Chapter IV: Miscellaneous Ms. Documents of Value to the Searcher

We have already considered the subject of Wills and Parish Registers. Besides these, there is a multitude of miscellaneous manuscripts from which genealogical information can be gleaned; but what they are will, in a certain degree, depend on where the pedigree-hunter is searching.

If in London, the treasures of the Record Office are at his disposal, which MS. treasures claim a later notice to themselves. The Dublin Record Office, in a lesser degree, will supply many somewhat similar documents, while in Edinburgh he also can effect much.

So, in whichever of the British Isles he is located, certain MSS. are at his disposal. To enumerate the most important of these:--

Records of _legal matters_ often throw light on a dark subject. For these, _Chancery Bills_, their _Answers_ and _Exchequer Degrees_, should principally be searched. Indexes to such Bills must first be consulted, then the manuscripts themselves. This will be rather a long task, as such documents are very numerous and often lengthy, but the result can scarcely fail to be beneficial.

_Assize Rolls_, which give particulars of cases tried before itinerating judges, may also reveal a good deal.

_Deeds_ of various kinds, leases, etc., open up a wide field for the searcher; in fact, more leisure time than is, as a general rule, at most people’s disposal might profitably be employed on the Deeds alone.

Wills having been hunted up previously, it must not be inferred that, when a man has died intestate, nothing further can be discovered about his property or heirs.

In such cases, where personal estate is concerned, an administrator or administratrix would be appointed, probably his widow or next-of-kin.

In the _Administration Bond_, to which the searcher should direct his attention, it is very possible that the names of the children of the deceased may be found; if not, the mere name of the administrator may reveal a good deal. Indexes are, of course, procurable to all these and similar documents.

_Marriage Licences_ and _Marriage Licence Bonds_ are often profitable sources of information.

For nineteenth-century searches, _Census Returns_ may be consulted, and _Hearth Money Rolls_ (referring to small taxes levied on individuals) for those of earlier date--from 14 Charles II. to 1 William and Mary.

These, or similar documents, can be found in whichever of the British Isles the pedigree-hunter is searching; but others, which may possibly also serve his purpose, can only (unless where copies exist) be consulted in definite centres.

_Heraldic Records_, which comprise armorial information, important pedigrees, funeral certificates, etc., are preserved in the College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street, London, and there is a similar College of Arms, presided over by the Ulster King of Arms, in Dublin Castle.

A most valuable library is connected with the College of Arms in London, and, of course, the documents stored in the office itself are of inestimable value.

All searches must be paid for, however; there are stated fees and certain rules which cannot be infringed.

_Monastic Bodies_ have often preserved intact their most valuable records, and where such might prove useful, they will, in many cases, be found accessible. These registers principally consist of Chronicles, Registers, and Martyrologies. The two former would be found the most generally useful, though, naturally, they presuppose that a somewhat early date is required.

The records of _Freemen_ and of _Municipal Bodies_ may, on occasions, prove of value; nor should those connected with _Grammar_ and _Public Schools_ be overlooked.

The Registers of the various Diocesan Courts will supply information about the _Clergy_, and the dates of their appointment to their benefices will be found in a series of _Institution Books_, which can be consulted in the Public Record Office.

For members of the _Medical Profession_ the records of their respective universities will supply information, and there is a printed work, the _Roll of the College of Physicians_, by Dr. George Munk, the Registrar of that College, which gives additional biographical details.

Lists of members of the _Royal College of Surgeons_ and of _Dental Practitioners_ can also be consulted.

Records connected with _Barristers_ and the Bar are preserved in Lincoln’s Inn, the Middle and Inner Temple, and Gray’s Inn.

For _Attorneys_ and _Solicitors_ reference should be made to the _Rolls_ and _Catalogues of Attorneys_, also the _Admission Books_ giving dates, names, and residences; the latter extend from 1729 to 1848. These documents can be looked up in the Record Office.

Here, also, the papers formerly preserved in the War Office are now kept. This series, which is valuable if particulars connected with the Army are required, dates from 1700, but its Muster Rolls only from 1760.

There are army lists and muster rolls to be found in other places also. Sims (who has been referred to previously) enumerates these records, and mentions where they are now kept.

Several old _Navy Lists_ can be found in the British Museum, and the Navy Office keeps registers of the officers and men, with date and place of their deaths. The ages of the men are also entered.

_Universities_, though their lists of graduates are published, have treasures of information only obtainable at first hand. So, where one or more of these is likely to prove valuable, their records should, if possible, be searched. These are principally the _Books of Admission_ to the different colleges, the university, _Matriculation Books_, and the _Degree Books_.

These give details of parentage and many other items.