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.