:6793.70%1,774
168Merryweather91:6795.00%2,237
168Raines91:6798.41%3,175
168Lundy91:6798.82%3,276
168Lydon91:67917.65%5,054
168Elders91:6795.17%2,284
168Ezard91:6796.82%2,801
168Easingwood91:67914.29%4,422
168Season91:67950.00%9,914
198King81:7640.22%106
198Gray81:7640.24%123
198Reynolds81:7640.51%321
198Oliver81:7640.48%301
198Porter81:7640.65%414
198Burgess81:7641.01%618
198Field81:7640.50%316
198Bradshaw81:7640.73%457
198Savage81:7640.88%542
198Hood81:7641.13%688
198Metcalfe81:7640.21%97
198Lyons81:7641.14%691
198Hodson81:7641.95%1,150
198Harrington81:7642.84%1,589
198Denton81:7640.42%259
198Lunn81:7640.73%460
198Doughty81:7642.14%1,249
198Rawlinson81:7642.75%1,547
198Copley81:7640.50%317
198Horsfield81:7640.74%462
198Duckett81:7643.20%1,739
198Donkin81:7643.76%1,980
198Waine81:76413.11%4,512
198Witty81:7641.97%1,163
198Jennison81:7642.68%1,512
198Stork81:7642.19%1,266
198Sawdon81:7642.86%1,597
198Crust81:76422.86%6,480
198Mosey81:7645.76%2,694
198Hempsall81:76426.67%7,151
198Tennison81:7647.41%3,162
198Linskill81:7649.64%3,737
198Hillerby81:7647.84%3,276
198Legard81:76414.29%4,766
198Akester81:76411.11%4,080
198Whitehand81:76466.67%12,789
198Jewison81:76412.31%4,339
198Parman81:76457.14%11,617
198Wiliamson81:76440.00%9,271
198Gatus81:76434.78%8,503
198Croforth81:76447.06%10,286
198Hostick81:76488.89%15,484