Updated 27 Nov 2004

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

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FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)


Here are some common questions from my mail-bag, with attempted answers. If you have any interesting questions, please send them and I will add them to this list.

QUESTIONS

  1. Where is Wirksworth?
  2. Just what area do your records cover?
  3. Have you more details of this Family?
  4. Can I copy your Lists?
  5. Is there any Payment?
  6. Any more details on George Bloggs?
  7. Any details of the Robinson Family from Derby?
  8. Where can I stay near Wirksworth?
  9. Are there websites like yours for other Parishes?
  10. Anyone else researching my surname?
  11. How do I search for my surname?
  12. Where is "Greater Littleton"?
  13. How do I find more about this Place?
  14. But my surname is spelled differently?
  15. Know anything about the Spencer Family?
  16. Who was the child's mother?
  17. What was his Father's job?
  18. What address did they live at?
  19. Why no records before 1600?
  20. Is there a grave for my ancestor?
  21. What does "Traveller" mean?
  22. Can you search with your computer?
  23. I can't get to England, how can I search for my ancestor?
  24. Have you made a mistake here?
  25. Will you search other records for me?
  26. Why did you make this Website?
  27. Would you like my Family Tree?
  28. Would you like full details of my Family?
  29. Can I Link my Website to yours?
  30. Do you have records for Matlock?
  31. When did this person die?
  32. Can you look up the 1851 Census for me?
  33. Can you recheck this entry on your Website?
  34. I Have information that contradicts yours, do you want it?
  35. Can I buy your Database?
  36. Will you send me a list of all the people with my Surname?
  37. Can I put my Interests on your Website?
  38. Do you have any other databases?
  39. Can you put me in touch with a Website for another Parish?
  40. Is there a Bulletin Board for Derbyshire Family History?
  41. Why are you interested in Derbyshire?
  42. Do you live in Derbyshire?
  43. Do you have a microfiche Library?
  44. Why is this child younger than I expected?
  45. I e-mailed you but got no reply?
  46. Why are there two children with the same name in the family?
  47. How old was the mother when she married?
  48. I can't find my Ancestor's Father?
  49. Why are there no records of my surname before 1790?
  50. Why does my family disappear after 1800?
  51. Why does the spelling of my Ancestor's name change?
  52. Can you trace a living person for me?
  53. Can you trace a person who lived outside Derbyshire?
  54. Does your database cover ALL the Parish Register?
  55. Do you have a COMBINED Index for ALL your website?
  56. Do you have any Pedigrees from the Wirksworth area?

ANSWERS


  1. Where is Wirksworth?

    The town of Wirksworth is nearly in the centre of Derbyshire,which in turn is nearly in the Centre of England. Matlock is about 3 miles North and Derby city about 12 miles South. RETURN
  2. Just what area do your records cover?

    They cover the whole of the old Parish of Wirksworth, about 6 miles x 6 miles. The places include:
    Alderwasley, Ashlehay, Biggin, Bonsall, Brassington, Callow, Carsington, Cromford, Griffe Grange, Hopton, Hulland Ward, Ible, Idridghay, Ireton Wood, Ironbrook, Kirk Ireton, MATLOCK, Middleton, Shottle, Tansley and WIRKSWORTH
    All except Wirksworth were villages, hamlets or homesteads. However, Wirksworth church is a fine place, and there have always been a lot of "strays" enjoying the ceremonial. RETURN
  3. Have you more details of this Family?

    Probably not. Practically all the information to be found in the Parish Register before 1900 is in the website, and this applies to all the other databases too. Before about 1800, only very basic information was included in the records. RETURN
  4. Can I copy your Lists?

    Certainly, help yourself. Download the bits you want. If you have any problems, get back to me and I'll try to help. If you use the information in your website or a publication, please acknowledge:
    "John Palmer, Dorset, England" and
    "The Wirksworth website (www.wirksworth.org.uk)" RETURN
  5. Is there any Payment?

    No. Running this website is my hobby, and in the tradition of the Internet the information is available free. If you are still desperate to pay someone, give what you want to your favourite charity. RETURN
  6. Any more details on George Bloggs?

    Probably not. Practically all the information I have about individuals is to be found somewhere on the website, though its worth searching through all the different databases there. RETURN
  7. Any details of the Robinson Family from Derby?

    No. My information only covers Wirksworth Area. It is also unwise to think in terms of there being a single family, unless the surname is very rare indeed. Usually there were many families with the same surname living in parallel in a large parish like Wirksworth. RETURN
  8. Where can I stay near Wirksworth?

    I have quite a long list of places to stay In Wirksworth, hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Hostels, self-catering and so on, supplied by the local Tourist Board. Unfortunately I live 200 miles South of Derbyshire, so cannot check these myself. RETURN
  9. Are there websites like yours for other Parishes?

    Yes, quite a lot, though they vary in amount of data given. Have a look at One-Place-Study Index, and also Extra help from other websites, especially the GENUKI Derbyshire page there. RETURN
  10. Anyone else researching my surname?

    Almost certainly. Checkout "Derbyshire Families" or "Big R" (both available on microfiche from DFHS) or Derbyshire Surname Interest List or Guild of One-Name Studies RETURN
  11. How do I search for my surname?

    Checkout the Surname List in this website. It contains over 13,000 different spellings of surnames found in the Wirksworth Parish Registers. If your surname is there, make a note of its code number, then follow the instructions. You'll find other surnames in the other databases in this website. Afraid you'll have to checkout each one, its impractical to "unite" them. If you still can't find your name in this website, checkout "Derbyshire Families" or "Big R" (both available on microfiche from DFHS) or better still "IGI" compiled by the Mormons (available at their Family History Centres or at good Reference Libraries or on (www.familysearch.org). RETURN
  12. Where is "Greater Littleton"?

    If its in Derbyshire, checkout Derbyshire Placename Index in this website which contains 7,000 Derbyshire Placenames. If you still can't find it, but you're sure its in Derbyshire, send me an e-mail and I'll try to locate it in my reference maps. RETURN
  13. How do I find more about this Place?

    Regret I can't help you much here, apart from what I can deduce from looking at an Ordnance Survey Map. I have "Placenames of Derbyshire" in my Library, and sometimes this has some placename histories. Send me an e-mail and I'll have a look. RETURN
  14. But my surname is spelled differently?

    Before about 1800 the spelling of surnames was very varied and non-standard. The surname of one family would change over the years. From 1600 to 1800, the sound of the name was more important than the spelling (eg WRAGG and RAGG). In this website, different spellings of what I consider to be the same basic name are given the same code number. If you e-mail me, I can send you a list of all the different spellings of a name found in the Parish Registers. RETURN
  15. Know anything about the Spencer Family?

    Sorry to say that it is a mistake to think that there is only one SPENCER family. All common surnames would consist of many parallel families living in the same area. If they ever did originate from a common ancestor, he would be lost in the mists of time! To search for your family, you will need the name, date and place of at least one member. RETURN
  16. Who was the child's mother?

    Before Nov 1779, a mother's name was rarely given at a baptism unless she was unmarried. In these cases, its best to try and identify the marriage of the parents. Beware of ambiguity when two fathers of the same name are baptising children at the same time! RETURN
  17. What was his Father's job?

    Occupations were rarely given in the Parish Registers before 1756 for Marriages and 1813 for Baptisms. Some jobs can be worked out from the Churchwarden's Accounts. The best source of occupations is the Census, especially 1851 and after. See my website at Wirksworth Area Census RETURN
  18. What address did they live at?

    In the early Parish Registers, any addresses given were of the Parish (ie Wirksworth parish). Later addresses of the town (Wirksworth), village (eg Cromford, Middleton etc) or hamlet (eg Hopton, Ible etc) were given. Street addresses only appear in the 1841 Census and the Tradesman's Index. Street numbers usually appeared too late for this website. RETURN
  19. Why no records before 1600?

    Because the earliest surviving Parish Register for Wirksworth begins in 1608. However, a few Memorial Inscriptions inside the church go back to 1555. Rare Parish Records of other kinds are earlier than 1600. RETURN
  20. Is there a grave for my ancestor?

    Possibly. Checkout the Memorial Inscriptions in this website RETURN
  21. What does "Traveller" mean?

    It can either mean "Gypsy" (someone without a fixed abode) or it can mean someone travelling away from his home Parish. Often the word "Foreigner" is used for this, not necessarily someone born outside England RETURN
  22. Can you search with your computer?

    Yes. The Parish Registers Database run on my computer allows extensive searching and ordering of the records, if they exist in the first place. If you have identified an individual in this website as your ancestor, but are unable to trace further back, contact me with the details, and I will try with the computer. Usually all the siblings can be found, often the parent's marriage, and sometimes the wife's maiden name can be deduced when not mentioned. RETURN
  23. I can't get to England, how can I search for my ancestor?

    A good start can be made with the IGI, obtainable from your local Mormon Family History Centre or larger References Library. Its also on-line at (www.familysearch.org). Microfilm of the Parish Registers can also be ordered via FHCs. Derbyshire FHS will do searches of a range of Records for their members. Professional Researches will do more detailed searches at Record Offices in Derbyshire for a fee. I can send more information and addresses RETURN
  24. Have you made a mistake here?

    Please send me details! I can re-check against my microfilm library. Hopefully errors are rare, but they have happened in the past. If necessary, I can easily and quickly correct and update this website. RETURN
  25. Will you search other records for me?

    Most of the records I have are already on this website and browseable. I have others in which I'm prepared to do a look-up (not a search, it just takes too long). Here's what I've got:
    Alsop le Dale PRs 1701-1854, Ashborne PRs 1538-1702, Tansley PRs 1840-1903, Middleton PRs 1847-1881, 1841-51-61-71-81-1901 Census for Kirke Ireton, Ireton Wood, Kniveton, Mappleton, Matlock, Parwich, Thorp, Tissington, Wirksworth, Callow, Cromford, Hopton, Ible, Middleton, Elton, and Middleton & Smerrill. RETURN
  26. Why did you make this Website?

    My mother's ancestors (DOXEY) came from Middleton, and my research gradually spread from her family to the whole community of the Parish, which I found more interesting. I enjoy using databases, and found the Web to be an ideal way to display large amounts of data in text. Like Topsy "it just grow'd..." RETURN
  27. Would you like my Family Tree?

    Yes, if it is mostly from Wirksworth. Then I can add it to my records. I'd much prefer it in a "Text-Tree" format. RETURN
  28. Would you like full details of my Family?

    No, I'm sorry but I don't have the spare time to make use of too much detail, unless it happens to connect with my own DOXEY family. RETURN
  29. Can I Link my Website to yours?

    Please do. Let me have the address of your Website and I'll return the compliment. Linking websites is one of the best ways of helping other users. RETURN
  30. Do you have records for Matlock?

    Some. Matlock is an adjacent but separate Parish to the NE of Wirksworth. However, 500 entries in the Wirksworth PRs refer to Matlock, and I also have the 1841-51-61-71-81-91-1901 census for Matlock, plus 9000 Marriages and burials from the Matlock PRs. RETURN
  31. When did this person die?

    This Website contains all the 30,000 burials to be found in the Wirksworth parish registers. However, it is not always easy to connect a burial to a marriage or a baptism. Ages at burial were usually only given after 1813. RETURN
  32. Can you look up the 1851 Census for me?

    Yes, but you can look them up yourself in my 1851 Census section which covers a large area around Wirksworth town. RETURN
  33. Can you recheck this entry on your Website?

    Certainly. Send me the details, I'll check against my microfilm library, and let you know the result by e-mail. If necessary, I can quickly correct any error in my website. RETURN
  34. I Have information that contradicts yours, do you want it?

    Yes please! Its very important that I correct any error that comes to light in my website or database. Readers with differing information to mine are about the most important way of correcting errors. RETURN
  35. Can I buy your Database?

    Yes, the best way to buy it is as a CD of my whole website (see: SALES). I also have a few microfiche sets remaining of the Parish registers 1608-1837. The computer databases from which the website is generated are not for sale. RETURN
  36. Will you send me a list of all the people with my Surname?

    Yes, but first check that you can handle the volume of entries. For example there are about 3,500 SPENCER entries in the Parish registers. It may be easier for you to download the entries you want yourself. RETURN
  37. Can I put my Interests on your Website?

    Certainly. Just send me the details. Try and keep to the format I've used in Get your Interests on the Web RETURN
  38. Do you have any other databases?

    Yes. I have the following for Wirksworth:

    Parish Registers 1608-1899
    Memorial Inscriptions 1555-1991
    Marriage Witnesses 1754-1841
    Census 1841, 1851, 1861 and 1881
    Dates of Birth 1778-1841
    Tradesmen 1821-27-35-46
    Free & Voluntary Present 1661
    Churchwardens Accounts 1658-1727
    Placenames (all of Derbyshire)
    Occupations 1608-1841
    Surname Interest List (all of Derbyshire)
    Ince's Pedigrees 1650-1850

    If you have difficulty searching them yourself on this website, I can do it on computer and send you the results by e-mail RETURN
  39. Can you put me in touch with a Website for another Parish?

    At the moment only a very few of Derbyshire's many parishes has any kind of website at all. Checkout the One-Place-Study Index and the Extra help from other websites, especially the GENUKI Derbyshire page there. RETURN
  40. Is there a Bulletin Board for Derbyshire Family History?

    Yes. There's an excellent BB called DERBYSGEN which has about 800 members interested in Derbyshire Genealogy and History. Here's what you do to join:

    Send a message to: (DERBYSGEN-L-request@rootsweb.com)
    Put nothing in the body of the message except the single word: subscribe
    By return you'll get an e-mail confirming your membership, and explaining all the facilities available.

    This BB is really interesting, I wouldn't be without it! RETURN
  41. Why are you interested in Derbyshire?

    My Mother's ancestors (called DOXEY) come from Middleton and Wirksworth. My interests have spread to the whole parish of Wirksworth, but my interests in Derbyshire as a whole are limited because of the sheer size of the job and my time available. RETURN
  42. Do you live in Derbyshire?

    No. I live near Poole in Dorset, about 200 miles South of Derbyshire. RETURN
  43. Do you have a microfiche Library?

    Yes. I have over 1,000 fiche, mainly containing the Wirksworth Parish registers 1608-1900, the 1841-51-61-71-81-91-1901 Census for most of Wirksworth parish, and "Ince's Pedigrees". All of this was on my website before the end of 2000, my Millenium Project! RETURN
  44. Why is this child younger than I expected?

    Probably because of the gap between Date of Birth and date of Baptism. Baptisms were usually performed within a few weeks or months, but occasionally were over a year after birth. The record is 50 years! Checkout Dates of Birth RETURN
  45. I e-mailed you but got no reply?

    So sorry if this has happened. Sometimes I go on holiday, and sometimes I lose e-mails among the 10 or so I try to answer each day. Please re-send the e-mail, and I'll give it priority. RETURN
  46. Why are there two children with the same name in the family?

    Almost certainly because the first child died young, and a later child was given the same name. Sometimes this happened several times. For this reason, burial records are important. RETURN
  47. How old was the mother when she married?

    Ages at Marriage were rarely given before 1771, and then usually descriptively (eg: "Full" or "21+"). The best way is to try to identify the mother's baptism or her burial. RETURN
  48. I can't find my Ancestor's Father?

    He may have moved into Wirksworth Parish from elsewhere. Young men often married in their bride's Parish, and stayed there to work and bring up their family. Checking the IGI may help to locate his baptism. RETURN
  49. Why are there no records of my surname before 1790?

    Perhaps because your family moved into Wirksworth Parish from elsewhere. Lead mining expanded after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the building of Arkwright's cotton spinning mill in Cromford in the 1770's attracted many workers RETURN
  50. Why does my family disappear after 1800?

    Perhaps they moved out of the Parish. Perhaps they joined a non-Anglican church. Perhaps they were too poor to afford Church ceremonies. Perhaps they were non-religous or Reformists. RETURN
  51. Why does the spelling of my Ancestor's name change?

    Because, when the owner couldn't write and the Churchwarden couldn't spell, the sound was more important than the spelling of a surname. One common Derbyshire name, GREATOREX, is spelled in 46 different ways in the Parish registers. In these circumstances, it is not surprising if a surname changes slightly over 200 years. RETURN
  52. Can you trace a living person for me?

    No. I have to limit myself to the period before 1900, because it is illegal to have living people in my database without their permission. However, my Memorial Inscriptions (not living people!) do extend to around 1950. RETURN
  53. Can you trace a person who lived outside Derbyshire?

    No. For reasons of time available, I have to limit myself to the Parish of Wirksworth. However, if the person lived in Wirksworth for a few years, I'll check my records to see if I can find them. RETURN
  54. Does your database cover ALL the Parish Register?

    Yes, for the dates up to the end of 1899. I have taken the greatest pains to put every entry into the database and so onto this website. If you suspect that an entry is missing, please let me know as soon as possible. RETURN
  55. Do you have a COMBINED Index for ALL your website?

    I used to have one, but it got so big it became unwieldy. Now I have a separate Index for each of my 75 databases. There is also a "Search this website for a Word" facility on the Frontpage. This takes you to the page which has the word you entered. RETURN
  56. Do you have any Pedigrees from the Wirksworth area?

    Yes indeed. You will find 1000 detailed diagrams in Ince's Pedigrees, transcribed from the famous book written between 1824 and 1860 by the Wirksworth solicitor RETURN