Welcome to my web site dedicated to the Houseman name. For the past 5 years I have been researching the Houseman name in the Ripley, Clint, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Menwith, Darley, Dacre and Felliscliffe areas of Nidderdale in Yorkshire. Although originally just trying to find all about my own line I have found it hard to resist adding information that I came across on any of the other Houseman lines as I made contact with other people doing the same research. I would like to thank every one who has contributed to the research, in particular: Jane & Ruth Simpson, Colin Houseman, RuthHouseman, Michael Ellison, & Edward Austin. With this in mind I have decided to publish all the research so far, on this web site dedicated to the Houseman name. For information on Housemans and their relatives click on the Database ( on the left hand side of this page ). This database contains all the information from census returns, birth, marriage and death records as well as photographs of people, places and headstones as well as scans of documents. Please feel free to sign the Guest Book. Please use the links on the left hand side of this page to find useful facts and information about the Housemans and the Dale in which they lived, worked and died. ( If any one has any photographs, certificates or documents relating to the Housemans that they would like to share would they be kind enough to let me have a copy ) If you have any other information concerning any of the individuals contained in this web site or the database or if any of the information is incorrect please let me know so that it can be rectified. Please enjoy viewing the information as much as we have enjoyed researching and collating it and thank you to everyone who has sent me copies of certificates and photographs and for allowing me to use them on the web site. Yours Sincerely C Gary Houseman
In 1841 the census lists 324 Housemans ( according to Ancestry co.uk ) . By 1911 the census lists 838 ( according to 1911census.co.uk ). The majority appear to have been farmers, or connected with agriculture. The ONS list of surnames shows that in Sept 2002 there were 886 recorded instances of the name. The site suggests that this figure be multiplied by 0.93 to take account of deaths giving a total of 824. However, I can find only 211 examples of the name for individuals in the BT on line directory in 2008.
In 1841 - 142 of the 324 individuals listed appear in Yorkshire with 41 in Lancashire. 141 others were spread over 12 other counties. By 1911 - 414 of the 838 individuals listed appear in Yorkshire with 125 in Lancashire. 299 others were spread over 25 other counties. Examples of the name can be found in America, Australia, Canada and South Africa and links to the Darley family of George Houseman have been established.
Probably the most famous example of the name is A E Houseman ( the poet). Unfortunately the correct spelling of his name is Housman. Another example is John Houseman the actor and film producer (1902- 1988) Again not a true example as he was born Jacques Haussmann in Budapest. One true Houseman is Peter Houseman (1945-1977) who played football for Chelsea. There is a junior league named in his memory. A more notorious example is Richard Houseman of Knaresborough. He, together with Eugene Aram, was accused of murdering Daniel Clark in 1744. Houseman turned King's evidence and only Eugene Aram was found guilty and executed. In 1828, the late Thomas Hood wrote The Dream of Eugene Aram, a poem of thirty-six stanzas. Sir E. B. Lytton (when Mr. Bulwer) published his romance of Eugene Aram in 1831, and dedicated it to Sir Walter Scott.