We have already considered the subject of Wills and Parish Registers. Besides these, there is a multitude of miscellaneous manuscripts from which genealogical information can be gleaned; but what they are will, in a certain degree, depend on where the pedigree-hunter is searching.

If in London, the treasures of the Record Office are at his disposal, which MS. treasures claim a later notice to themselves. The Dublin Record Office, in a lesser degree, will supply many somewhat similar documents, while in Edinburgh he also can effect much.

So, in whichever of the British Isles he is located, certain MSS. are at his disposal. To enumerate the most important of these:—

Records of legal matters often throw light on a dark subject. For these, Chancery Bills, their Answers and Exchequer Degrees, should principally be searched. Indexes to such Bills must first be consulted, then the manuscripts themselves. This will be rather a long task, as such documents are very numerous and often lengthy, but the result can scarcely fail to be beneficial.

Assize Rolls, which give particulars of cases tried before itinerating judges, may also reveal a good deal.

Deeds of various kinds, leases, etc., open up a wide field for the searcher; in fact, more leisure time than is, as a general rule, at most people’s disposal might profitably be employed on the Deeds alone.

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.

For Attorneys and Solicitors reference should be made to the Rolls and Catalogues of Attorneys, also the Admission Books giving dates, names, and residences; the latter extend from 1729 to 1848. These documents can be looked up in the Record Office.

Here, also, the papers formerly preserved in the War Office are now kept. This series, which is valuable if particulars connected with the Army are required, dates from 1700, but its Muster Rolls only from 1760.

There are army lists and muster rolls to be found in other places also. Sims (who has been referred to previously) enumerates these records, and mentions where they are now kept.

Several old Navy Lists can be found in the British Museum, and the Navy Office keeps registers of the officers and men, with date and place of their deaths. The ages of the men are also entered.

Universities, though their lists of graduates are published, have treasures of information only obtainable at first hand. So, where one or more of these is likely to prove valuable, their records should, if possible, be searched. These are principally the Books of Admission to the different colleges, the university, Matriculation Books, and the Degree Books.

These give details of parentage and many other items.