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England Lancashire  Lancaster

Guide to Lancaster history, family history, and genealogy: parish registers, census records, birth records, marriage records, and death records.

History
Lancaster is an ancient city in Northwest England, and the County Town of the county of Lancashire. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of almost 50,000. It was a settlement and town first recorded in the Domesday Book as "Loncastre" with the word Lon relating back to the River Lune on whose bank it is located. Castre is from the old English and Roman words referring to a fort.

Roman Era
During the Roman era of British history, the Romans built a fort on the hill where Lancaster Castle now stands. The fort was rebuilt in stone around 102 AD. The fort underwent a few more extensions, and at its largest area it was 9–10 acres (4–4 ha). The evidence suggests that the fort remained active into the early 5th century, which was the end of the Roman occupation of Britain.

Little is known about Lancaster between the end of Roman rule in Britain in the early 5th century and the Norman Conquest in the late 11th century. Despite a lack of documentation from this period, it is likely that Lancaster was still inhabited. Lancaster was on the fringes of the kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria, and over time control may have changed from one to the other. Archaeological evidence suggests that there was a monastery on or near the site of today's Lancaster Priory by the 700s or 800s.

Medieval Lancaster
Following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, Lancaster fell under the control of William I, as stated in the Domesday Book of 1086, which is the earliest known mention of Lancaster in any document. The founding charter of the Priory, dated 1094, is the first known document which is specific to Lancaster.

Lancaster became a borough in 1193 under King Richard I. Its first charter, dated 12 June 1193, was from John, Count of Mortain, who later became King of England.

Lancaster has several unique ties to the British monarchy; the House of Lancaster was a branch of the English royal family, whilst the Duchy of Lancaster holds large estates on behalf of Elizabeth II, who herself is also the Duke of Lancaster in her capacity as monarch. Lancaster was granted city status in 1937 for its "long association with the crown" and because it was "the county town of the King's Duchy of Lancaster".

Modern Lancaster
Because the River Lune is not a large or deep river, Lancaster was never able to build itself up as a maritime city, similar to Liverpool, Hull, or even London. As vessels grew in size, the river just could not accommodate them and consequently trade moved to other areas.

Thus Lancaster became primarily a service-oriented city. Products of Lancaster include animal feed, textiles, chemicals, livestock, paper, synthetic fibers, farm machinery, articulated trailers and mineral fibers. In recent years, a high technology sector has emerged, as a result of Information Technology and Communications companies investing in the city.

England Lancaster

Guide to Lancaster ancestry, family history and genealogy parish registers, transcripts, census records, birth records, marriage records, and death records.



HISTORY
Lancashire as a county did not come into being until 1182, and so was not mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086 A.D.). Northern Lancashire was considered part of Yorkshire, and the portion of Lancashire south of the River Ribble was considered a poor relation of Cheshire.

The town and then city of Lancaster (anciently Loncastre) was probably not established as such until about 1182. It is located on the River Lune, and was once a large port until the river was silted up. It was named after a Roman camp, and is best known for its castle and Norman Keep.

Lancaster was granted city status in 1937 for its "long association with the crown" and because it was "the county town of the King's Duchy of Lancaster". It should be noted that Queen Elizabeth II also has the title of Duchess of Lancaster.

ROYALTY
The county and town were made famous during the Wars of the Roses, fought primarily between 1455 A.D. and 1487 A.D. The final victory went to a Lancastrian claimant, Henry Tudor at the battle of Bosworth Field.

After assuming the throne as Henry VII, Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV, thereby uniting the two houses. In an era leading to what is sometimes referred to as the "Golden Age" of Elizabeth the First.

--Getting Started--

Useful links for Lancaster genealogical research follow:

Forebears

On Line Books

For graveyards, please see:

Find a Grave

Lancaster Government site