County Borough of Doncaster: Freeman and Electors

Before the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835 gave Doncaster and most other municipal boroughs a council elected by the ratepayers, the freemen of the town were the only residents entitled to chose, and be chosen as, council members. The freemen also enjoyed a number of other privileges. A complete list of all known freemen is to be found in P. Lindley, 'Freemen of the Borough of Doncaster 1558-1974' (2 volumes, Doncaster and District Family History Society, 1998). From 1835, the borough electorate was composed of the ratepayers and then, after 1948, of all registered adult residents of the borough. No electoral registers are available between 1915 and 1968 at Doncaster Archives but those from 1945 are to be found at the Local Studies Library, Doncaster. Registers and indexes of freemen 1700-1973 (Note: earlier entries relating to freemen are to be found in the borough courtiers.); Burgess lists 1846-1886; burgess rolls 1844-1915; poll books 1871-1872; electoral registers 1968-1973

Unless otherwise stated, everything over 30 years old is available for inspection