THE PAINS AND PLEASURES OF PEDIGREE-HUNTING
Is pedigree-hunting a dry and generally uninteresting matter, valuable
only for the information to be derived from it, or is it a source of
interest in itself, even if considered apart from its results?
To this, as to most questions, probably different answers could be
given. But the replies, if classified, might reveal the fact that,
though those who know little save in theory about genealogical work may
think it unattractive, others who have expended time and talents in the
pursuit almost universally agree that it is in itself--well, if not
fascinating enough to induce the investigator “to scorn delights and
live laborious days” (though this may be sometimes the case), still,
that it certainly approaches thereto.
Of course, a good deal depends upon the tastes of the searcher himself,
for if he takes up the work with energy he will certainly have to
count on many, at any rate, laborious _hours_; but the enjoyment
derivable from the pursuit should much more than compensate for these.
The great joy of the pedigree-hunter is the joy of discovery, and if he
sets about the work energetically he must discover something--yes, and
many things.
It is delightful to find a lost link in one’s own family history, and,
when doing this, the searcher will often unexpectedly come across a
store of information connected with other families in which he is
interested. Then there is the possibility of historical discoveries,
all perhaps springing from the fact of his electing to trace a certain
family tree, for historical characters were but men and women like
ourselves, and allied often to insignificant families.
I do not suggest that the pedigree-hunter can easily rival the recent
Shakespearean finds at the Record Office (the MSS. then brought to
light having lain there unnoticed during long centuries), for he
can only expect to get access to classified documents; yet by means
of these many interesting discoveries might be made, as well as the
definite family information which he requires be obtained.
But sometimes the discovery of a single missing link may elude the
searcher for long--if not for ever!--for ancestors have the knack
of being exasperatingly obstinate when they determine not to reveal
themselves to their descendants. Yet patience and perseverance should
in the end out-master this resolution, and during the search, though
some very dry reading may have to be undertaken and persisted in, a
great deal of interest must also necessarily crop up; for records are
by no means altogether dry reading, as the student of affidavits in the
Chancery and Exchequer Courts can testify.
Besides having to wade through many technical and uninviting-looking
documents, the pedigree-hunter may find considerable difficulty in
_deciphering_ some of these MSS.
The novice, however, need not at the outset trouble himself very much
about this (unless he has from the beginning of his search to refer to
very ancient documents), because he can prosecute the greater part of
his work by means of authorised copies of the required documents, which
are usually handed to him in place of the original MSS. But where the
latter must be consulted and presents certain difficulties, officials
in charge usually show themselves both able and willing to help in the
matter.
Still, a facility in deciphering old MSS. is a valuable asset to the
pedigree-hunter, and may at times be almost a necessity.
Where such is the case, he cannot do better than consult a work
entitled _How to Decipher and Study Old Documents_,[2] by E. E. Thoyts
(Mrs. John Hauteville Cope), which will explain and smooth away his
difficulties in a wonderful manner. It has been styled _A Key to the
Family Deed-Chest_, and is so in truth.
These are some of the difficulties which arise in genealogical
searches, but are far counterbalanced by the results achieved.
Enthusiasm and patience are certainly necessary qualifications of the
successful pedigree-hunter, and endowed with these virtues he has not
much to fear, for the driest details seem replete with interest when
regarded in the light of dawning discoveries.
Nor can a pedigree-hunter work at genealogy alone; many fascinating
subjects, such as biography, history, and heraldry, must almost
necessarily more or less follow in its train, opening up a vista of
further interest and a field for new discoveries.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Published by Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row, E. C.