Key Sources

Janet outlines the vital records that might help you locate your 17th-century kin

Parish Registers

Some registers no longer survive or have gaps, particularly during the Commonwealth period. Entries may be brief, difficult to read and in Latin.

Heraldic Visitations

Pedigrees of armigerous families are held at the heraldic authority the College of Arms in London; you can also find copies in the British Library. Fortunately those for some counties are in print.

Deeds And Leases

These are likely to be found in local archives. ‘Feet of fines’, found at TNA, are records of fictitious court cases allowing land to be transferred.

Wills

Wills, sometimes with an inventory attached, are found in local archives or The National Archives (TNA). All wills proved from 1653 to 1660 are at TNA.

Protestation Returns

This list of those confirming a belief in Protestantism and support for Charles I was created in 1641–1642. The originals are in the Parliamentary Archives.

Manorial Records

Records of manorial courts might provide information about minor misdemeanours, as well as name ancestors with copyhold land from the lord of the manor.

Tax Lists

Useful tax lists include those for poll taxes, raised 1660–1697, and the hearth tax, whose records survive for 1662– 1674. Some returns include a note of those who were exempt.

Parish- Chest Documents

If you are lucky, churchwardens’ accounts, records of the overseers of the poor and settlement documents will have survived and be available in local archives.

Other Court Records

These include quarter-sessions courts, the assize courts, the Chancery Court and ecclesiastical courts. Records for the Old Bailey can be searched at old baileyonline.org.