British Record Society Publications in The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library

by Steven W. Myers

Some patrons may be surprised to learn that although our collection focuses on North America, it also includes about 16,000 volumes of British Isles local history. Among this number are substantial runs of most major national and county record society publications for England, Wales and Scotland. These printed series contain parish and family histories as well as transcripts and indexes of a wide variety of early records of interest to genealogists, including parish registers, wills, tax lists, deeds, and heralds’ visitations. Some sources, including feet of fines and inquisitions post mortem, may even assist researchers tracing medieval landed families.

Genealogists who know a place of origin for their 16th, 17th and early 18th century British immigrants can get a head start on searching the relevant parish registers by using transcripts printed in the county record society series. You will always, of course, want to examine the original registers, many of which are available on microfilm through the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The printed transcripts, however, provide a handy index as well as an independent interpretation of handwriting that may be difficult to decipher in the original. Be sure to read any introduction discussing gaps in coverage or the sources from which the transcript was made.

One way to discover what’s included in these series is to consult three guides available in our collection, or in a large public or university library near you. Texts and Calendars: An Analytical Guide to Serial Publications by E. L. C. Mullins [call number 942.005 M917t] details contents of hundreds of series produced by 87 English and Welsh societies and government offices. The lengthy index provides access by personal name, place name and subject. A supplemental volume by Mullins, Texts and Calendars II: An Analytical Guide to Serial Publications 1957-1982 [call number 942.005 M917ta], covers series by 107 publishing organizations. Both guides include publications of the Scottish Record Office, but researchers with Scottish roots will want to consult a companion volume by David and Wendy Stevenson. Scottish Texts and Calendars: An Analytical Guide to Serial Publications [call number 016.941 St4s] details contents of publications by 43 Scottish societies and universities, and includes an excellent index.

Once you have identified something of interest, consult our online catalog at www.acpl.info to see if we have the volumes you want.

Article taken from the Genealogy Gems[1]: News from the Fort Wayne Library
No. 14, April 30, 2005