Family research
Last Updated: 3 April 2024
We keep paper burial registers for all of our cemeteries which you can request us to search.
You can also find a wide range of family research information from the Cumbria Archive Service and various online resources.
Burial registers
The Burial Registers for all our eight cemeteries are stored in the Bereavement Services Office in Kendal, together with plans showing the layout of all graves. The registers are not computerised yet, but are all indexed by name and date of burial.
It can be time consuming checking for several entries it is essential that you have a full name and reasonably accurate date of death before a search is carried out. We can check the registers when you are able to supply these details, but please note that if you require us to carry out a general search without dates, a fee may be payable.
Request a burial record search
We do not hold any records of burials in churchyards in the district. These are usually available by contacting the Minister in charge of the church, although older registers may have been lodged at the Cumbria Archives.
Deaneries within the Carlisle Diocese area
Cumbria Archive Service
Cumbria Archive Service care for parish registers, other church records, wills, electoral registers, maps and plans, poor law records, title deeds, and photographs.
The archives of many families, businesses, local authorities, solicitors, societies and schools are also deposited in its Record Offices.
The service has record offices in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal and Whitehaven and can help you answer questions about your family history.
Kendal local studies library
We can help with enquiries relating to family history research:
We hold:
- Microfilm copies of parish registers
- Monumental inscriptions for some parish churchyards and cemeteries
Microform copies of some burial registers for cemeteries in the authority are held but please check for further details prior to your visit by emailing; kendal.libary@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
War graves
You can locate the graves of the war dead in our district using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission online search.