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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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