Family and local historians frequently encounter the challenge posed by the writing, and sometimes the translation, of the records which might most enable them to make further progress with their research. Many pamphlets, booklets and even books have been produced over the past century to help with old handwriting and abbreviations, but this new work, written by an author who has for years run courses on the subject, is the most practical and comprehensive yet for family and local historians.
Based on some fifty facsimile reproductions of documents of graduated difficulty, culled from many useful sources, it provides transcripts, and translations where appropriate, together with advice on methods of transcribing. The alphabet, with commentary, of the numerous types of letter to be found in the examples (many being in the secretary and court hands which so often cause problems), and illustrations of forms of abbreviation will greatly help to unravel the difficulties of reading. Many documents before 1733 were written in Latin and the author includes an outline of the differences between classical and medieval usage and a vocabulary to cover the section in Latin. There are examples, from the 1400s to the 1700s, of a wide range of hands found in the most usual categories of record used by family historians, such as parish registers, wills and court rolls, and in many others which disclose helpful information on families and localities.
Those who use this book will not need to be persuaded of the great enjoyment to be derived from pursuing research into family or local history and the pleasures of piecing together evidence to throw new light on old times. They may also find great enjoyment in the deciphering of documents, the means to that end. For the solitary searcher or a member of a class or local society, this will be the standard work upon which to rely for many decades to come.
Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
List of Classes of Documents at The National Archives from which Documents have been Reproduced
1. Scope and Use of the Book
2. Transcripts and Transcriptions
3. Differences between Medieval and Classical Latin
4. Symbols Used for Abbreviation in Manuscripts
5. The Characteristics of Individual Letters
Plates with Transcripts, Translations, Commentaries
1. Non-conformist Register of Independents, Bethnal Green, Middlesex
2. Record of Quaker Marriage, Westminster, Middlesex
3.Bounty Papers relating to a Revoked Administration
4. Certificate in Bounty Papers
5. Part of Patent of Invention on Patent Roll
6. Will of John Horne (proved in 1748)
7. Document of Heraldry from State Papers
8. Entries from the Hallmote Court of Widnes, Cheshire
9. Certificate of Residence
10. Final Concord (1658)
11. Bounty Paper
12. Entry in the Privy Council Registers concerning Woods at Clapham, Surrey
13. Bill of complaint in Court of Requests
14. Part of Rental of the Manor of Dacre, Cumberland
15./16. Entries Relating to Wardship
17. Part of Estreat relating to the Manor of Drakelow and Rudheath, Cheshire
18. Hearth Tax of Wentworth, Cambridgeshire
19. Entry in the Privy Council Registers concerning the Brewers of Reading, Berkshire
20. Deposition of John Thompson
21. Bill in Court of Requests
22. Letter concerning proposed Church Gallery
23. Bill from Chancery Proceedings
24. Rejoinder in the Court of Star Chamber
25. Order for Annuity for Joan Lovell
26. Indenture on Close Roll
27. Part of an Act Recorded on a Parliament Roll
28. Bill in the Court of Star Chamber
29. Part of Interrogations and Depositions Made in Respect of a Theatre
30./31. Pedigrees from State Papers
32. Examination in the State Papers
33. Baptisms in the Parish Register of Bromyard, Herefordshire
34. Marriages in the Parish Register of Bromyard, Herefordshire
35. Lay Subsidy of Yeadon, W.R Yorkshire
36. Grants of Administration
37. Entries of Burial in the Parish Registers of Kingston, Surrey
38. Pedigree in the Visitation of Northamptonshire 1618-19
39. Copy of Manor Roll on Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
40. Entry on Close Roll, relating to dept
41. Entries in the Hallmote Court of Widnes, Cheshire
42. Heading and Admission in the Hallmote Court Roll of Widnes, Cheshire
43. Copy of Manor Roll of Nether Wallop, Hampshire
44. Will of John Asshbourneham (proved in 1491)
45. Final Concord (1597)
46. Deed
47. Will of John Taillour (proved in 1427)
48. Final Conord (1648)
49. Bill from Chancery Proceedings
50. Writ of Diem Clausit Extremum
51. Inquisition Port Mortem
Select Bibliography
Latin Vocabulary
Anglo-Norman French Vocabulary
Index
