Kirkby (Berry) Family Tree

(Most information from before 1700s should be assumed to be unconfirmed. Even if it is strongly believed to be correct, it is liable to change.
Citations will be provided in some cases, but only turned into proper references once fully confirmed.)

(Note: prior to 1700s it is common to find Kirkby or Kirby intermittently used, as well as many spelling variations and mistakes).

Thomas Kirkby's birth would have to be before 1690.
Thomas Kirkby married Elizabeth Maskew in 1705 in Kendal. ( https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NK38-3P2 )
Elizabeth was 18 years old.

Son George Kirkby was born 1708. (existing citation mentions father as Thomas of Underbarrow)
Son William Kirby was born 1710. (birth mentions Kendal and parents Thomas and Elizabeth Kirby)
(Note: William marries Elizabeth Place in 1736 and they have a son Robert who in a Will probate of 1756 mentions "Cragg, Underbarrow" residence)

Anne born 1714 in Kendal, father Thomas.
Thomas Kirkby born 1716 in kendal, father Thomas.
Elizabeth born 1720 in Kendal, father Thomas.
Henry Kirkby born 1728 in Kendal, father Thomas.
Mary Kirby 1730 in Kendal father Thomas.
Anne Kirby 1732 in Kendal, father Thomas

(Note: naming convention fits our lineage with exception of Anne).

There is still not 100% confirmation that Thomas & Elizabeth Maskew are the parents of our George (b. 1708), but enough now points toward it that I would be surprised if it was not them (see also the notes on Elizabeth Maskew for details).

- The presumed date of birth for George (b. 1708) lines up to the marriage in 1705 of Thomas Kirkby of Underbarrow and Elizabeth Maskew where others do not.

- The Maskews lived at Broadoak, a short walk north from Little Tullythwaite where George claims to be "of" in 1743. (citations from email correspondance with a Maskew descendant)

- Thomas Maskew (Elizabeth's father) had a Chancery legal issue in 1739 where George Kirkby is called to write in as a witness for Thomas Maskew. George confirms he is 30 and of Underbarrow (ergo b.1708). (citations from email correspondance with a Maskew descendant)

- The same case also has an "Anthony Fothergill" defendant (Agnes Fothergill marries our George in 1743). (see also the notes on Elizabeth Maskew for details)

(As I research other Kir(k)bys in the area at the time, it further rules them out and makes Thomas Kirkby and Elizabeth Maskew all the more likely to be our lineage, but... nothing yet absolutely confirms George is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Maskew.)

- There is a Thomas Kirkby and Mary Birkett married in Crosthwaite in 1716 (Though I also have them marrying in Heversham same date 5 Jun 1716). They began as likely contenders for the parents of George (b.1708 or 1718). Annoyingly only the father Thomas is named on his baptism records. But nothing lines up for them with dates or their birth or death info. I realised it was possible they moved away after marriage but this is pure speculation. (marriage citation - https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=R_844944107 )

There is a good chance some Kirkbys headed to the Americas due to the strong Quaker influence of mid 1600s in Westmorland and Underbarrow (Local Quakers: Miles Bateman, George Fox, Margaret Fell, Edward Burroughs et al - more research needed).

Maybe local births could shed some light on it...

Search for local Kirkby kids born between 1700 & 1750: - (Familysearch link x46 results)

(Note: born in Kendal could also mean Underbarrow Chapel, but is lacking more precise information beyond the parish of Kendal)

- George Kirkby born 1708, father Thomas of Underbarrow. (too early for Mary Birkett (m. 1716)) - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7FS-K86
- A William Kirby born 1710 in Kendal to Thomas and Elizabeth Kirby. (v likely Elz Maskew (m. 1705)) - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J926-ZP8
- Anne born 1714 in Kendal, father Thomas. (too early for Mary Birkett (m. 1716))

- Thomas Kirkby born 1716 in kendal, father Thomas.
- Elizabeth born 1720 in Kendal, father Thomas.
- Henry Kirkby born 1728 in Kendal, father Thomas.
- Mary Kirby 1730 in Kendal father Thomas.
- Anne Kirby 1732 in Kendal, father Thomas

While Thomas and Elizabeth Maskew (m. 1705) fit much better for George, it was only when more Elizabeth Maskew information came to light that I found Mary Birkett to be less likely a parent of George. That and the lack of a 1718 birth record for George. Occam's Razor might suggest that local kids born before 1716 are Thomas and Elizabeth Maskew's (m. 1705). It is tempting to assume the other children are also, but we need to locate all other local Thomas Kirkbys to rule them out.

- Thomas Kirkby and Mary Addison (m. 1729) were married too late to be George's parents, but they fit for the local births listed in Underbarrow between 1735 and 1748:

Familysearch.org for local kids born between 1700 & 1750 (listing only Thomas and Mary): - (Familysearch link x46 results)

- Thomas Kirkby 1735 born to Thomas and Mary in underbarrow
- Elizabeth Kirkby 1740 born to Thomas and Mary 1740 in underbarrow
- Bridget Kirkby 1743 born to Thomas and Mary in Underbarrow
- Esther Kirkby 1748 born to Mary in Underbarrow. (If Thomas died around this time I can find no record of it)

Familysearch.org for local kids born between 1700 & 1750 (listing only parents not yet mentioned): - (Familysearch link x46 results)

- James & Margaret Kirkby (Kendal parish)
- William & Mary Kirkby (Kendal parish)
- William & Elizabeth Kirkby (Kendal parish)

(Note: the above is only the Kendal parish including Underbarrow, changing the search to "Crosthwaite" produces 76 different results and will need to be researched later if required, along with "Strickland Ketel" which produces 163 results. Crook (103), Ulverston, Leven, Milnthorpe, and Heversham may also need consideration)

What is becoming interesting is who lived locally to Underbarrow at this same time around the turn of 1700s. The best way to confirm connections is going to be to find Wills, and then visit the archives and see the family names and locations referenced in them. Research into all Kirkbys in a 50 mile radius of Underbarrow around 1700 is looking necessary.

This 1858 zoomable map offers the best reference for locating names of places - https://maps.nls.uk/view/102347904

Link to a Familysearch of Kirkby children born 1700 to 1750 in Kendal parish which shows the parents listed in the area. - (Familysearch link x46 results)
(Changing the location to "Crosthwaite", "Crook", and then "Strickland Ketel", will provide all the local Kirkby families in an easier reference format than Findmypast)

Thomas Kirkby & Mary (Addison), William Kirkby and Elizabeth (Place), (as yet no luck locating their residence) both are families existing around the same time in Underbarrow as George Kirkby (b. 1708) and Agnes (Fothergill).
There is a strong chance the boys are all brothers and children of Thomas Kirkby & Elizabeth (Maskew).

A Robert Kirkby, poss son of William Kirkby & Elizabeth (Place), has a Will or probate amendment in 1756 naming “Cragg, Underbarrow” also says he is a “tailor”. (High Cragg is referenced as Cragg in a few archive articles, but it could also be Orphan Crag, or an unknown location - https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBOR%2FLANCASHIRE%2FPROBATE%2F027693 )

We have a, so far unconnected, George Kirby renting Grigghall from at least 1720 to 1729. He is proving hard to place or date, but might have come from Leasgill, Heversham which is only 5km south of Grigghall. ( https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/106ff998-9273-47de-bb43-c70bf9ee94d2 ) (more research needed).

At Crosthwaite (2-3 miles west of Underbarrow) a John Kirkby is baptising a lot of children at the end of the 1600s. (needs research)

A Miles Kirby (b. 1609 in Ulverston) shows up on 1674 local Hearth Tax records. Also referred to as “Myles Kirkby of Bolston, Strickland Kettle, yeoman”. Miles's parents were a William and Elizabeth (nee Shepherd) Kirby from Ulverston (late 1500s). In 1636 Miles inherited land in Bradleyfield & Strickland Ketel area (North East of Underbarrow) from his mother who recieved it from Adam Shepheard her brother, he in turn inherited it from James Leybourne (poss of Cunswick Hall north of Underbarrow). Miles has a brother and sister; Henry and Margaret Kirby. Henry has a son Henry jr. Miles Kirby may have married a Dorothy Kirby, but other than her death in 1684 I can find no record of their marriage or kids. Also no connection to our Kirkby lineage has been found yet.

Batemans own land all over the place. One Miles Bateman is at Tullythwaite Hall, and likely a brother of same name at Tranthwaite at same time in 1600s. His Tullythwaite sons are likely owners by 1700 (sons are Randall and yet another Miles Bateman, and Katherine is a daughter). (An interesting biography on Miles Bateman can be found here - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bateman-3157 )

There is a Jane Bateman of Crook marrying a seemingly unrelated Edward Kirkby. ( https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=R_844905784 )

There is also Agnes Bateman and Mary Bateman of "Tullithwaite" in 1740 and 1734 mentioned in archives - (warning: both files are >40mb http://rslc.org.uk/api/file/Vol_100.pdf & http://rslc.org.uk/api/file/Vol_83.pdf ).

A Robert Brigges was the tanner at Tullythwaite in 1636, but George Kirkby (b. 1784) becomes tanner and owner of Tullythwaite House in 1800s. If there is a family connection I have not found it. (Tannery is shown - on the linked map at top of page - south of Tullythwaite House, but none shown for Tullythwaite Hall. So, it is currently assumed there was only one tannery but may have been more. For further details search this link for "Robert Brigges" 1636 entry - https://www.british-history.ac.uk/kendale-barony/vol1/pp355-376 )

The Maskews owned Broadoak, Underbarrow and 200 acres around 1700s. (citation in emails from Maskew descendant, but needed to prove it is not the south-of-Crosthwaite broadoak)

In 1652 Thomas Kirkby of Upper Rawcliffe (big land owner 50-60km south) has his estate in Rawcliffe forfeited after the civil war. His 1400s relative, William of Rawcliff, had property in Kendal and surrounds, presumably this was handed down to Thomas. Where did Thomas go after losing his estate? Maybe to Kendal? This Thomas would likely be at least two descendants before George (b. 1708). He is also directly connected to the more ancient Kirkby lineage, so a connect to this family in the Kendal area would resolve our missing link.

There is a record in 1549 of a William Kirkby recieving land in "Strykland Ketill, Brad[ley]feld, and Helsyngton" among other places - https://www.british-history.ac.uk/kendale-barony/vol1/pp276-299 (this may well be William son of William Kirkby of Upper Rawcliffe, mentioned previously there is also this one - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Kirkby-15 )

Interestingly, a search for Kirkby for Strickland Ketel produces zero results for 1500 +/- 40 yrs, then 45 results for 1550 +/- 40 yrs but not one of them seem tie into our George.

Another reason I favour any Strickland Ketel connection is that in our 1881 map of High Cragg sale in the Will there is some land hand-drawn to show the intack, and top right are the words “Geo Kirkby Trustee”. It can only really be Strickland Ketel. This is the only mention of property in that area and is proving something of a mystery. The words would have been penned by Donovan Spencer Berry in his research in 1960s and 70s and likely came from H. Clark resident at High Cragg who he had correspondance with back then. Where are all those documents now, as nothing shows up in online archives?