Pickering Genealogical Records

Pickering 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.

Newton Upon Rawcliffe Baptisms (1866-1914)

A name index, connected to digital images of baptism registers. These record relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

Pickering Baptisms (BTs) (1600-1867)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. These records detail relationships between parents and their children and may detail where they lived and how they made a living.

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.

Pickering 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.

Newton Upon Rawcliffe Marriages (1866-1930)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They are the primary source for pre-1837 marriages. They may record the bride and groom's residence, the groom's occupation, parents' names, marital status and witnesses.

Pickering Marriages (BTs) (1600-1835)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They are the primary marriage document before 1837. They typically record residence and marital status, though may contain age, father's name and other details.

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.

Pickering 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.

Newton Upon Rawcliffe Burials (1871-1989)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Pickering Burials (BTs) (1600-1867)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.

St Peter & St Paul, Pickering Burial Records (1813-1837)

An index of burials recorded at St Peter & St Paul, Pickering_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.

Quaker Monthly Meeting, Pickering Burial Records (1813-1837)

An index to burials recorded in the registers of a Quaker church. The index contains the name of the deceased, the date of their burial and their age where available.

Pickering 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.

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.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 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 Pickering

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.

Pickering 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.

Pickering 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.

Pickering Military Records

The History of the North York Militia (1650-1900)

A history of the militia, supplemented by lists of its officers.

19th Foot Regiment (North Riding) Historical Records (1688-1844)

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.

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.

Pickering Taxation Records

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.

Yorkshire Lay Subsidy (1301)

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

Pickering Land & Property Records

North Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for North 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.

Pickering 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..

Pickering Cemeteries

Pickering Memorial Inscriptions (1800-1916)

Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.

North Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of North 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.

Pickering 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.

Pickering Histories & Books

History of the East and North Ridings (1840)

A general history of the area and its divisions.

North Riding Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for North 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.

Pickering 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.

Pickering 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 Pickering

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.

Pickering Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

North Riding Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of North 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.

Pickering 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 Pickering

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.

Pickering 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.

Pickering 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

Pickering is an ancient market-town belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster, situated on the mountainous district of Blackmoor. It is said to have been built 270 years before Christ, by Penducus, a king of the Britons, who was buried here. The ruins of the castle are still to be seen. Leland, in his Itinerary, gives the following description of this place.

"The town of Pykering is large, but not well compact together. The greatest part of it, with the paroch church and castle, is on the south-east part of the broke running through the town, and standith on a great slaty hille. The other part of the town is not so bigge as this. In the church I saw 2 or 3 tombs of the Bruses, one with his wife in a chapel on the south side of the choir, and he had a garland about his helmet: another in a chapel under an arch on the north side of the body of the choir, and there is a chantry bearing his name. The castle standeth on the brow of a hill in an end of the town, not far from the parish church."

Pickering is now a long straggling place, and contains only about 2000 inhabitants, but is pleasantly situated on an eminence at the bottom of which runs a brook called Pickering-beck. The church is an ancient and spacious building, with a lofty spire. Here is a weekly market on Mondays. Here was formerly Bruse’s-hall.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

PICKERING, in Domesday “Pickeringa,” is a market and union town, and a township and parish, with a station on the Whitby and Pickering branch of the North Eastern railway and having branch lines to Scarborough, Kirby Moorside, Helmsley and Grilling, 223 ½ miles from London, 9 north from Malton, 18 west from Scarborough, 21 south from Whitby, and 32 ½ north-east from York, in the Whitby division of the Riding, wapentake and petty sessional division of Pickering Lythe West, Malton county court district, rural deanery of Malton, archdeaconry of Cleveland and diocese of York.

A Local Board of Health was formed August 11th, 1863, under the “Local Government Act of 1858,” but under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73) the town is now governed by an Urban District Council, and is lighted with gas and supplied with water from the Keldhead springs, by a company formed in 1876. The Pickering Beck, a tributary of the Costa and Derwent, flows through the town, at the west end of which it is crossed by a stone bridge of two arches.

The church of St. Peter and St. Paul, standing on an eminence in the centre of the town, is an ancient edifice of stone in the Norman, Transitional and later styles, consisting of chancel with organ chamber, and a south chapel of St. John, used for week day services, transepts, clerestoried nave, large south porch, and an embattled western tower with spire, containing 3 bells and a clock which chimes every quarter of an hour: the chancel, which is Decorated, retains three canopied sedilia, the capitals of the shafts bearing figures of fighting dragons: there is also a piscina here, and another in the transept: on the south side of the chancel arch is the recumbent effigy of a cross-legged knight in ringed and plate armour and surcoat, and bearing on the left arm a shield, with the arms of Bruys or Bruce, viz.:-“a saltire engrailed and a chief indented;” the same arms appear on the surcoat, and the figure represents Sir William de Bruys, whose family once held a manor here: and in the north transept is the upper part of the effigy of a knight, probably of the same family: in the chapel of St. John, on a modern stone plinth, are two recumbent effigies in alabaster of a knight and lady, representing Sir David Roucliffe. 1407, sometime lord of this manor, and Margery, his wife; the former wears a collar of SS. and is habited in a surcoat with the arms:-” on a chevron between three lions’ heads erased, a chess rook,” being those of the family of Rockliffe: there is also a panelled oak chest with three padlocks: on the floor of the chancel are marble slabs with, shields of arms and inscriptions to Luke Robinson, of Riseborough, Yorks, d. 3 April, 1700, and Anne (Cony) his wife: the walls bear monuments to John Bell esq. of Scarborough, d. 30 Jan. 1782, and Elizabeth (Robinson) his wife; to the King family, 1780—1817; Richard Simpson esq. alderman of York, d. 29 July, 1816, and Bithiah, his wife; Robert Stockton esq. lord mayor of York, d. May 14, 1811; Fothergill family, 1813—40; Piper family, 1810—42; Marshall family, 1806—18; Wood family, 1823—60; and to Thomas Manners esq. d. 1 June, 1824: on a mural monument by the chancel arch is a brass to Joshua Newton “hujus eccliae custodis,” d. 14 Feb. 1712; and on the floor a brass to Tho. Mitchelson, d. 31 Aug. 1860, and there are others to Capt. John Loy, of 2nd Kitchener’s Fighting scouts, who died 1902, and to the Rev. George Herbert Lightfoofc M.A. vicar 1881—1902, and John Kitching esq. J.P. d. 1890, besides a number of modern inscribed brasses, removed from stones and now in the tower, and in the south aisle is a portion of a flat tombstone with a floriated cross: in the church is buried William Marshall, a noted agriculturalist and author of “A survey of the Rural Economy of England,” who was born at sinning-ton in 1745, and died in 1818: the nave arcades are Norman, and have cylindrical columns on the north side, and clustered piers on the south; the whole space on both sides, between the arcading and the clerestory windows, is covered with a most interesting and remarkable series of frescoes dating from about 1450, which, after having been whitewashed over, were uncovered and renovated with great care by the late Rev. G. H. Lightfoot M.A. vicar 1881 to 1902: the church was thoroughly restored and reseated during the years 1876—9, at a cost of 9,000, and affords 600 sittings. The register dates from the year 1560. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £265, including 40 acres of glebe, and residence, in the gift of the Archbishop of York, and held since 1902 by the Rev. Evelyn William Drage M.A. of Christ Church, Oxford, chaplain to Pickering union, and surrogate.

There is a Catholic chapel, dedicated to St. Joseph, erected in 1911 at a cost of £4,000, a Congregational chapel, founded in 1788, also Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels, and a meeting house for the society of Friends. The Primitive Methodist chapel, in Potter hill, erected in 1885 in place of the former chapel, built in 1851, is an edifice of stone in the Italian style, with a pedimental front, and will seat 800. The Congregational chapel, originally built in 1788 at a cost of £282, and since enlarged, is an edifice of stone, with schoolroom and caretaker’s house attached, and is endowed with over 70 per annum, and also with another fund of over £100 per annum, to be equally divided between the London Missionary society and the “poor of the church.” The Chapel is seated for about 300 and has a small disused graveyard attached. The cemetery, in Whitby road, was opened for burials Dec. 4th, 1905.

There is a public hall for public business and meetings. The Police Court and Justice Room, erected in 1878, is a plain building of stone, consisting of residence for the superintendent and a large room for the transaction of all magisterial business. The lock-up, with residence for the sergeant and single constables, was built in the same year. The Liberal club was erected in 1909. The Pickering Lythe and Ryedale Agricultural society, founded in 1854, has its meeting here once in three years, and a dog, poultry and flower show is held here annually. This district is purely agricultural; there are several lime and freestone quarries and brick yards, and one foundry. The market day is Monday. Fairs are held on every alternate Monday throughout the year: these are principally for beasts and sheep, and are well supplied. About half a mile south-west from the town is Keldhead spring; the water rises here in great volume, and is the source of the river Costa, afterwards joined by the Pickering Beck; it is computed that at least 200 gallons are here thrown up per second. Anciently the waters of the Costa here formed a lake, and about 1890 wooden piles and other traces of pre-historic lake dwellings were discovered both in the bed of the river and in the bank adjacent by Mr. Mitchelson.

Pickering Castle, standing on a rocky eminence to the north-west of the town and about 80 feet above it, occupies an irregular triangular area about 500 feet long by 350 wide, the apex being towards the south; the whole area is surrounded by a massive wall, increased in height and strength on the side toward the town, where also it is defended by a wide and deep but dry moat opening to the valley on the north and south-west; the western side is protected by the lofty cliff and by the stream or beck which flows near its base; nearly in the centre of this area, but rather to the north-east, is a great conical and artificial mound, 70 feet in height, and about 220 feet in diameter at the base; on the flat top, which has a diameter of about 76 feet, was the keep, a polygonal structure, some fragments of whose walls, 6 or 7 feet in thickness and 18 feet high, still remain; on the east side the mound is thickly covered with trees and underwood; curtain walls 7 feet thick, and more or less perfect, extend from the keep north-east and south-west to the exterior walls, thus dividing the whole area into outer and inner wards, and the south-western portion has a gate-tower of two storeys, 21 by 16 feet. The main entrance is by a bridge crossing the ditch on the east side and leading up to the outer gateway, which is formed simply by a return outwards of the curtain wall at this point to a distance of about 20 feet, so as to form an inclosed projecting space 12 feel wide, with an arch 15 feet in height, above which the wall, here 7 feet thick, rises to an elevation of 50 feet; to the left of this entrance, at the southwest angle of the outer ward, is the Mill tower, 31 feet 6 inches square, with walls 10 feet thick; it has a basement and two stories above, and on the east side a spiral stair leading through a small turret to the battlements, which afford a fine view; at the north-eastern extremity of this ward is Rosamund’s tower, a square mass 22 by 24 feet, with basement, and two floors above; on the north wall, at the point where the wall from the keep joins it, is the Devil’s or Postern tower, 22 by 27 feet, entered by a Decorated doorway in the basement, through which there is a mural passage 20 feet long by three in width, communicating with the floor above and thence to the parapet of the curtain wall; at about 12 feet from this tower northwards is a rectangular turret 12 feet square, pierced for the passage of the rampart walk. The fortress was no doubt originally a Norman structure reared on English earthworks, and probably some portions of the existing ruins are Norman, although the greater part belongs to the Decorated period; in the west wall of the inner ward, but concealed by a plantation, is a Norman doorway, 6 feet wide, of very elegant design; the nook shafts are gone, but the capitals remain and support a beaded arch, overlaid with pointed arcading in a series of 15 cusps and semi-cusps at each end; close by this doorway is a small building with lancet windows, said to have been a chapel, but now used as a manor court. Near the castle, on the western bank of the Pickering beck, is a circular hill, 90 feet high, crowned by an earthwork about 20 feet in diameter. King John several times visited here and Richard II. was prisoner in the castle before his removal to Pontefract; during the Civil war, when it was held for the King, it was besieged and greatly damaged. Both the castle and town, with a great part of the district called “the Lythe,” belong to the Crown in right of the Duchy of Lancaster. Pickering Hall is the seat of James Mitchelson Mitchelson esq. J.P. His Majesty the King, in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, is lord of the manor, and owns a portion of the land. Manor courts are held here every three years. James M. Mitchelson esq. J.P. Philip B. Reckitt esq. J.P. of Keldy Castle, and Thomas Mitchelson esq. J.P. are principal landowners, and there are numerous other freeholders in the parish. The chief crops are wheat, barley, oats and roots. The area of the township and Urban District is 15,593 acres of land and 32 of water; rateable value, £20,637; the population in 1911 was 3,674 (this includes 6 officers and 68 inmates in the workhouse) and of the ecclesiastical parish, 3,680.

Petty sessions are held at the Court House, Police station, Eastgate, every month on Mondays at 11 a.m. (day appointed by the magistrates); they also meet on any week day, when necessary, to try any persons under the Criminal Justice Act.

The following places are included in the Petty sessional Division:-Aislaby, Barughs Ambo, Cropton, Cawthorn, Goathland, Habton Great, Hatton Little, Hartoft, Kingthorpe, Kirby Misperton, Levisham, Lockton, Marishes, Middleton, Marton, Newton, Pickering, Rosedale East Side, Byton, Sinnington, Thornton Dale, Wrelton, Wilton.

PICKERING UNION

Board day, every alternate Monday, at the Union house, at 1 p.m.

The Union comprises the following townships & places:-Aislaby, Allerston, Barughs Ambo, Cawthorn, Cropton, Ebberston, Hartoft, Kingthorpe, Kirby Misperton, Lastingham, Levisham, Lockton, Marton, Middleton, Newton, Pickering, Pickering Marishes, Rosedale (East & West sides), Sinnington, Spaunton, Thornton-le-Dale, Wilton & Wrelton. The area is 95,930 acres; rateable value at Michaelmas, 1912, £71,263; the population in 1911 was 10,132.

The Workhouse, at Rysea, a little north of the town, is a plain building of stone, erected in 1837, at a cost of £1,100, & will hold 100 inmates.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services

St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Rev. Evelyn William Drage M.A. vicar; William Edwd. Bates B.A. curate; 8 & 10.30 a.m. & 6.15 p.m.; daily, 8 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.

Catholic Church (St. Joseph’s), The Mount, Rev. Edward Henry Bryan, priest; mass, 7.30 a.m.; Sundays, mass 10.30 a.m.; catechism, 2 p.m.; benediction, 6 p.m.; holy communion, 8 a.m.

Friends’ Meeting House, Castlegate; Sundays at 3 p.m.

Congregational, Hungate, Rev. Albert Goldsbrough M.A. 10.30 a.m. & 6.15 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Potter hill, Rev. Joseph Bilton, superintendent; 10.30 a.m.& 6 p.m.; Thur. 7.15 p.m.

Wesleyan Methodist, Hungate, Rev. H. Graham Payn (supt.) & Rev. E. Draper Butters; Rev. Henry G. Highfield B.A. & Rev. William G. White, supernumeraries; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Lady Lumley’s Grammar school Foundation was formed in 1899 under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners & the Board of Education amalgamating the two ancient foundations of the Pickering Grammar school & Lady Lumley’s Charity: the former of these dated from the reign of Edward VI. & the latter was a trust created by Lady Lumley in 1657 for endowing almshouses & schools for the benefit of Thornton Dale & Sinnington: the larger portion of the funds obtained by the union of these two endowments was derived from Lady Lumley’s Charity, and after providing for the elementary school at Sinnington & the charitable part of the original foundation, the residue was expended in building & partially endowing a new school at Pickering. The two old schools at Thornton & Pickering have been closed & the new school was opened in May, 1905, as a mixed school for 90 day scholars (boys & girls): in 1910 a new class room & gymnasium were added: the school is controlled by a body of 13 governors; James Dove Whitehead, clerk & treasurer to the governors.

Council schools

In 1903 a committee of 6 managers was formed for the control of the two first-named schools; Henry Maw Dawson, Hungate, correspondent to the managers.

Elementary (infants), erected in 1900, for 150 children; average attendance, 85.

Stape (mixed & infants), erected in 1896, for 75 children; average attendance, 48.

Church, Hallgarth (mixed), erected in 1857 & enlarged in 1889, for 183 children; average attendance, 16; the school is under the control of 6 managers.

Wesleyan Methodist (mixed), erected in 1856, & enlarged in 1895, for 308 children; average attendance, 272; this school is controlled by 6 managers.

Catholic, Potter hill (mixed & infants), for 50 children; average attendance, 18.

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

Most Common Surnames in Pickering

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Pickering Lythe Wapentake
1Smith761:600.16%1
2Fletcher741:611.43%66
3Pickering721:632.81%166
4Hill671:680.89%41
5Simpson651:700.74%27
6Taylor621:730.28%2
6Wilson621:730.28%3
8Robinson591:770.29%4
9Ward581:780.53%15
10Jackson501:910.31%8
11Watson481:950.46%18
11Grayson481:953.69%382
13Dobson461:991.16%95
13Boyes461:993.27%355
15Thompson431:1050.27%9
15Frank431:1059.86%1,098
17Holliday411:1114.80%577
18Beaver351:13014.17%1,760
19Hesp331:13715.07%1,935
20Harrison321:1420.23%10
20Marshall321:1420.35%24
20Allanson321:14212.80%1,739
20Skaife321:14220.13%2,432
20Eddon321:14250.00%4,379
20Greenheld321:14269.57%5,439
26Hodgson291:1560.37%37
27Wood281:1620.15%6
27Coates281:1620.75%103
27Arundale281:16218.30%2,499
30Gray271:1680.81%123
30Gibson271:1680.58%75
32Chapman261:1740.55%74
32Foster261:1740.33%35
32Kirby261:1741.25%227
35Bower251:1811.15%217
35Garbutt251:1811.98%393
37Baker241:1890.81%139
37Swales241:1891.84%382
37Sheffield241:18914.12%2,316
40Pearson231:1970.28%29
40Hart231:1971.54%332
40Hudson231:1970.32%44
40Dunning231:1975.39%1,117
40Scales231:1975.57%1,142
40Pinkney231:1975.02%1,053
46Bell221:2060.32%49
46Stephenson221:2060.39%58
46Tate221:2061.16%269
46Appleby221:2062.56%573
50Barker211:2160.20%19
50Sellars211:2163.79%883
50Kitching211:2162.24%527
53Atkinson201:2270.21%21
53Fenwick201:2273.30%810
53Brough201:2275.67%1,302
53Snowdon201:2274.60%1,102
53Pennock201:2276.17%1,412
53Blakelock201:22727.03%3,999
59Johnson191:2390.14%12
59Mitchell191:2390.21%23
59Harland191:2391.52%402
62Morley181:2520.95%267
62Wardell181:2524.01%1,075
62Coultman181:25285.71%9,004
65Hood171:2672.41%688
65Heseltine171:2673.82%1,082
65Heselton171:26714.41%3,003
65Milestone171:26723.61%4,080
69Brown161:2840.09%7
69Harper161:2840.78%231
69Malton161:2849.88%2,391
72King151:3020.41%106
72Berriman151:3028.72%2,299
72Foxton151:3024.36%1,327
72Sawdon151:3025.36%1,597
72Hawson151:30215.00%3,318
77Armstrong141:3240.95%335
77Nicholson141:3240.29%71
77Gill141:3240.23%54
77Douglas141:3241.71%594
77Eden141:3244.03%1,317
77Scholefield141:3242.29%801
77Coverdale141:3243.04%1,048
77Goodwill141:3243.73%1,242
85Hutchinson131:3490.28%77
85Gaines131:3495.58%1,844
85Salton131:34915.29%3,678
85Loy131:34911.30%3,037
85Kneeshaw131:3495.24%1,753
90Robertson121:3782.38%969
90Hunter121:3780.45%157
90Small121:3784.96%1,781
90Metcalf121:3780.61%246
90Marlow121:3786.59%2,214
90Dowson121:3782.19%891
90Welburn121:3782.39%973
90Parnaby121:3786.56%2,203
90Holtby121:3785.48%1,935
90Estill121:37811.76%3,276
100Carr111:4120.26%89
100Barber111:4120.51%219
100Hardy111:4120.34%129
100Spence111:4120.54%235
100Cousins111:4122.18%969
100Skelton111:4120.88%405
100Linton111:4123.57%1,474
100Medd111:4122.71%1,164
100Nicolls111:41252.38%9,004
100Burrowes111:41284.62%12,159
110Wright101:4540.08%14
110Turner101:4540.10%20
110Lewis101:4540.63%319
110Richardson101:4540.12%30
110Milner101:4540.27%107
110Lightfoot101:4541.52%743
110Winn101:4541.25%615
110Humble101:4544.07%1,764
110Leng101:4541.80%882
110Scarth101:4542.92%1,337
110Boak101:45422.73%5,597
110Nellis101:45421.74%5,439
110Stockill101:4548.40%2,986
110Brisby101:45425.64%6,057
124Walker91:5040.05%5
124Cooper91:5040.12%42
124Burton91:5040.27%120
124Bowman91:5041.19%645
124Henry91:5041.91%1,021
124Metcalfe91:5040.23%97
124Cullen91:5043.32%1,642
124Hardwick91:5040.77%434
124Colley91:5041.02%553
124Dove91:5041.43%777
124Stockdale91:5040.82%459
124Cass91:5041.15%628
124Craggs91:5042.65%1,345
124Boston91:5045.88%2,499
124Dring91:5046.52%2,710
124Dodsworth91:5041.16%633
124Hugill91:5041.67%910
124Monkman91:5041.96%1,048
124Leaf91:5043.07%1,536
143Scott81:5670.11%47
143Dixon81:5670.13%56
143Woods81:5671.69%1,020
143Bolton81:5670.43%279
143Collier81:5670.94%580
143Mercer81:5671.24%756
143Moon81:5671.83%1,098
143Dodds81:5671.65%1,004
143Stringer81:5670.57%352
143Temple81:5671.15%699
143Liddell81:5677.41%3,162
143Frankland81:5670.82%509
143Billingham81:56714.55%4,820
143Hebden81:5671.19%727
143Yearsley81:56780.00%14,395
143Kilvington81:5671.72%1,040
143Stainsby81:5674.97%2,407
143Smailes81:5676.40%2,891
143Haxby81:5673.49%1,874
143Huby81:5673.49%1,874
143Just81:56719.51%5,875
143Ethell81:56712.90%4,467
143Smaile81:567100.00%16,907
143Broug81:567100.00%16,907
143Plac81:567100.00%16,907
168Hall71:6480.06%17
168Cook71:6480.16%86
168Dawson71:6480.10%46
168Ford71:6480.47%331
168Lawson71:6480.27%165
168Carpenter71:6483.29%1,980
168Amos71:6484.27%2,362
168Clare71:6483.87%2,222
168Gamble71:6480.99%688
168Collinson71:6480.57%409
168Swann71:6481.72%1,159
168Jaques71:6481.06%742
168Waterworth71:6481.38%962
168Milson71:6484.83%2,603
168Birdsall71:6481.54%1,060
168Rex71:6486.73%3,241
168Myres71:6485.34%2,811
168Howling71:64825.93%7,669
168Swalwell71:64810.45%4,252
168Easterby71:6487.37%3,426
168Masheder71:648100.00%18,720
168Tessyman71:64831.82%8,765
168Hepples71:64823.33%7,151
168Marfitt71:64838.89%9,914
168Finkill71:64850.00%11,617
168Radsdale71:648100.00%18,720
194Williams61:7560.16%98
194Green61:7560.07%26
194Holmes61:7560.07%25
194Barnes61:7560.26%202
194Elliott61:7560.24%173
194Gregory61:7560.35%297
194Middleton61:7560.24%169
194Park61:7560.84%676
194Benson61:7560.30%244
194Hubbard61:7562.60%1,861
194Richmond61:7560.51%431
194Waite61:7560.35%290
194Craven61:7560.18%117
194Coulson61:7560.61%504
194Hind61:7561.25%1,010
194Sellers61:7560.69%561
194Boddy61:7561.08%885
194Bartram61:7563.02%2,084
194Piercy61:7562.34%1,700
194Ruddock61:7562.50%1,795
194Keast61:75640.00%11,145
194Ruston61:7562.21%1,642
194Botham61:7563.39%2,255
194Farmery61:7562.60%1,861
194Evers61:7563.28%2,203
194Hoggard61:7562.78%1,961
194Caisley61:75631.58%9,581
194Hartnoll61:75685.71%18,720
194Colly61:75615.79%6,158
194Lumbard61:75620.00%7,151
194Dursley61:75646.15%12,159
194Nesfield61:7565.83%3,257
194Marflitt61:7569.38%4,379
194Nawton61:75614.29%5,769
194Lownsborough61:75618.75%6,859
194Masshedar61:75666.67%15,484
194Gascogne61:756100.00%21,121
194Tause61:75646.15%12,159
194Whyvill61:75685.71%18,720