Robin Handley's Genealogy

>>> Whether you're a family member, fellow genealogist, or just a visitor, why not say hello? <<<

Origin of the Name Handley:

Sources differ on the origin of the name. The following are possibilities:

Derived from the old English words: 'heah' (meaning high), or 'han' (meaning boundary stone) and 'leah' (meaning wood or clearing). Note that 'hean' is the dative case of 'heah'.
Derived from the place in Normandy called Andeli. It is said that the 'Handleys' were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their leige lord, for their distinguished assistance at the battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. Supporting evidence for this is that Richard d'Andeli is listed as one of the knights accompanying William the Conqueror on his invasion of England in 1066. However, there is no place in Hampshire called 'Handley'...

Other forms of Handley: Hanly, Hanlye, Hanley, Handeley, Handleigh, Handlay, Handlaye, Handleye, Handlow, Handelow

History of the name Handleigh - thanks to Thursday Handleigh

My Handleys:

In 1799 William Handley set up a Wheelwright business in Back Lane, Sedbergh. The family lived in Wheelwright cottage, and worked in the workshop, next door.

In 1902, the coronation year of Edward VII, pictures were taken of Handleys outside their workshop. This picture shows (from left to right): (Thomas) Edward, and his sons: James, Stephen, Alfred, and Frank Handley. This picture, obviously taken at the same time, has Edward and Frank having swapped places. Another picture of Handleys outside their workshop, can be seen here.

During a family holiday in the area, in August 2005, I took this picture which shows what Wheelwright cottage and, what was, Handley's workshop looked like then. The workshop is now a book shop called The Sleepy Elephant, and the cottage is a Bed and Breakfast. The nice lady who runs this invited me inside. During the same holiday, I also dragged the family around all the burial places in the area, and took pictures of Handley gravestones. I have compiled these, along with a summary of the family information extracted from them, here.

Here is an aerial view of Sedbergh, taken by Simon Ledingham, showing St. Andrews' Church and Wheelwright Cottage (white building in the bottom right hand corner).

I am constantly updating a database of my relatives, particularly my Handley ancestors. This can be browsed, on-line, here. The on-line form of the database is automatically generated from my master family tree database using my own software, called: GED2JS. The database currently holds over 1100 individuals, over 250 of whom are Handleys, and all of whom are connected by blood or marriage. I have a lot of people to thank for information that has gone into it.

The earliest of my ancestors in this database are Henry Handley and his wife, Margaret, who were born in the 16th century. I have generated a descendancy tree from them here.

Westmorland/Yorkshire Records:

Handleys in the North Westmorland 1851 Census
Handleys in the Sedbergh, Yorkshire 1891 Census - thanks to GENUKI Yorkshire (Colin Hinson)
Handleys in the 1841-1901 Askrigg, Yorkshire Census' - thanks to Beaulands
Handleys in the 1841-1901 Fell End, Westmorland Census' - thanks to Hector's home page
Handley Christening/birth dates in Westmorland, from the British Vital Records
Handley Christening/birth dates in Yorkshire, from the British Vital Records
Handley Marriage dates in Westmorland, from the British Vital Records
Handley Marriage dates in Yorkshire, from the British Vital Records
Morland Parish Registers (1538-1742) - transcribed from paper to electronic form by Barb Baker

In the 1669-1772 Hearth Tax Roll for the Fell End (SE) Angle of Ravenstonedale, John HANDLEY, Isaac HANDLEY, Abraham HANDLEY (#1), Abraham HANDLEY (#2) and Joseph HANDLEY are listed as tax paying householders. - thanks to Hector's home page

On 28 June 1777 Isaac Handley of Narthwate left by his will to his son Thomas his estate called Wandall to have and to hold according to the custom of the manor of Ravenstonedale; also all his tithes of corn, grain, hay, wool, lambs, calves, foals, bees, etc. To his youngest son, Joseph, he left his estate called Howgill, consisting of Fall, Fall Parrock, Backside and Great Intake and tithes etc. "To my brother Edward Smith of Townhead, cordwainer, the building or Meeting House at Street, with a garth or burying place at Dovengill Lane Head, also a garth or burying place at Wath." - thanks to Hector's home page

In the 'professions and trades' section of Baines' Directory & Gazetteer Directory of 1822 for Sedbergh, Joseph HANDLEY is listed as a Grocer & Draper, Thomas HANDLEY is listed as a Grocer, Draper, & Ironmonger, and William HANDLEY is listed as a Clock & Watch Maker. - thanks to GENUKI Yorkshire (Colin Hinson)

In the 'professions and trades' section of Pigot's directory of 1829 for Sedbergh, Thomas HANDLEY is listed as a Shoemaker, and William HANDLEY is listed as a Wheelwright. - thanks to GENUKI Yorkshire (Colin Hinson)

In the 1829 Parson & W. White History, Directory & Gazeteer of Cumberland & Westmorland, John HANDLEY is listed as living at Narthwaite, Fell End, and Thomas HANDLEY is listed as living at Wandale, Fell End. - thanks to Hector's home page

In the 'professions and trades' section of Pigot's directory of 1834 for Sedbergh, Mary HANDLEY is listed under Academies & Schools, William HANDLEY is listed under Carpenters & Wheelwrights, and Thomas HANDLEY is listed under Miscellaneous as a Clogger. - thanks to GENUKI Yorkshire (Colin Hinson)

Nicholls': History & Traditions of Ravenstonedale (1877) states that the Fell End meeting house dated from 1670, but had not been used within living memory, though burials were sometimes held in the yard. A that time Mr Thomas HANDLEY, of Narthwaite, held meetings on his farm in a barn. - thanks to Hector's home page