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[[Image:Halsway Court, Somerset, England.JPG|thumb|right|332x243px]]The records in this section usually pertain to transactions among the wealthier classes and their tenants. | [[Image:Halsway Court, Somerset, England.JPG|thumb|right|332x243px]]The records in this section usually pertain to transactions among the wealthier classes and their tenants. | ||
If your ancestors were poor, also search the records described in [[England Court Records]] and in [[ | If your ancestors were poor, also search the records described in [[England Court Records]] and in [[England Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.|England Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc]]. | ||
=== Domesday Book === | === Domesday Book === | ||
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Morris, John, editor. ''Domesday Book.'' 35 Volumes. Chichester, England: Phillimore, 1975–. (FHL book 942 R2d.) | Morris, John, editor. ''Domesday Book.'' 35 Volumes. Chichester, England: Phillimore, 1975–. (FHL book 942 R2d.) | ||
An online transcribed version is available here: [http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/ http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/] | An online transcribed version is available here: [http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/ http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/] | ||
=== Title Deeds === | === Title Deeds === | ||
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[COUNTY], ENGLAND - LAND AND PROPERTY | [COUNTY], ENGLAND - LAND AND PROPERTY | ||
In medieval times, transfer of land by deed included the witnessed act of the seller handing to the buyer part of the property, such as a piece of turf or handful of soil or the key to a building. This was called 'livery of seisin.' | In medieval times, transfer of land by deed included the witnessed act of the seller handing to the buyer part of the property, such as a piece of turf or handful of soil or the key to a building. This was called 'livery of seisin.' | ||
=== Close Rolls === | === Close Rolls === | ||
From 1204/5 until the late 19th century, letters to wealthy individuals from the Crown were folded (closed) and impressed with the Great Seal. They contained deeds, transfers of land, and records of charities, coinage, armed forces, wills, and so on. These letters are in the Public Record Office and classified as C 54. | From 1204/5 until the late 19th century, letters to wealthy individuals from the Crown were folded (closed) and impressed with the Great Seal. They contained deeds, transfers of land, and records of charities, coinage, armed forces, wills, and so on. These letters are in the Public Record Office and classified as C 54. | ||
Many of the individuals in these records were not royalty. The records can include manor surveys of tenants, land inheritances, widow dowers, and minor wardships, which act as a sort of ‘census’ record that indicate an individual was in specific location at a specific time. Close rolls can be the stepping stone to additional records in that particular time period and area. | Many of the individuals in these records were not royalty. The records can include manor surveys of tenants, land inheritances, widow dowers, and minor wardships, which act as a sort of ‘census’ record that indicate an individual was in specific location at a specific time. Close rolls can be the stepping stone to additional records in that particular time period and area. | ||
According to the Medieval English Genealogy website at http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/guide/rol.shtml, there are about 180 volumes of printed abstract versions of these records up to 1509 that are indexed by name. They are extremely valuable for genealogists and go up to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. | According to the Medieval English Genealogy website at http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/guide/rol.shtml, there are about 180 volumes of printed abstract versions of these records up to 1509 that are indexed by name. They are extremely valuable for genealogists and go up to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. | ||
The National Archives states, "Close rolls were made up by the regnal year.” Additionally, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, rolls were divided up into four divisions, B, Y, E, and N:<br> | The National Archives states, "Close rolls were made up by the regnal year.” Additionally, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, rolls were divided up into four divisions, B, Y, E, and N:<br> | ||
*'''B''' - Anglesey, Brecon, Cornwall, Carmarthen, Caernarvon, Devon, Glamorgan, Middlesex, Somerset, Surrey and the City of London | *'''B''' - Anglesey, Brecon, Cornwall, Carmarthen, Caernarvon, Devon, Glamorgan, Middlesex, Somerset, Surrey and the City of London | ||
*'''Y''' - Bedford, Chester, Derby, Dorset, Hertford, Lincoln, Nottingham, Northumberland, Oxford, Rutland, Stafford, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwick, Westmorland and Berwick upon Tweed | *'''Y''' - Bedford, Chester, Derby, Dorset, Hertford, Lincoln, Nottingham, Northumberland, Oxford, Rutland, Stafford, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwick, Westmorland and Berwick upon Tweed | ||
*'''E''' - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cardigan, Denbigh, Essex, Hampshire, Hereford, Kent, Monmouth, Pembroke, Wiltshire and Haverfordwest | *'''E''' - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cardigan, Denbigh, Essex, Hampshire, Hereford, Kent, Monmouth, Pembroke, Wiltshire and Haverfordwest | ||
*'''N''' - Cambridge, Cumberland, Durham, Flint, Gloucester, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Leicester, Merioneth, Montgomery, Norfolk, Northampton, Radnor, Shropshire, Worcester and Yorkshire<br> | *'''N''' - Cambridge, Cumberland, Durham, Flint, Gloucester, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Leicester, Merioneth, Montgomery, Norfolk, Northampton, Radnor, Shropshire, Worcester and Yorkshire<br> | ||
Some of these Close rolls are available online through BYU’s Family History Archives. You can access them at http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/sources/rolls.shtml . Please note that these records are in Latin, and you may need a translator to assist you as you read through them. | Some of these Close rolls are available online through BYU’s Family History Archives. You can access them at http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/sources/rolls.shtml . Please note that these records are in Latin, and you may need a translator to assist you as you read through them. | ||
<br>In addition, a “Calendar of various Chancery rolls” is available on the Internet Archives website at http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026113880. One of the advantages to these records is that they are in English and have an index that lists surnames.<br> | <br>In addition, a “Calendar of various Chancery rolls” is available on the Internet Archives website at http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026113880. One of the advantages to these records is that they are in English and have an index that lists surnames.<br> | ||
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of a few. Look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under any of the following: | The Family History Library has microfilm copies of a few. Look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under any of the following: | ||
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"From the 12th century an alternative method of recording that a transfer of land had taken place was by a fine or, from the 15th century, a recovery. These were both judgments in court actions about fictititious disputes."<ref name="null">Herber, Mark D. "Ancestral Trails: the complete guide to British Genealogy and Family History." Stroud, Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing, Ltd. 1997, p. 517.</ref> Such court actions, and the corresponding levying of a fine, served to record the transfer of property. They were also used to bar entails. The final judgement was recorded three times on a document, which was then cut into three pieces with wavy cuts. The top left and right pieces were given to the seller (the vendor or deforciant) and the purchaser (the plaintiff or querient) and the bottom piece, or foot, was retained by the court and enrolled on the rolls of the feet of fines of the Court of Common Pleas. Fines date from the 12th to the 19th centuries. | "From the 12th century an alternative method of recording that a transfer of land had taken place was by a fine or, from the 15th century, a recovery. These were both judgments in court actions about fictititious disputes."<ref name="null">Herber, Mark D. "Ancestral Trails: the complete guide to British Genealogy and Family History." Stroud, Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing, Ltd. 1997, p. 517.</ref> Such court actions, and the corresponding levying of a fine, served to record the transfer of property. They were also used to bar entails. The final judgement was recorded three times on a document, which was then cut into three pieces with wavy cuts. The top left and right pieces were given to the seller (the vendor or deforciant) and the purchaser (the plaintiff or querient) and the bottom piece, or foot, was retained by the court and enrolled on the rolls of the feet of fines of the Court of Common Pleas. Fines date from the 12th to the 19th centuries. | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
=== Inquisitions Post Mortem === | === Inquisitions Post Mortem === | ||
When a person who held Crown land died, an inquest was held to establish the date of death, the identity and age of the heir, and the extent of the lands held. If the heir was underage (21 for males and 14 for females), the land was ‘escheated’ (or returned to the King) until the heir was of age. The King controlled the heir and the property in wardship and even had say over whom the heir could marry. Sometimes the King sold his rights to another.<br> | When a person who held Crown land died, an inquest was held to establish the date of death, the identity and age of the heir, and the extent of the lands held. If the heir was underage (21 for males and 14 for females), the land was ‘escheated’ (or returned to the King) until the heir was of age. The King controlled the heir and the property in wardship and even had say over whom the heir could marry. Sometimes the King sold his rights to another.<br> | ||
These records began during the reign of Henry III (1235) and continued until 1660 (though they were disbanded during the Interregnum). The original records are in the National Archives at Kew, Richmond, near London. Some abstracts and indexes are available at the Family History Library. These include: | These records began during the reign of Henry III (1235) and continued until 1660 (though they were disbanded during the Interregnum). The original records are in the National Archives at Kew, Richmond, near London. Some abstracts and indexes are available at the Family History Library. These include: | ||
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Leases were for varying lengths of time and required the payment of rent to the landlord. Leases could be for the life-times of three named persons (often father, son, and grandson), which could be altered as needed and upon a further payment to the landlord. Therefore these records can be of particular genealogical value. Copies of leases were retained by the landlord and by the tenant and may be found in county record offices in estate collections. | Leases were for varying lengths of time and required the payment of rent to the landlord. Leases could be for the life-times of three named persons (often father, son, and grandson), which could be altered as needed and upon a further payment to the landlord. Therefore these records can be of particular genealogical value. Copies of leases were retained by the landlord and by the tenant and may be found in county record offices in estate collections. | ||
Tenants could sub-lease property to others. | Tenants could sub-lease property to others. | ||
=== Lease and Release === | === Lease and Release === | ||
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=== ''The Return of Owners of Land 1873'' === | === ''The Return of Owners of Land 1873'' === | ||
Known as the 'modern Domesday Book,' these returns were compiled throughout the United Kingdom, except in London. They identify the owners of one acre of land or more, and were compiled from records of rates paid by landowners. These have been published. (FHL book 942 R2L, 2 vols.; also on film 1696632 Item 6; also on CD from S & N Genealogy Supplies. BYU Harold B Lee Library book '''CS 435 .O9 R48 1992''' Also look in the [https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog] for a county of interest and the topic of 'Land and property.') | Known as the 'modern Domesday Book,' these returns were compiled throughout the United Kingdom, except in London. They identify the owners of one acre of land or more, and were compiled from records of rates paid by landowners. These have been published. (FHL book 942 R2L, 2 vols.; also on film 1696632 Item 6; also on CD from S & N Genealogy Supplies. BYU Harold B Lee Library book '''CS 435 .O9 R48 1992''' Also look in the [https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog] for a county of interest and the topic of 'Land and property.') | ||
=== Tithe apportionment maps and schedules === | === Tithe apportionment maps and schedules === | ||
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<br>{{Place|England}} | <br>{{Place|England}} | ||
=== FamilySearch Historical Record Collections === | |||
An online collection containing this record is located in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1595000 FamilySearch.org.] | |||
[[ | A wiki article describing this collection in found at: | ||
[[England Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | |||
[[Category:England|Land and Property]] | [[Category:England|Land and Property]] | ||