The Hibernian Magazine, an eighteenth-century journal, is especially valuable in the case of Irish families. The announcements of births, deaths, and marriages have been printed separately in two volumes, so they are what should be consulted.
CHAPTER IV
MISCELLANEOUS MS. DOCUMENTS OF VALUE TO THE SEARCHER
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.