This database is taken from an index to the rolls and registers
of freemen of the City of Chester and covers the period 1747 to
1925.
Search the database
Traditionally there were three ways by which to become a
freeman: by birth, by apprenticeship to a freeman and by order of
the Chester Assembly (the governing body of the City until 1835).
Citizenship (ie being a freeman) was valued for the privileges it
confirmed. In order to trade or practice a craft in the city, it
was necessary to be a freeman and by a member of the appropriate
trading company. Until the 19th century, freemen had the right to
elect annually the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen of the city. They
also had the right to vote in Parliamentary elections.
The index can give information about
- Residence (town or parish and sometimes giving the
address)
- Occupation
- Date (made free)
- How (made free)
- Any other information recorded in the index (Notes)
There is no further information available in the index or in the
rolls and registers themselves.
Some earlier records of freemen can be found in JHE Bennett, The
Rolls of the Freemen of the City of Chester 1392-1805, Lancashire
and Cheshire Record Society, vols 51 and 55 1906 and 1908. This is
available at Cheshire Record Office and at Northwich, Warrington
and Chester libraries.
Help
Page
See the Help section for tips on searching the database.
Feedback
Page
Please use this section to send us any comments about this
database - how easy it is to use, whether there are any
obvious mistakes, etc.