Reader Guide 8 RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

Reader Guide 8 RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 3 BIBLIOGRAPHIES 3 GUIDES 4 FAMILY HISTORIES 6 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDS 9 POLL BOOKS AND ELECTORAL REGISTERS 10 USEFUL ADDRESSES 00 03/0

INTRODUCTION This guide aims to help you find published genealogical sources in our Humanities collections. It does not attempt to give advice on genealogical research. If you are not experienced in this field you should read one of the many introductions to the subject before beginning. Some general manuals on genealogy are included in the section on Guides below. There are also some excellent introductions to genealogy which are available on the Internet (see Internet resources on the subject page for Genealogy within Humanities Resources for Research (http://www.bl.uk/resources/humanities); the websites of GENUKI and the Society of Genealogists have links to information leaflets from their home pages). The open shelves of the reading rooms hold many genealogical reference works, a selection of which is listed here with shelfmarks. These are prefixed as follows: HLL HLM HLQ HLR HLR Enquiry Desk HLX HUR OPL RAR Humanities - Floor 1 oversize sequence Humanities - Floor 1 microfiche sets Humanities - Floor 1 Quick Reference Humanities - Floor 1 main sequence Humanities - Floor 1 Reference Enquiry Desk Humanities - Floor 1 Publications of the Harleian Society Humanities - Floor 2 main sequence Social Sciences Reading Room Rare Books and Music Reading Room The main collection of open shelf genealogical works is traced by using the Humanities and Social Sciences open-access reference books subset of the Integrated Catalogue (http://catalogue.bl.uk). However, most genealogical works are kept in storage. These can be traced and ordered using the Integrated Catalogue. The Integrated Catalogue offers both Basic and Advanced search functions. You can also Browse on a subject heading such as Genealogy or on a Dewey Decimal Classification number (e.g. a Dewey number taken from this guide). 1

For historical reasons subject information differs in the various subsets of the Integrated Catalogue. In the subset General printed books pre-1975 the catalogue records do not generally contain subject data. For most material published before 1975, therefore, you need to search by title keyword or by general keyword to find items on a particular subject or use the printed subject indexes which cover material acquired between 1881 and 1975. For titles of open shelf works relating to parish registers follow the link on the subject page for Genealogy in Humanities Resources for Research. http://www.bl.uk/collections/wider/subguides/genealguide.html Please note that whilst this guide focuses on the Humanities Reading Room selection of genealogical open shelf works, the Gentleman s magazine is held in the Rare Books and Music Reading Room and reference books relating to poll books and electoral registers are mostly held in the Social Sciences Reading Room. Primary genealogical material such as letters and diaries can be found in Western Manuscript collections. Further sources held include local collections compiled by antiquaries such as Davy s Suffolk Collection. An overview of manuscript collections is provided on the Library s website. You may access and check the manuscripts catalogue at http://molcat.bl.uk before planning a visit to the Manuscripts Reading Room. Uniquely in the Library, genealogical records of British families in India are held in Asia, Pacific & Africa Collections in the Asian & African Studies Reading Room. The records include certificates of baptisms, marriages and burials from 1698 to 1947. Many other primary sources for genealogical research on the British in South Asia are held. For further information see the Asia, Pacific & Africa Collections pages on the Library s website. Many holdings are now listed on the database Access to Archives (http://www.a2a.org.uk/) 2

BIBLIOGRAPHIES Filby, P. W. American and British genealogy and heraldry: a selected list of books. 3rd ed. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1983. 1982-1985 supplement. 1987. (HLR929.3) Gatfield, G. Guide to printed books and manuscripts relating to English and foreign heraldry and genealogy. London: Mitchell and Hughes, 1892. (HLR929.016) Humphery-Smith, C.R. A genealogist s bibliography. Chichester: Phillimore, 1985. (HLR929.342) Raymond, S. English genealogy: an introductory bibliography. 3rd ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1996. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.342 P) The useful series of county genealogical bibliographies by S. Raymond which began publication in 1991 is on the open shelves and starts at HLR929.34238. A further useful series compiled by S. Raymond British genealogical periodicals can be found at HUR929.3. GUIDES Cory, K.B. Tracing your Scottish ancestry. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Polygon, 2004. (HLR929.1072) Davis, B. Irish ancestry: a beginner s guide. 3rd ed. Bury: Federation of Family History Societies, 2001. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.3415) Fitzhugh, T.V.H. The Dictionary of genealogy. 5th ed. Revised by Susan Lomas for the Society of Genealogists. London: A & C Black, 1998. (HLR929.1) Grenham, J. Tracing your Irish ancestors: the complete guide. 3rd ed. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 2006. (HLR929.109415) 3

Guildhall Library. A guide to genealogical sources in Guildhall Library. Compiled by R. Harvey. 4th ed. London: Guildhall Library, 1997. (HLR Enquiry Desk 026.929) Herber, M. D. Ancestral trails: the complete guide to British genealogy and family history. 2nd ed. Stroud: Sutton, 2004. (HLR929.341) National Archives of Scotland. Tracing your Scottish ancestry: a guide to ancestry research in the National Archives of Scotland. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Mercat Press, 2003. (HLR929.109411) Pelling, G. Beginning your family history. 7th ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1998. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.1072) Proudfoot, K. Genealogy for beginners; based on the original book by Arthur J. Willis. 7th ed. Chichester: Phillimore, 2003. (HLR929.10941) Saul, P. and Markwell, F.C. Tracing your ancestors: the A-Z guide. 5th ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1995. (HLR929.341) FAMILY HISTORIES To find published family histories in the Integrated Catalogue, choose Subject and Exact phrase options and enter the words Robinson Family, for example. A list of titles is then displayed. This approach is useful mainly for works published after 1975. Published family histories can also be found in the volumes of the British Library general catalogue of printed books to 1975. Note that the entry for a family history appears before the first entry for an author of that name, e.g. ROBINSON, Family of before ROBINSON (Albert). Privately printed family histories may not be in the Library s collections; they may however be listed in Thomson, T. R. A catalogue of British family histories. 3rd ed. with addenda. London: Research Publishing Co., 1980. (HLR929.20941) 4

Further privately printed family histories can be traced in the online catalogue of the Society of Genealogists library. There is a link on the Genealogy web page within Humanities Resources for Research (http://www.bl.uk/resources/humanities). If you cannot trace a separately published family history, you may find useful references to passages in periodicals, series, and reference books in the following guides: Marshall, G.W. The genealogist s guide. Guildford: Billing and Sons, 1903. (HLR929.341) Whitmore, J.B. A genealogical guide. London: Walford Bros., 1953. (HLR929.20942) Barrow, G.B. The genealogist s guide. London: Research Publishing Co., 1977. (HLR929.20941) The following works, frequently cited in the guides above (by Marshall, Whitmore and Barrow), are on the open shelves: C., G.E. [i.e. G. E. Cokayne] The complete peerage. 13 vol. London: St Catherine Press, 1910-59. (HLR929.72) A new additional volume, numbered 14, was published Stroud: Sutton, 1998. The genealogist (Old and new series). (HLR929.05) Gentleman s magazine. (RAR052) Harleian Society. Publications. (HLX929.341) Notes and queries. (HLR052) Victoria County Histories. (HLL942) London County Council. Survey of London. (HLR942.1) 5

Many, but not all, of the other works cited such as county histories and visitations, are also on the open shelves. Marshall, Whitmore and Barrow also cite family entries found in the many genealogical and heraldic works published by Burke s. Frequently the citation is to an early edition of a work no longer kept on the open shelves. To identify the particular edition required, you need to consult Burke s family index. London: Burke s Peerage Limited, 1976. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.2). The index is preceded by a bibliography of Burke s books which is annotated with British Library shelfmarks. Thousands of family records can be found in the following: Burke s peerage, baronetage and knightage, clan chiefs, Scottish feudal barons. 107th ed. 3 vol. Stokesley: Burke s Peerage & Gentry, 2003. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.72) Also available online. The database also includes records from Burke s landed gentry. Debrett s peerage and baronetage. London: Debrett s Peerage; Macmillan, 2003. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.72) An online edition is available via the database xreferplus. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDS Resources cited here are used typically for genealogical research. For further biographical resources see the separate reader guide Finding biographical information. British and Irish biographies 1840-1940. Cambridge: Chadwyck Healey, 1985-1991. (HLM920.041). Microfiche. A collection of biographical sources consisting of 266 separate titles. In addition to biographical dictionaries it contains official lists, directories and yearbooks. Entries for all these titles can be found on the Humanities and Social Sciences openaccess reference books subset of the Integrated Catalogue. 6

Gentleman s magazine, 1731-1868. (RAR052) Gentleman s magazine. General indexes. 1753-1821. 6 vol. (RAR052) Gentleman s magazine. An index to the biographical and obituary notices in the Gentleman s magazine, 1731-1780. By R.H. Farrar. London, 1891. [Index Society. vol. 15.] (RAR052) Musgrave, Sir W. Bart. Obituary prior to 1800 as far as relates to England, Scotland and Ireland. 6 vol. London, 1899-1901. [Harleian Society Publications. vol. 44-49] (HLX929.341) The Times is an important source both for obituaries and for general biographical reference. It is available on microfilm in Humanities - Floor 2 from 1785 to the present. In addition to the printed indexes held at HUR072.1, there are various CD-ROM and online databases relating to The Times. The most important are the two online databases providing full-text access. Palmer s full-text online spans the years 1800 to 1870 whilst Times digital archive covers the entire period 1785 to 1985. For obituaries in other newspapers you should visit the Newsroom at St Pancras. Educational and professional records Biographical information may be obtained from the printed records or membership lists of schools, universities, professional or occupational bodies, and societies. Among those which may be found particularly informative are the historical registers of Oxford and Cambridge universities and membership lists such as those of the Anglican Church, the law and medicine, e.g. Foster, J. Alumni Oxoniensis, 1500-1714. 4 vol. [in 2]. [Repr. of the ed. of 1891, 92.] - 1715-1886. 4 vol. [in 2]. [Repr. of the ed. of 1887, 88.] Nendeln: Kraus Reprint, 1968. (HLR378.42574) Ingpen, A.R. The Middle Temple Bench Book, being a register of Benchers of the Middle Temple, from the earliest times to the present time. London: Middle Temple, 1937. vol. 2. 1938-1981. [by J. Arnold.] London: Middle Temple, 1982. (HLR344.2) 7

Le Neve, J. Fasti ecclesiae anglicanae, or, a calendar of the principal ecclesiastical dignitaries of England and Wales, etc. 2nd ed. 3 vol. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1854. Revised and expanded edition in progress. London: Athlone Press, 1962-. (HLR283.42) Venn, J. and Venn, J.A. Alumni Cantabrigienses. Pt.1: to 1751. 4 vol. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1922-27. Pt.2: 1752-1900. 6 vol. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1940-54. (HLR378.42659) Other specialised sources Entries for runs of occupational directories may be found in the printed catalogue British Library General catalogue of printed books to 1975 under the heading DIRECTORIES. [III. TRADES, PROFESSIONS, ETC.] with the appropriate subheading, Clerical, Dramatic, etc. They can also be traced online using the advanced search option on the Integrated Catalogue. For more details and for a link to a historical directories database see the website (http://bl.uk/resources/humanities). See also Raymond, S. Occupational sources for genealogists: a bibliography. 2nd ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1996. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.341 P) Office-holders can be found in several works on the open shelves in Humanities - Floor 1. The series Office-holders in modern Britain compiled by J. Sainty and others is at HLR354.41. Another useful work is: Fryde, E.B. (ed.) [et al.] Handbook of British chronology. 3rd ed. London: Royal Historical Society, 1986. (HLR920.041) Contains lists of holders of various offices such as Keepers of the Privy Seal 1307-1985 and also a useful bibliographical guide to lists of English office-holders. See also Venning, T. Compendium of British office holders. New York; Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. (HLR941.009). 8

Amongst the many reference tools for tracing emigrants three useful works are: Filby, P.W. (ed.) Passenger and immigration lists bibliography, 1538-1900. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 1988. (HLR929.37) Filby, P.W. and Meyer, M.K. (eds.) Passenger and immigration lists index. 3 vol. Detroit: Gale, 1981. [With cumulated supplements published 1982-1985, 1986-1990, 1991-1995, 1996-2000, etc.] (HLR929.37) Guildhall Library. The British overseas. Compiled by G. Yeo. 3rd ed. London: Guildhall Library, 1995. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.3089 P) POLL BOOKS AND ELECTORAL REGISTERS Poll books are lists of voters compiled locally showing the candidates for whom each person voted, published from about the end of the 17th century up to the middle of the 19th century. Large collections are held at this library, the Guildhall Library and Bodleian Library. County record offices and local libraries hold substantial collections for their own areas. A checklist of poll books held by the British Library and with indication of their shelfmarks can be found in Appendix 6 of Cheffins cited below. Electoral registers list those entitled to vote. We have a number of registers dating from 1832, and an even larger number for the second half of the 19th and early 20th century. Holdings are complete from 1947. For fuller information on holdings see the separate reader guide United Kingdom electoral registers. Guides Cheffins, R.H.A. Parliamentary constituencies and their registers since 1832: a list of constituencies from the Great Reform Act with the British Library s holdings of Electoral Registers together with the Library s holdings of Burgess Rolls, Poll Books and other registers. London: British Library, 1998. (OPL ERR) Gibson, J. and Rogers, C., Electoral Registers since 1832; and Burgess Rolls. 2nd ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1990. (OPL324.2410942) 9

Gibson, J. and Rogers, C., Poll Books c1696-1872: a directory to holdings in Great Britain. 3rd ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies, 1994. (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.34) Guildhall Library, A handlist of poll books and registers of electors in the Guildhall Library. London: Corporation of London, 1970. (OPL324.2410942) Sims, J. A handlist of British parliamentary poll books. Leicester: University of Leicester, History Department, 1984. (OPL324.2410942) Society of Genealogists, Directories and poll books including almanacs and electoral rolls in the Library of the Society of Genealogists. 6th ed. London: Society of Genealogists, 1995. (Library sources, no.5) (HLR Enquiry Desk 929.341 P) USEFUL ADDRESSES Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives, 29 Badgers Close, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5RU. website: http://www.agra.org.uk (List of members at HLR Enquiry Desk 929.106 P) College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street, London EC4 4BT. website: http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk Family Records Centre, 1 Myddleton Street, London EC1R 1UW. website: http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk Federation of Family History Societies, The Administrator, PO Box 2425, Coventry CV5 6YX website: http://www.ffhs.org.uk 10

Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2P 2EJ. website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/guildhall Heraldry Society, PO Box 32, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 3FT website: http://www.theheraldrysociety.com Hyde Park Family History Centre, 64-68 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2PA. (established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.) website: http://www.familysearch.org Irish Genealogical Research Society Library. Church of St Magnus the Martyr, Lower Thames Street, London EC3 6DN. website: http://www.igrsoc.org London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB. website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office or PRO), Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU. website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk National Archives of Ireland, Bishop Street, Dublin 8, Eire. website: http://www.nationalarchives.ie National Archives of Scotland, HM General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY. website: http://www.nas.gov.uk Principal Registry of the Family Division, Probate Search Room, First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP. website: http://www.courtservice.gov.uk Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, 66 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast BT9 6NY. website: http://www.proni.gov.uk/ 11

Scottish Genealogy Society, Library and Family History Centre, 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. website: http://www.scotsgenealogy.com Society of Genealogists, 14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7BA. website: http://www.sog.org.uk February 2007 12