Chapter III: Published Sources of Information

Having thus gone through what seem to be the most probable wills for his purpose, the pedigree-hunter may profitably wend his way to a large library, and consult printed authorities before he studies others in manuscript.

There is no royal law about this, however; much will depend on where he lives and what he is looking for, and, possibly, he may elect to go daily from manuscripts to printed collections, and _vice versa_. But this chapter will be devoted to information as to the probably most useful printed books to consult.

There are many others which might also prove valuable, and a detailed list of these will be found further on.

Assuming that the searcher, as suggested, has in the early part of his quest looked up Peerages, books of Family History, etc., he may now proceed to other volumes; but the Family Histories and Peerages should always be accessible, for he will often need to refer to them again as new names crop up.

Perhaps he might first consult Marshall’s _Genealogists’ Guide_, which will give him directions (under the names of different families) where he can obtain information about such.

Indeed, the number of printed books which _might_ help form no mean array. To name some of the most valuable of these:--

The _Reports of the Deputy-Keeper_ are issued periodically, and may prove a great assistance to the searcher. He should consult any volumes which look promising, and he can judge of this from the indexes connected with them.

The Deputy-Keeper of the Rolls in Ireland also issues _Reports_, the information in which may be invaluable when Irish families are the objects of a search.

Then, if looking “far back into other years,” at least, into somewhat distant centuries, there are the _Calendars of State Papers_, with their different series, which may reveal a good deal and are most interesting reading on certain points. All have good indexes, by means of which the name required can readily be traced.

The printed volumes of _The Historical Manuscripts’ Commission_ are mines of information as regards many subjects; but, of course, every one cannot expect his ancestor to be mentioned there.

Foster’s _Collectanea_--“An index to the pedigrees in the _Herald’s Visitation_ and other MSS.,” these “other” also being most valuable--is an important and yet disappointing book.

If the required name happens to begin with an A, Foster may prove a veritable treasure-trove of information; but if the initial of the patronymic comes much farther on in the alphabet--alas! Foster is of no use; for his information, compiled in the most learned manner from a variety of MSS. and other sources, was to be given alphabetically under every different surname, but this proved to be a colossal task--too colossal probably. At any rate, the work has stopped short in the middle of the B’s.

Sims’ _Index to the Pedigrees_ in the _Herald’s Visitations in the British Museum_ is not an up-to-date publication, yet is most valuable if the pedigree-hunter is searching in the Museum.

_Lancashire and Cheshire Records_, by Walford D. Selby, may be profitably consulted even by those whose ancestors are not connected with these counties, for the information it affords is by no means confined to them.

The valuable works of Sir Bernard Burke, all full of family lore, may reveal much, besides what is to be learned from his _Peerage_ and _Landed Gentry_. His _Commoners_ especially is of much interest.

Walford’s _County Families_ would prove useful in many cases, and, if an _Irish_ family is being looked up, O’Hart’s _Irish Pedigrees_ is a mine of information. But just a word of warning here--some of this information certainly needs to be verified from other sources before it can be accepted in its entirety.

If still considering Irish families, Pre’s _Occurrences_ will give eighteenth-century items of interest, but is more of the character of a newspaper.

The _Harleian Society Publications_, as well as those of the _Record_ and _Camden Societies_, may prove of importance, especially if somewhat far back information is desired, while for details connected with the Elizabethan Age, the _Cecil Papers_ are invaluable. They are also most interesting reading.

The _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_, a ponderous and important work, contains many copies of parish registers and monumental inscriptions.

The _Index Society’s Publications_ should not be overlooked, nor those of the _Society of Antiquaries_, the _Royal Archæological Institute_, and _British Archæological Association_.

The _Pipe Roll Publications_ may prove of value, and, if the family is of French extraction, the works of the _Huguenot Society_ should be consulted.

The _Historical Register_, published from 1714 to 1738, may supply details between those dates, while _The Annual Register_, which began in 1758 and is still proceeding, should certainly be referred to for the period required. It is especially useful on account of the announcements of births, marriages, and deaths which are inserted regularly.

_Directories_, which have appeared sometimes under different titles for more than two centuries, may prove of assistance in tracing names and addresses, especially if the searcher knows the most probable districts in which to look. The first London Directory was printed in 1677.

_Newspapers_ might also be searched, for they may supply just the required link. The British Museum possesses a great number of old newspapers; but if the pedigree-hunter is not searching in London, he may also find in other libraries a fair supply to meet his demand. The Dublin National Library, for instance, possesses a good store of early newspapers.

A novice might scarcely think of consulting _magazines_ with the view of obtaining genealogical information, and he certainly would not be likely to find what he requires in our popular monthlies; but from certain journals of an earlier date a rich harvest might be reaped.

_The Gentleman’s Magazine_ was started in 1731, and, though it was discontinued in its earlier form, for some years up to the last half-century, it will prove a happy hunting-ground for the genealogical student, especially on account of its “obituary” and other announcements.

An index to the greater number of its volumes has been published separately, reference being given in it to the volumes supplying the required information under each name.

_The London Magazine_ was published from 1732 to 1786, and might be looked up if information is required between these dates.

There are, besides these, certain magazines which are devoted wholly or in a great part to genealogical matters, such as _The Genealogist_, _The Ancestor_, which ran for some years, and _Notes and Queries_. These might well be looked up on the chance of their giving information about the object of the search.

_The Hibernian Magazine_, an eighteenth-century journal, is especially valuable in the case of Irish families. The announcements of births, deaths, and marriages have been printed separately in two volumes, so _they_ are what should be consulted.