Wales Court Records: Difference between revisions
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(Added section for Court of the Exchequer. It is the same as the section in England Court Records.) |
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A more detailed discussion of these records is in: | A more detailed discussion of these records is in: | ||
*Emmison, F. G., and Irvine Gray. ''County Records.'' Rev. ed. London: The Historical Association, 1973. (Family History Library | *Emmison, F. G., and Irvine Gray. ''County Records.'' Rev. ed. London: The Historical Association, 1973. (Family History Library {{FHL|942 H2ha|disp=book 942 H2ha no. 62 1973}}.) | ||
A list of available records is: | A list of available records is: | ||
*Gibson, J. S. W. ''Quarter Session Records for Family Historians: A Select List''. 4th ed. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1995. (Family History Library | *Gibson, J. S. W. ''Quarter Session Records for Family Historians: A Select List''. 4th ed. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1995. (Family History Library {{FHL|942 P23gjs|disp=book 942 P23gjs 1995}}.) | ||
=== Court of Great Sessions === | === Court of Great Sessions === | ||
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Great sessions courts were used only in Wales. They were established when England and Wales were united through the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1543 and were abolished in the 1830s. Wales was divided into four circuits. Court was held twice a year, usually dealing with the more serious criminal cases. Judges also arbitrated between local landlords and in inter-jurisdictional disputes. Many middle class and some poor people are mentioned here. For more information, see: | Great sessions courts were used only in Wales. They were established when England and Wales were united through the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1543 and were abolished in the 1830s. Wales was divided into four circuits. Court was held twice a year, usually dealing with the more serious criminal cases. Judges also arbitrated between local landlords and in inter-jurisdictional disputes. Many middle class and some poor people are mentioned here. For more information, see: | ||
*Parry, Glyn. ''A Guide to the Great Sessions in Wales.'' Aberystwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 1995. (Family History Library | *Parry, Glyn. ''A Guide to the Great Sessions in Wales.'' Aberystwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 1995. (Family History Library {{FHL|782678|title-id|disp=book 942.9 P27p}}.) | ||
*Williams, W. Llewelyn. ''An Account of the King’s Court of Great Sessions in Wales''. London, England: Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1916. (Family History Library | *Williams, W. Llewelyn. ''An Account of the King’s Court of Great Sessions in Wales''. London, England: Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1916. (Family History Library {{FHL|258612|title-id|disp=book 942.9 P2w}}.) | ||
Since the handwriting on these records may be difficult to read, it may help you to see a transcribed, printed copy of some of the documents. The following book is a good example. The introduction is also helpful in understanding the records. | Since the handwriting on these records may be difficult to read, it may help you to see a transcribed, printed copy of some of the documents. The following book is a good example. The introduction is also helpful in understanding the records. | ||
*Chapman, Murray, trans. and ed. ''Criminal Proceedings In the Montgomeryshire Court of Great Sessions: A Transcript of Commonwealth Gaol Files, 1650–1660''. Aberstwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 1996. (Family History Library | *Chapman, Murray, trans. and ed. ''Criminal Proceedings In the Montgomeryshire Court of Great Sessions: A Transcript of Commonwealth Gaol Files, 1650–1660''. Aberstwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 1996. (Family History Library {{FHL|942.94 P2c|disp=book 942.94 P2c}}.) | ||
You can find the original copies of the Great Session records at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. Some copies are on film at the Family History Library. | You can find the original copies of the Great Session records at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. Some copies are on film at the Family History Library. | ||
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Records of these courts give information about the day-to-day life on a manor (an estate held by a landlord), including petty crimes, land transfers, manorial appointments, customs, rental fees, and so forth. It regulated the responsibilities and interrelationship of the manorial lord, his steward and bailiff (law officer), and the village people. Manorial court records began about 1066 and ended in the early 1900s. Some of Wales was not under manorial tenure. More detail is given in: | Records of these courts give information about the day-to-day life on a manor (an estate held by a landlord), including petty crimes, land transfers, manorial appointments, customs, rental fees, and so forth. It regulated the responsibilities and interrelationship of the manorial lord, his steward and bailiff (law officer), and the village people. Manorial court records began about 1066 and ended in the early 1900s. Some of Wales was not under manorial tenure. More detail is given in: | ||
*Watt, Helen. ''Welsh Manors and Their Records''. Aberystwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 2000. (Family History Library British | *Watt, Helen. ''Welsh Manors and Their Records''. Aberystwyth, Wales: National Library of Wales, 2000. (Family History Library British {{FHL|1276405|title-id|disp=book 942.9N2w}}.) | ||
*Park, Peter B. ''My Ancestors Were Manorial Tenants: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' 2nd ed. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1994. (Family History Library | *Park, Peter B. ''My Ancestors Were Manorial Tenants: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' 2nd ed. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1994. (Family History Library {{FHL|942 D27pp|disp=book 942 D27pp}}.) | ||
*Ellis, Mary. ''Using Manorial Records.'' London, England: PRO Publications in association with The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1994. (Family History Library | *Ellis, Mary. ''Using Manorial Records.'' London, England: PRO Publications in association with The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1994. (Family History Library {{FHL|823863|title-id|disp=book 942 J77e}}.) | ||
''Guide to the Department of Manuscripts and Records''. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 1994. (Family History Library | ''Guide to the Department of Manuscripts and Records''. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 1994. (Family History Library {{FHL|942.9 A3g|disp=book 942.9 A3g}}.) | ||
The Family History Library has a copy of Indexes to Schedules from the National Library of Wales. These indexes include a topographical index by county, parish, manor, and capital messuage. This index can help you to locate documents at the National Library of Wales for a particular manor or a parish. The index is on a series of microfilms. (Family History Library | The Family History Library has a copy of Indexes to Schedules from the National Library of Wales. These indexes include a topographical index by county, parish, manor, and capital messuage. This index can help you to locate documents at the National Library of Wales for a particular manor or a parish. The index is on a series of microfilms. (Family History Library {{FHL|370759|title-id|disp=films 1597275–7}} and {{FHL|370759|title-id|disp=1597224–6}}.) | ||
The [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr/ '''Manorial Documents Register'''] is a listing of the manors and the location of all known records. While the National Library of Wales is a major depository of manorial court records, other repositories also house these records. It is best to check this register first. | The [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr/ '''Manorial Documents Register'''] is a listing of the manors and the location of all known records. While the National Library of Wales is a major depository of manorial court records, other repositories also house these records. It is best to check this register first. | ||
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A helpful guide about these records is: | A helpful guide about these records is: | ||
*Garrett, R. E. F. ''Chancery and Other Legal Proceedings.'' Oakhill, Somerset, England: The Oakhill Press, 1968. (Family History Library | *Garrett, R. E. F. ''Chancery and Other Legal Proceedings.'' Oakhill, Somerset, England: The Oakhill Press, 1968. (Family History Library {{FHL|942 P2ga|disp=book 942.P2ga}}.) | ||
Chancery Court records are housed in the National Archives near London. Some chancery cases have been indexed. The best index to start with is available on The National Archives web site in class number E179. Search the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp '''Catalogue'''] for the surname and put the letter C in the "Department or Series Code" box. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some records. | Chancery Court records are housed in the National Archives near London. Some chancery cases have been indexed. The best index to start with is available on The National Archives web site in class number E179. Search the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp '''Catalogue'''] for the surname and put the letter C in the "Department or Series Code" box. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some records. | ||
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=== Court of the Exchequer === | === Court of the Exchequer === | ||
This court also dealt with matters of the wealthy. Beginning early in the 12th twelfth century, it became an administrative body for collecting the royal revenue and performing the accompanying judicial business. As time went by, the court gained jurisdiction over suits between two individuals. The National Archives houses the records from the Court of the Exchequer for people who lived in Wales and England. The Family History Library has a film copy of an index to 127,628 Exchequer depositions between 1559 and 1695 ( | This court also dealt with matters of the wealthy. Beginning early in the 12th twelfth century, it became an administrative body for collecting the royal revenue and performing the accompanying judicial business. As time went by, the court gained jurisdiction over suits between two individuals. The National Archives houses the records from the Court of the Exchequer for people who lived in Wales and England. The Family History Library has a film copy of an index to 127,628 Exchequer depositions between 1559 and 1695 ({{FHL|651788|title-id|disp=FHL film 104399 Items 3-6}}). | ||
The National Archives in England published [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=226 “Taxation Records Before 1689”] in 2004 about tax records among the Exchequer. (Domestic Records Information 10). It includes a link to a searchable database for the E179 records. | The National Archives in England published [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=226 “Taxation Records Before 1689”] in 2004 about tax records among the Exchequer. (Domestic Records Information 10). It includes a link to a searchable database for the E179 records. | ||