Genealogical Dictionary of Legal Terms: Difference between revisions

The study of Genealogy is rarely confined to the formation of a bare "tree," and few genealogists are satisfied with such but wish to know, appreciate and record all the information obtainable in connection with the family being dealt with. Most of the recorded matter of use to genealogists in this wider sense is connected with the land, and particularly with legal actions and operations closely related to it. The consequence is that to take advantage of many of our old records a knowledge of legal history, terms and operations is essential. This is frequently the case too, even when the genealogist is confining himself to the "tree" strictly, for proper connections can sometimes only be made or confirmed by correct interpretation of legal documents and records. The neophytic genealogist usually lacks the knowledge referred to, and even when of a legal or semi-legal profession often has not the requisite knowledge of medieval law for his purpose. He appreciates this quickly if he is earnest, but not so quickly can he supply the deficiency. It is difficult to identify the proper books to refer to, and when reference is had, he finds that it is often very difficult to glean the simple information required. Inquirers in every subject experience this. The more or less basic or superseded principles that require elucidation on appear to be obscured by the mass of technical detail. In fact, it is similar to looking for a simple remedy for a cold in a learned medical work. It is, therefore, thought that the brief explanations given in the following pages of what to the beginner are obscure legal terms and documents will be of help to the genealogist, forming a handy reference to those terms, etc., the ignorance of which has been found from experience to constitute difficulty for him.

'''P. C. Rushen'''