The
Catholic Family Historian's
Handbook
A. J. Mitchinson
T h e N o r t h W e s t Catholic H i s t o r y Society exists t op r o m o t e interest i n I he
Catholic history of the region. It issues a j o u r n a l of research a n d occasional
publications, a n d organises conferences. T h e a n n u a l subscription i s £10
(cheques s h o u l d b em a d e payable to N o r t h West Catholic H i s t o r y Society)
a n d s h o u l d b esent to:
The Treasurer
North West Catholic History
10 Ellesmere Road
Pemberton
Wigan
Lancashire
WN5
9LA.
Society
T h e c o v e r i l l u s t r a t i o n i s f r o m Missale Monasticum
(Mechlin,
1896)
The
Catholic Family Historian's
Handbook
A . J. M i t c h i n s o n
N o r t h West Catholic H i s t o r y Society
Wigan
1999
T h e N o r t h West Catholic H i s t o r y Society
10 E l l e s m e r e R o a d , P e m b e r t o n , W i g a n , L a n c a s h i r e , W N 5 9 L A .
© N o r t h West Catholic H i s t o r y Society
Printed b y T. Snape & Co. L t d .
Boltons Court, Preston.
I S B N 0 9531020 4 1
Contents
Introduction
1
I
Chronology
2
II
M a k i n g a Start
3
III
Scripts
4
IV
Latin
5
V
Catholic Registers
6
VI
N a m e s i n Latin Registers
7
VII
Latin Baptismal Register
8
V I I I Latin M a r r i a g e Register
9
IX
Latin F u n e r a l Register
10
X
Glossary
XI
Record Offices
2 3
XII
Libraries
2 7
"
X I I I Societies
2 8
X I V Journals
2 9
XV
3 0
Sources
X V I W r i t i n g a F a m i l y H i s t o r y ( c o n t r i b u t e d b y J. A . H i l t o n )
32
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
1
Introduction
T h e Elizabethan religious settlement and the laws passed t o enforce i t
( c o l l e c t i v e l y k n o w n i n C a t h o l i c h i s t o r y as t h e p e n a l l a w s ) l e d t o C a t h o l i c i s m
b e c o m i n g a persecuted a n d secretive d e n o m i n a t i o n . S u c h organisations
k e e p f e w records a n d b e t w e e n 1559 a n d t h e latter p a r t o f t h e e i g h t e e n t h
century Catholicism w a s n o exception. T h i s lack of records m a k e s difficult
the tracing of Catholic f a m i l y histories b y the usual routes. Fortunately for
family historians the government and the Church o f England, i n their
attempts t o suppress Catholicism, kept extensive records o f Catholics,
w h i c h , to s o m e extent, are able to replace the u s u a l source of parish records.
T h e end of the penal period s a w the regular keeping of Catholic records a n d
the study o f these records provides some insight into nineteenth-century
Catholicism.
T h e p u r p o s e of this h a n d b o o k is t o assist t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h e h i s t o r y of
Catholic families, n o t b y describing h o w to u n d e r t a k e such research, b u t b y
d i r e c t i n g the reader t o those sources w h i c h can assist w i t h the research. T h e
glossary i s intended for students o fall levels a n d for non-Catholics w h o
m a y be investigating a Catholic family.
I w i s h t o thank A n d r e w T o d d and Rita Piatt o f the Lancashire F a m i l y
H i s t o r y a n d H e r a l d r y Society, w h o read t h e m a n u s c r i p t a n d m a d e h e l p f u l
comments, a n d Charles Miller, o fthe Talbot library, w h o gave advice a n d
assistance i n the early stages of w r i t i n g . I a m particularly indebted to }. A .
H i l t o n , w h o n o t o n l y gave constant advice a n d encouragement, b u t also has
contributed a chapter to this book.
S o m e readers m a y dispute the free translations of the L a t i n registers b u t it
w a s m y intention to produce a readable translation and not a text-book o f
post-classical Latin. T h e r e m a y b e other errors, a l l w h i c h are m y o w n .
Readers are i n v i t e d to a m u s e themselves b y searching for these errors.
2
I
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Chronology
1497
Francisco, Cardinal X i m e n e z de Cisneros, introduced the first
registration of baptisms into the province of Toledo.
1538
Thomas C r o m w e l l introduced registration into England.
1559
Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity - C h u r c h of England
established and the beginning of the penal period.
1563
T r i d e n t i n e d e c r e e Tametsi.
1597
C o n s t i t u t i o n of C a n t e r b u r y regulated p a r i s h registers.
1662
P o o r Relief A c t - settlement certificates introduced.
1676
C o m p t o n Census.
1705
R e t u r n of Papists.
1715
R e g i s t r a t i o n of Papists' estates.
1716
Forfeited Estates C o m m i s s i o n .
1717
W i l l s of Catholics t o be enrolled at quarter sessions.
1753
Hardwicke's Marriage Act.
1767
R e t u r n of Papists.
1778
First Catholic Relief Act.
1791
Second Catholic Relief Act.
1829
Catholic Emancipation Act - end of penal period.
1836
Registration Act.
1850
English & W e l s h hierarchy restored.
1852
Burials Act - Catholic cemeteries recognised.
1908
V a t i c a n d e c r e e Ne Temere.
1922
D u b l i n Public Record Office razed b y fire - m a n y Irish
records destroyed.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
II
3
Making a Start
T h e F e d e r a t i o n o f F a m i l y H i s t o r y Societies, a n d others, h a v e p u b l i s h e d a
large n u m b e r of books to help w i t h f a m i l y history.
The following are useful for beginners:
T h e L a n c a s h i r e R e c o r d O f f i c e , Finding Folk ( P r e s t o n , 1 9 9 7 ) .
S t e l l a C o l w e l l , Teach Yourself Tracing Your Family History ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 7 ) .
G e o r g e P e l l i n g , Beginning Your Family History ( 6 t h . e d i t i o n , N e w b u r y , 1 9 9 5 ) .
M i c h a e l G a n d y , Short Cuts in Family History ( 2 n d . e d i t i o n , N e w b u r y , 1 9 9 4 ) .
A n d r e w T o d d , Basic Sources for Family History ( 3 r d . e d i t i o n , R a m s b o t t o m ,
1994)
J e a n C o l e a n d J o h n T i t f o r d , Tracing Your Family Tree ( 2 n d . e d i t i o n ,
N e w b u r y , 1992).
P a u l i n e S a u l , The Family Historian's Enquire Within ( 5 t h . e d i t i o n , N e w b u r y ,
1995).
J o h n R i c h a r d s o n , The Local Historian's Encyclopedia ( 2 n d . e d i t i o n , N e w
B a r n e t , 1986)
The following are important for specific advice
on Catholic family history:
L e s l i e B r o o k s , ' E n g l i s h C a t h o l i c A n c e s t r y ' , Genealogists' Magazine, 2 0 , ( 1 1 ) ,
1982,376-378.
M i c h a e l G a n d y , ' C a t h o l i c A n c e s t o r s ' , Family History News and Digest, 8, ( 1 ) ,
1991,26-29.
J o h n G r e n h a m , Tracing Your Irish Ancestors ( D u b l i n , 1 9 9 2 ) .
A . J. M i t c h i n s o n , ' T r a c i n g a R o m a n C a t h o l i c F a m i l y T r e e ' , North West
Catholic History, 1 4 , 1 9 8 7 , 2 6 - 2 9 .
J. G . R y a n , Irish Church Records ( D u b l i n , 1 9 9 2 ) .
D . J. S t e e l e , National Index of Parish Registers, Volume III Sources for Roman
Catholic...Genealogy & Family History ( C h i c h e s t e r , 1 9 7 4 ) . ( P r o v i d e s a
g o o d o v e r v i e w o f C a t h o l i c h i s t o r y f r o m 1559 t o 1829.)
The Catholic Family Historian's
4
III
Handbook
wit
Scripts
^
k & c a b t s / s i L act
<|ti(au <\ q.^i(F(^^i ^
6
K-t.
r
( 9
Secretary
Hand
e
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
IV
Latin
E . M c L a u g h l i n , Simple Latin for Family Historians ( B i r m i n g h a m , 1 9 9 1 ) .
J. M o r r i s , A Latin Glossary for Family and Local Historians
( B i r m i n g h a m , 1990).
E l i z a b e t h S i m p s o n , Latin Word List for Family Historians ( S o l i h u l l , 1 9 8 5 ) .
E i l e e n A . G o o d e r , Latin for Local History - an Introduction
(2nd. e d i t i o n , L o n d o n , 1982)
5
6
V
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Catholic Registers
I n general terms, Catholic registers begin i n the m i d - e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r y as
m a n u s c r i p t entries i n o r d i n a r y notebooks. S o m e of the earlier examples are
not the registers o f one m i s s i o n b u t priests' o w n notebooks w h i c h t h e y
carried f r o m place t o place. I n the early n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y there w e r e
directions f r o m the vicars apostolic about the k e e p i n g o f registers a n d
f o l l o w i n g this s o m e Catholic churches used p r i n t e d registers m o d e l l e d o n
those specified b y Rose's A c t (1812) f o r use i n the C h u r c h of E n g l a n d , b u t
others continued to use simple notebooks.
T h e r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e C a t h o l i c h i e r a r c h y i n 1850 l e d t o a process o f
Romanising the Catholic Church i n England ( k n o w n asthe Ultramontane
m o v e m e n t ) a n d f r o m a b o u t 1860 a l l C a t h o l i c registers w e r e w r i t t e n i n L a t i n
i n a p p r o v e d p r i n t e d registers, a n a r r a n g e m e n t w h i c h c o n t i n u e d u n t i l about
1970, after w h i c h t h e registers a g a i n w e r e w r i t t e n i n E n g l i s h .
D u r i n g t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y s o m e entries are e n d o r s e d i n the m a r g i n s , the
b a p t i s m a l registers w i t h details o f subsequent c o n f i r m a t i o n or m a r r i a g e a n d
the m a r r i a g e registers w i t h details of a n y dispensations granted.
A f e w C a t h o l i c registers h a v e b e e n deposited i n t h e c o u n t y record offices b u t
m o s t r e m a i n w i t h the p a r i s h priests a n d u s u a l l y are stored i n insecure a n d
u n s u i t a b l e places. I n recent years, s o m e priests h a v e a l l o w e d t h e
m i c r o f i l m i n g of their registers b u t the originals r e m a i n i n the parishes.
The Catholic Family Historian's H a n d b o o k
VI
7
Names in Latin Registers
I n the L a t i n registers the C h r i s t i a n n a m e s w e r e Latinised b u t the surnames
w e r e n o t . M a n y o f t h e L a t i n i s e d n a m e s w e r e f o r m e d b y a d d i n g -us
( m a s c u l i n e ) o r -a ( f e m i n i n e ) t o t h e e n d o f a n E n g l i s h n a m e , b u t s o m e n a m e s
h a v e p r o p e r L a t i n e q u i v a l e n t s , e.g. William, w h i c h a p p e a r s as Gulielmus.
M a n y Latin names have multiple English versions, and a literal translation
of t h e n a m e i n t h e register is n o t necessarily t h e n a m e b y w h i c h t h e p e r s o n
w a s k n o w n . T h e e n t r y Johanna m e a n s t h a t t h e g i r l w a s a c t u a l l y n a m e d a n y
o f Jane, Joan, Janet, Jean, o r e v e n Joanne o r Joanna.
Some common Latin names of the Latin register
period, with their English equivalents.
Agneta
Andreas
Anna
Carolus
Eugenius
Guido
Gulielmus
Helena
Hugo
Jacobus
Johanna
Johannes
Seisillus
Susanna
Agnes
Andrew
Ann, Anne, Hannah
Charles
Owen
Guy
William
Helen, Ellen, Eleanor
Hugo, Hugh
James, Jacob
Jane, Joan, Janet, Jean
John
Cecil
Susan
A f u l l list o f Latinised C h r i s t i a n n a m e s i s g i v e n i n D . E . Gardner a n d F.
S m i t h , Genealogical Research in England and Wales, ( S a l t L a k e C i t y , 1 9 5 6 ) ,
V o l u m e 3, p p . 8 7 - 9 2 .
L a t i n is a n i n f l e c t e d l a n g u a g e , i.e. t h e e n d i n g s o f t h e w o r d s c h a n g e w i t h t h e
m e a n i n g o f t h e w o r d s . T h u s , Jacobus Smith, filius Jacobi Smith, m e a n s James
Smith the son of James Smith. I t i s i m p o r t a n t n o t t o t h i n k t h a t J a c o b u s a n d
Jacobi are different n a m e s .
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
VII
Latin Baptismal Register
Anno
die
mensis ^
n a t u s [f-nata] e t a n n o
b a p t i z a t u s [ / - baptizata] e s t
(olim
die
mensis
f i l i u s [ / - filial
) conjugum:
a me
Patrinus fuit
Matrina fuit
Translation
In the year
o n the
day of the m o n t h of
was born and
in the year
o n the
day of the m o n t h o f
was baptised
(name of child)
(formerly
the son [daughter] o f
(mother's maiden name)
by me
The godfather was
(parents' names)
) a married couple:
(signature of priest)
The godmother was
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
VIII
Anno
Latin Marriage Register
die
mensis
Ego
in m a t r i m o n i u m conjunxi
filium
de
et
de
filiam
Praesentibus
"j
de
testibus
J
de
Translation
I n t h e y e a r ... o n t h e ... d a y o f t h e m o n t h o f ... I ....(name of priest) .
j o i n e d i n m a t r i m o n y ... (name of bridegroom)...
oi ... (address of bridegroom)
t h e s o n o f ... (name of bridegroom's father) ... a n d
o f ... (address of bride) ... t h e d a u g h t e r
In the presence
... (name of bride)
o f ... (name of bride's father)
(name of best man) ... o f ... (address of best man)
of the
witnesses
(name of bridesmaid) ... o f ... (address of bridesmaid)
(signature of priest) ...
9
The Catholic Family Historian's
10
IX
Handbook
Latin Funeral Register
Anno
die
mensis
aetatis
, i ncommunione
,
ex
S. M a t r i s Ecclesiae a n i m a m
S a c r a m e n t i s m u n i t u s [f-munita], c u j u s c o r p u s d i e
mensis
Deo
reddidit
sepultum
est i n
Translation
I n t h e y e a r ... o n t h e ... d a y o f t h e m o n t h o f
formerly o f
(address of deceased)
aged
... (name of deceased) ...
, in communion
H o l y M o t h e r C h u r c h , r e t u r n e d t o G o d his [her] s o u l fortified w i t h
sacraments, whose body o n the
day of the m o n t h of
with
the
was buried in
(signature of priest)
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
X
11
Glossary
ACATHOLICUS:
A Graeco-Latin portmanteau w o r d meaning non-Catholic.
AFFINITY: A r e l a t i o n s h i p c r e a t e d b y m a r r i a g e , o p p o s e d t o c o n s a n g u i n i t y
(q.v.). M a r r i a g e b e t w e e n p e r s o n s o f c l o s e a f f i n i t y i s p r o h i b i t e d .
ALIAS:
T h e L a t i n w o r d w h i c h m e a n s otherwise. U s e d i n a L a t i n r e g i s t e r t o
indicate that, for any reason, a person used another name.
ANGLICAN:
A m e m b e r o fthe C h u r c h o fE n g l a n d o rits sister churches, o r
the adjective w h i c h describes t h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d a n d i t s
sister churches.
ANNULMENT:
A declaration b y either t h e civil o r church courts that a
m a r r i a g e w a s i n v a l i d a n d o f n u l l effect. S u c h d e c l a r a t i o n s a r e
granted i n t h eCatholic C h u r c h b y t h e diocesan m a t r i m o n i a l
t r i b u n a l s (q.v.) b u t a r e r a r e i n t h e c i v i l c o u r t s , w h i c h u s u a l l y
g r a n t a d i v o r c e (q.v.).
ARCHDEACON:
A priest w h o holds administrative authority, delegated b y
the bishop, i n part o fa diocese. I n the C h u r c h o fE n g l a n d the duties
include general disciplinary s u p e r v i s i o n a n d t h eissue o f licences
and dispensations. T h er a n k w a sn o trestored w i t h t h e Catholic
h i e r a r c h y i n 1850.
ASSIZES:
Sittings o fthe r o y a l courts of justice i n each county, o n a rota basis
a n d p r e s i d e d o v e r b y v i s i t i n g j u d g e s , t o t r y t h e m o r e s e r i o u s cases.
BANNS:
A public announcement i n church, o nthree consecutive
of a couple's intention t omarry.
Sundays,
BISHOP'S
TRANSCRIPTS:
Copies o f t h e previous year's entries i n t h e
p a r i s h r e g i s t e r s (q.v.) s e n t b y t h e c h u r c h w a r d e n s (q.v.) t o t h e
diocesan registry w i t h i n o n e m o n t h f r o m Easter. T h e s e transcripts
can contain differences f r o m the o r i g i n a l registers.
BOYD'S
MARRIAGES
INDEX: A t y p e w r i t t e n i n d e x o f m a r r i a g e s , 1 5 3 8 1837, t a k e n f r o m p a r i s h registers, bishop's transcripts a n d m a r r i a g e
l i c e n c e s (qq.v.), c o m p i l e d b y P e r c i v a l B o y d . C a t h o l i c s a p p e a r i n
this index because o f t h eprovisions o f t h e H a r d w i c k e M a r r i a g e
A c t (q.v.).
12
BURIALS
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
ACT, 1852: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h r e p e a l e d t h e l e g i s l a t i o n o f
1606 r e q u i r i n g b u r i a l i n the p a r i s h c h u r c h y a r d , recognised C a t h o l i c
burial grounds a n d established public cemeteries.
Catholic
c e m e t e r i e s (q.v.) h a d e x i s t e d i l l e g a l l y f o r s o m e t i m e b u t w e r e i g n o r e d
by t h e authorities because they relieved pressure o n t h e
overcrowded parish churchyards.
CALENDAR:
(1)A list o f d o c u m e n t s a n d a s u m m a r y o f their contents. (2)
The system b y w h i c h t h elength a n d divisions o f t h eyear a r e
d e f i n e d . I n 1552 P o p e G r e g o r y X I I I revised the Julian calendar b u t
this r e v i s i o n w a s n o t accepted i n E n g l a n d u n t i l 1752, b y w h i c h t i m e
there w a s a difference o feleven days between the t w o methods o f
reckoning. M o r e o v e r , u n t i l the acceptance of the G r e g o r i a n calendar,
the year began i n E n g l a n d o n 2 5 t h M a r c h , t h e feast o f t h e
A n n u n c i a t i o n o r " L a d y D a y " , a n d s o t h e last three m o n t h s o f t h e
year w e r e January, February a n d M a r c h . F r o m t h e seventeenth
century dates i n these three m o n t h s are often w r i t t e n asbelonging to
t w o y e a r s , e.g. 2 3 r d J a n u a r y , 1 7 2 3 / 2 4 .
CANON LAW: T h e b o d y o f e c c l e s i a s t i c a l r u l e s a n d l a w s c o n c e r n i n g d o c t r i n e ,
m o r a l s a n d discipline. Catholic c a n o n l a w w a s codified i n 1917 a n d
r e v i s e d i n 1983.
CANON: ( 1 ) A p r i e s t r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e s e r v i c e s a n d f a b r i c o f a c a t h e d r a l ,
w h o resides a t t h e c a t h e d r a l a n d recites t h e office i n t h e choir. (2) A
rule, l a w o rdecree concerning religious faith o r life.
CATHOLIC
EMANCIPATION
ACT, 1829: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h
r e p e a l e d m o s t o f t h e p e n a l l a w s (q.v.). C a t h o l i c s w e r e p e r m i t t e d t o
h o l d public office a n d sit i n P a r l i a m e n t .
CATHOLIC RELIEF ACT, 1778: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h r e m o v e d t h e
threat o f life i m p r i s o n m e n t f o r priests a n d schoolmasters a n d
allowed Catholics t opurchase land but w a s applicable o n l y to those
w h o swore the prescribed oath. F e w Catholics took the oath, o r w e r e
expected b y the authorities t od o so.
CATHOLIC RELIEF ACT, 1791: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h l e g a l i s e d t h e
e x i s t e n c e o f C a t h o l i c c h a p e l s (q.v.) o n c e t h e y h a d b e e n r e g i s t e r e d a t
t h e q u a r t e r s e s s i o n s (q.v.).
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
13
CEMETERIES,
CATHOLIC:
Until t h ee n do f t h eeighteenth century
Catholics were generally buried i n t h eparish churchyards (which
h a d been consecrated anciently) b u tafter this t i m e m a n y Catholic
cemeteries w e r e established, a l t h o u g h a f e w w e r e o f earlier date.
T h e y w e r e t e c h n i c a l l y i l l e g a l u n t i l t h e B u r i a l s A c t o f 1 8 5 2 (q.v.)
recognised their existence.
CENSUS
RETURNS:
T h e details o f each h o u s e h o l d taken b y t h e census
enumerators o n t h e prescribed form. T h e census is taken i n t h e
Spring every ten years a n d the returns kept secure for one h u n d r e d
years. T h e first census w a s taken i n 1801.
CERTIFICATE:
A f t e r the requisite notice for a marriage i n a place other t h a n
a p a r i s h c h u r c h (q.v.) h a s b e e n g i v e n t o t h e r e g i s t r a r (q.v.), t h e
r e g i s t r a r w i l l c e r t i f y t h a t n o c i v i l i m p e d i m e n t s (q.v.) h a v e b e e n
declared a n d that t h emarriage c a n take place i n t h e specified
b u i l d i n g . M a r r i a g e s i n C a t h o l i c c h u r c h e s a r e v a l i d i n c i v i l l a w (q.v.)
b y such certificates.
CHAPEL:
A small church attached t o a house o r institution. U n t i l t h e
twentieth century Catholic churches w e r e usually described as
c h a p e l s t o d i f f e r e n t i a t e t h e m f r o m t h e p a r i s h c h u r c h e s (q.v.).
CHAPTER: ( 1 ) T h e d a i l y m e e t i n g o f t h e m e m b e r s o f a r e l i g i o u s o r d e r . ( 2 ) T h e
b o d y o f c a t h e d r a l c a n o n s (q.v.). T h e c h a p t e r s o f E n g l i s h C a t h o l i c
cathedrals areo n l y bodies o f consultors; the canons d o n o t reside a t
the cathedrals n o r recite the office i nc o m m o n a n d the provosts a r e
not responsible for the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f the cathedrals.
CHURCHWARDENS:
C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d l a yofficers i n each parish
responsible f o rt h emovable property i n t h echurch. Formerly,
t h e y w e r e r e s p o n s i b l e a l s o f o r p r e s e n t i n g (q.v.) o f f e n d e r s a g a i n s t
canon law.
CIVIL
LAW: T h e l a w o f t h e l a n d a d m i n i s t e r e d b y t h e g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h
d o e s n o t a l w a y s a g r e e w i t h c a n o n l a w (q.v.).
CLANDESTINE
BURIAL: A b u r i a l w h i c h t a k e s p l a c e i n s e c r e t . I n p e n a l
times w h e n burial w i t h t h e Catholic rite w a s sometimes refused,
Catholics w e r e buried i n t h eparish churchyard, w i t h t h e Catholic
rite, d u r i n g the night.
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14
CLANDESTINE
MARRIAGE:
A m a r r i a g e w h i c h takes place i n secret. S u c h
marriages w e r e a to n e t i m e v a l i d a n d l a w f u l b u t w e r e the subject o f
m a n y a b u s e s . I n 1 5 6 3 t h e C o u n c i l o f T r e n t (q.v.) o u t l a w e d
c l a n d e s t i n e m a r r i a g e s b y t h e d e c r e e Tametsi (q.v.) a n d i n 1 7 5 3
H a r d w i c k e ' s M a r r i a g e A c t (q.v.) h a d t h e s a m e e f f e c t i n E n g l a n d .
CLERK
OF THE PEACE: A c o u n t y o f f i c i a l w h o w a s c l e r k o f t h e c o u r t a t t h e
q u a r t e r s e s s i o n s (q.v.).
COMPOUND:
T op a y a l u m p s u m t ob eexcused prosecution.
COMPTON
CENSUS:
A religious census o f 1676 intended t o give
i n f o r m a t i o n o fthe n u m b e r o fAnglicans, Protestant N o n c o n f o r m i s t s
and Catholic recusants i n each parish. T h e census w a s organised b y
H e n r y Compton, then Bishop of London.
CONSANGUINITY:
A b l o o d r e l a t i o n s h i p , o p p o s e d t o a f f i n i t y (q.v.). M a r r i a g e
b e t w e e n persons o f close c o n s a n g u i n i t y is prohibited.
CONSISTORY
COURT: I n t h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d , a b i s h o p ' s c o u r t f o r t h e
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e c a n o n l a w (q.v.).
CONVERT: A p e r s o n w h o f o r m a l l y j o i n s t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h f r o m a n o t h e r
denomination o rreligion.
CURATE: A p r i e s t a p p o i n t e d t o a s s i s t a r e c t o r , v i c a r o r p a r i s h p r i e s t (qq.v.).
U n t i l recently i nt h eC h u r c h o f England, some clergy w h o , f o rall
intents a n d purposes w e r e rectors o r vicars, legally w e r e curates.
DISPENSATION:
P e r m i s s i o n f r o m the a p p r o p r i a t e ecclesiastical a u t h o r i t y t o
d o s o m e o t h e r w i s e canonically illegal act. I nCatholic u s ethe m o s t
c o m m o n d i s p e n s a t i o n s a r e t o p e r m i t a m i x e d m a r r i a g e (q.v.) o r t o
a l l o w a m a r r i a g e a ta n u n c a n o n i c a l t i m e (e.g. d u r i n g L e n t ) .
DIVORCE:
A declaration b ythe civil courts w h i c h dissolves the b o n d i na
valid marriage.
EMBASSY
CHAPELS:
T h e chapels o f t h e embassies o f Catholic foreign
p o w e r s , w h e r e E n g l i s h Catholics m i g h t w o r s h i p . T h e i r registers
record baptisms, marriages etc.
EMIGRANTS:
M a n y people w h o emigrated were provided w i t h chaplains
f r o m their h o m e country, especially i nAustralia, S o u t h A f r i c a a n d
North America.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
ENDORSMENTS
FAMILY:
IN REGISTERS:
15
M a r g i n n o t e s (q.v.).
A g r o u p o f p e o p l e r e l a t e d b y k i n s h i p (q.v.). T h e e x t e n d e d f a m i l y
consists of m o r e t h a n t w o generations. T h e nuclear f a m i l y consists o f
parents and children.
FORFEITED
ESTATES: P e r s o n s w h o t o o k p a r t i n t h e f i r s t J a c o b i t e r i s i n g o f
1 7 1 5 (q.v.) w e r e r e q u i r e d t o f o r f e i t t h e i r e s t a t e s . C o m m i s s i o n e r s w e r e
a p p o i n t e d t o deal w i t h these estates.
GODPARENT: A w i t n e s s t o a b a p t i s m w h o m a k e s t h e p r o m i s e s o n b e h a l f o f
the child a n d w h o takes responsibility for the Christian u p b r i n g i n g
o f t h e c h i l d . S o m e t i m e s c a l l e d a s p o n s o r (q.v.).
GORDON
GRAND
RIOTS:
A n t i - C a t h o l i c riots i n 1780, l e d b y L o r d G e o r g e G o r d o n .
JURY: A j u r y w h i c h h e a r d p r e l i m i n a r y e v i d e n c e a n d p r e s e n t e d a
b i l l o f i n d i c t m e n t . I tw a s a b o l i s h e d i n 1933.
HARDWICKE'S
MARRIAGE
ACT, 1753: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h
s u p p r e s s e d c l a n d e s t i n e m a r r i a g e s (q.v.). F o r a m a r r i a g e t o b e v a l i d
a n d l a w f u l i t h a d t o b e p e r f o r m e d i n a p a r i s h c h u r c h (q.v.) a f t e r t h e
p u b l i c a t i o n o f b a n n s (q.v.) o r t h e o b t a i n i n g o f a l i c e n c e (q.v.). J e w s
and Quakers, but not Catholics, w e r e exempt f r o m this legislation
a n d f r o m t h i s t i m e u n t i l 1836, m a n y C a t h o l i c s w e r e m a r r i e d t w i c e ,
once b ya Catholic priest a n d once i n the parish church. T h u s , t h e y
a p p e a r i n B o y d ' s M a r r i a g e s I n d e x (q.v.) a n d i n t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l
G e n e a l o g i c a l I n d e x (q.v.).
HIERARCHY:
Technically, t h e organisation o f t h e clergy i n successive
grades, b u tt h ew o r d c o m m o n l y means t h et h eb o d y o f diocesan
bishops o fa country. T h e ancient English hierarchy ended i n 1584
w i t h the death, in prison, o fThomas Watson, Bishop o fLincoln and
w a s r e s t o r e d i n 1850.
HIGH
COMMISSION:
A prerogative court f o u n d e d i n 1549 t o suppress
h e r e s y b u t l a t e r b e c a m e t h e c o u r t o f a p p e a l f r o m t h e c o n s i s t o r y (q.v.)
a n d other church courts. It w a s abolished i n 1641.
HIGH MASS: S o l e m n M a s s s u n g b y a p r i e s t a s s i s t e d b y a d e a c o n a n d a s u b deacon. T h e t e r m h a sbeen obsolete since the the liturgical r e f o r m s
w h i c h followed the Second Vatican Council.
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HOUSEHOLD:
A group o f people living i n the same house. I n early m o d e r n
times these m i g h t include not o n l y members o fthe same family but
a l s o s e r v a n t s , a p p r e n t i c e s etc.
IMMIGRANTS:
S o m e i m m i g r a n t Latin-rite Catholic c o m m u n i t i e s , e.g. t h e
Polish a n d Chinese communities, have their o w n chaplains etc,
o t h e r s h a v e t h e i r o w n U n i a t e (q.v.) c h u r c h e s .
IMPEDIMENT:
A nobstacle w h i c h renders a marriage either u n l a w f u l o r
invalid. T h e most serious i m p e d i m e n t is that o n eo fthe parties is
already m a r r i e d ; lesser i m p e d i m e n t s i n c l u d e consanguinity, affinity
a n d m i x e d m a r r i a g e s (qq.v.).
IN PARTIBUS INFIDELIUM:
L a t i n f o r in the land of the unbelievers, t h e
d e s c r i p t i o n , u n t i l 1 8 8 2 , o f t i t u l a r b i s h o p s (q.v.) b e c a u s e t h e t i t u l a r
sees are i n M o s l e m c o u n t r i e s .
INTERNATIONAL
GENEALOGICAL
INDEX (I.G.I.): A m i c r o f i c h e (q.v.)
index of baptisms a n d marriages c o m p i l e d f r o m parish registers a n d
b i s h o p s t r a n s c r i p t s (qq.v.) a n d p u b l i s h e d b y t h e C h u r c h o f J e s u s
Christ o fLatter D a y Saints.
IRISH:
M a n y Irish people m o v e d t o England; their baptismal, a n d
sometimes marriage, records are i n Ireland.
JACOBITE:
A supporter o fthe deposed K i n g James I I and his
descendants.
JACOBITE RISINGS: T w o a t t e m p t s , t h e f i r s t i n 1 7 1 5 a n d t h e s e c o n d i n 1 7 4 5 ,
to restore b y force the Stuart succession.
JUSTICES
OF THE PEACE: L o c a l m e n , n o t u s u a l l y q u a l i f i e d i n l a w ,
a p p o i n t e d u n d e r a n act o f 1361 t oa d m i n i s t e r justice i n a county.
KINSHIP: R e l a t i o n s h i p b y b l o o d ( c o n s a n g u i n i t y , q.v.) o r m a r r i a g e ( a f f i n i t y
q.v.). K i n s h i p c a n b e a c t u a l o r f i c t i v e ( e . g . s p o n s o r s , q.v.)
LAPSED:
A w o r d used t o describe Catholics w h o n olonger practise t h e
Catholic faith.
LIBER
BAPTIZATORUM:
T h e n a m e o f t h e L a t i n b a p t i s m a l register.
LIBER
DEFUNCTORUM:
T h e n a m e o f the L a t i n f u n e r a l s register.
LIBER MATRIMONIUM:
The name ofthe Latin marriages
register.
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17
LEGITIMACY:
Children born outside marriage become legitimate i n canon
a n d civil l a w o nmarriage o fthe parents. T h e children o f a marriage
w h i c h i s a n n u l l e d (q.v.) r e m a i n l e g i t i m a t e .
MARGIN
NOTES: N o t e s w r i t t e n i n t h e m a r g i n s o f t h e l i b e r b a p t i z a t o r u m
(q.v.) r e c o r d i n g d e t a i l s o f l a t e r m a r r i a g e a n d c o n f i r m a t i o n , o r t h e
l i b e r m a t r i m o n i u m (q.v.) r e c o r d i n g d e t a i l s o f d i s p e n s a t i o n s g r a n t e d .
MARRIAGE
ALLEGATION:
A declaration o n oath b y persons applying
f o r a m a r r i a g e l i c e n c e (q.v.) t h a t t h e y k n o w o f n o i m p e d i m e n t t o
the marriage.
MARRIAGE
LICENCE:
A licence t o m a r r y w i t h o u t publication o f banns,
i s s u e d b y t h e a r c h d e a c o n o r v i c a r g e n e r a l (qq.v.) a f t e r a m a r r i a g e
a l l e g a t i o n (q.v.).
MATRIMONIAL
TRIBUNAL:
T h e Catholic canon l a w court i neach diocese
w h i c h h e a r s p e t i t i o n s f o r t h e a n n u l m e n t (q.v.) o f m a r r i a g e s .
MICROFICHE:
A sheet o f f i l m containing m i n i a t u r e photographs o f
d o c u m e n t s , w h i c h a r eread t h r o u g h a special fiche reader.
MICROFILM:
A s t r i p o ff i l m o n w h i c h successive p a g e s o f d o c u m e n t s
are p h o t o g r a p h e d .
MISSION:
(1)T h e technical description o f t h e local unit o f t h e Catholic
C h u r c h i n England before t h econstitution o fparishes i n 1918. (2)
Evangelising activity i n anon-Catholic country. Hence, the structure
of the E n g l i s h Catholic C h u r c h i n penal times. (3)Avisit t oa parish
or area b y a n i n d i v i d u a l o r g r o u p o f preachers w h o h o l d special
services t orouse religious fervour.
MISSIONARY
APOSTOLIC:
A priest h o l d i n g ecclesiastical a u t h o r i t y i n a
m i s s i o n (q.v.) f r o m p e n a l t i m e s u n t i l 1 9 1 8 , w h e n h e b e c a m e t h e
p a r i s h p r i e s t . I n a r e g i s t e r t h e t i t l e i s a b b r e v i a t e d t o raz'ss apos a f t e r t h e
priest's signature. I n the nineteenth century the title w a s sometimes
t r a n s l a t e d a s r e c t o r (q.v.)
MISSIONARY
COADJUTOR:
A n assistant t o a m i s s i o n a r y apostolic - a
c u r a t e (q.v.). I n a r e g i s t e r t h e t i t l e i s a b b r e v i a t e d t o miss coad a f t e r t h e
priest's signature.
MIXED
MARRIAGE:
I n Catholic use, this i sa marriage b e t w e e n a Catholic
and a non-Catholic.
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18
NE TEMERE: A d e c r e e o f 1 9 0 7 , w h i c h m o d i f i e d t h e d e c r e e Tametsi (q.v.) a n d
applied i tt om o s t countries o fthe w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g Britain.
NONCONFORMIST:
A person w h o does n o tc o n f o r m t o t h e C h u r c h o f
E n g l a n d . Initially, t h e w o r d w a s used t odescribe a n y such person,
b u t l a t e r m e a n t o n l y P r o t e s t a n t s , t h e w o r d r e c u s a n t (q.v.) t h e n b e i n g
used t odescribe Catholics.
NON-JURORS:
M e m b e r s o fthe C h u r c h o fE n g l a n d w h o refused t o take the
o a t h o fallegiance t oW i l l i a m I I Io nthe g r o u n d that this w o u l d break
the s a m e o a t h w h i c h they h a d already s w o r n t oJames I I .
NUN: A m e m b e r o f a r e l i g i o u s o r d e r o f w o m e n . N u n s c a n b e c o n t e m p l a t i v e
( p r a y i n g i n a c o n v e n t ) o r a c t i v e ( t e a c h i n g , n u r s i n g etc.) T h e r e a r e
v e r y m a n y orders o fn u n s , each o fw h i c h h a sits o w n archives.
OFFICIAL:
OLIM:
T h e j u d g e i n t h e c o n s i s t o r y c o u r t (q.v.) o r m a r r i a g e t r i b u n a l (q.v.).
T h e L a t i n w o r d w h i c h m e a n s formerly. T h e u s u a l w a y i n a L a t i n
register o findicating a m a r r i e d w o m a n ' s m a i d e n n a m e .
ORDINARY: T h e p e r s o n w h o b y v i r t u e o f h i s o f f i c e e x e r c i s e s e c c l e s i a s t i c a l
jurisdiction i na place. T h i s i su s u a l l y t h e bishop, b u t i n a peculiar
(q.v.) c a n b e a n o t h e r p e r s o n .
O.S.B.: O r d e r o f S t B e n e d i c t - a p p e n d e d t o t h e s i g n a t u r e o f a p r i e s t o f t h e
Benedictine order.
O.F.M: O r d e r o f F r i a r s M i n o r - a p p e n d e d t o t h e s i g n a t u r e o f a p r i e s t o f t h e
Franciscan order.
O.P.: O r d e r o f P r e a c h e r s - a p p e n d e d
D o m i n i c a n order.
t o t h esignature o fa priest o f t h e
PAPIST: A d e r o g a t o r y t e r m f o r a C a t h o l i c .
PARENTS: T h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e u p b r i n g i n g o f c h i l d r e n . A s w e l l a s
physical parents, parents c a n b e social parents (grandparents,
u n c l e s , a u n t s , s i b l i n g s etc.), w h o a c t u a l l y b r i n g u p t h e c h i l d r e n i n t h e
absence o fthe physical parents.
PARISH:
(1)A defined geographical area w i t h a church, congregation a n d
priest. (2)A civil district for the purposes o f local g o v e r n m e n t ; this
s e c o n d m e a n i n g h a s g i v e n r i s e t o e x p r e s s i o n s s u c h a s parish relief.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
PARISH
PARISH
PARISH
19
CHURCH: T h e m a i n c h u r c h o f a p a r i s h , o f a n y d e n o m i n a t i o n b u t
legally t h e local A n g l i c a n church. U n t i l t h e f o r m a t i o n o f Catholic
parishes f r o m m i s s i o n s i n 1918, C a t h o l i c s u s e d t h e t e r m t o m e a n
(and for m a n y Catholics still means) the local A n g l i c a n church.
PRIEST:
T h e priest w i t h administrative responsibility for a parish.
REGISTERS:
T h i s t e r m c a n m e a n the registers k e p t b y a n y church,
b u t legally m e a n s the registers o f baptisms, marriages a n d funerals
kept b ythe Church o f England.
PAULINE PRIVILEGE:
The right i n canon l a w for a nunbaptised person, o n
becoming a Christian, t ocontract a n e w marriage if the other partner
w i l l n o t b e c o m e a C h r i s t i a n o r places obstacles i n t h ew a y o f t h e
Christian practising the faith.
PECULIAR:
A church
jurisdiction.
o r place n o tsubject t o o r d i n a r y
ecclesiastical
PENAL
LAWS: T h e s e r i e s o f l a w s i n f o r c e i n E n g l a n d b e t w e e n 1 5 5 9 a n d 1 8 2 9
w h i c h prohibited t h e practice o f Catholicism a n d imposed
civil disabilities o nCatholics. Serious persecution w a s between
1571 a n d 1778.
PETTY
SESSIONS:
A l o c a l c o u r t o f t w o o r t h r e e j u s t i c e s o f t h e p e a c e (q.v.)
administering s u m m a r y jurisdiction.
PIPE ROLLS: T h e o l d e x c h e q u e r r e c o r d s o f t h e p a y m e n t o f f i n e s i m p o s e d b y
the courts. T h e records for a year (Michaelmas t oMichaelmas) w e r e
s e w n together, rolled a n d stored i n a tube - hence the name.
PRESENTMENT:
A report t oa court b yauthorised persons that they h a d
personal k n o w l e d g e that a n offence h a d been c o m m i t t e d .
QUARTER SESSIONS:
A m e e t i n g o f t h e j u s t i c e s o f t h e p e a c e (q.v.) f o r t h e
w h o l e o f a county held four times a year t o t r y t h em o r e serious
offences. T h e justices i n quarter sessions h a d w i d e p o w e r s , a n d u n t i l
1842 c o u l d i m p o s e capital p u n i s h m e n t .
RECTOR:
I nthe C h u r c h o fE n g l a n d there is a legal definition, concerning
tithes, o f a rector, b u t n o w h e i s essentially t h e i n c u m b e n t o f t h e
m o t h e r church o f t h e ancient parish. I nt h e Catholic C h u r c h t h e
w o r d w a s used i n t h enineteenth century as a n equivalent o f
m i s s i o n a r y a p o s t o l i c (q.v.).
20
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
RECUSANT:
A person w h o refused t o attend the parish church. T h e w o r d
came into u s e about 1570, a n dincluded both Catholics a n d
Protestant dissenters, b u t u s u a l l y m e a n t Catholics.
RECUSANT
ROLLS: A s p e c i a l s e r i e s o f p i p e r o l l s (q.v.) d e a l i n g e x c l u s i v e l y
w i t h convictions f o rrecusancy. T h e y include t h e names o f a
substantial n u m b e r o f Protestant dissenters.
REGISTRAR:
A civil officer responsible for t h ecustody o fthe registers o f
births, marriages and deaths and w h o conducts civil marriages. T h e
presence o fa registrar is essential for the civil validity o f a marriage
conducted i n a Catholic church.
REGISTRATION
ACT, 1836: A n A c t o f P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h a l l o w e d C a t h o l i c
c h u r c h e s t o b e l i c e n s e d f o r m a r r i a g e s , a l t h o u g h a r e g i s t r a r (q.v.) a n d
t w o witnesses h a d t o b e present. T h e act also required t h e civil
registration o fall births a n d deaths.
REGISTRATION
OF PAPISTS
ESTATES:
Catholics were held t o be
c o l l e c t i v e l y g u i l t y o f p l o t t i n g t h e f i r s t J a c o b i t e r i s i n g (q.v.) a n d a n A c t
of P a r l i a m e n t r e q u i r e d all Catholics t o register their estates w i t h the
c l e r k o f t h e p e a c e (q.v.) o f t h e c o u n t y i n w h i c h t h e y l a y .
RESCUE:
T h e n a m e g i v e n i n the n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y t othe social w o r k o f the
C h u r c h , especially the care o f o r p h a n s a n d the k e e p i n g o f Catholic
children f r o m the public workhouses.
RETURNS OF PAPISTS: C e n s u s e s , o n v a r i o u s o c c a s i o n s , o f t h e n u m b e r s o f
Catholics, u s u a l l y t a k e n b yt h eC h u r c h o fE n g l a n d o n the order o f
the H o u s e o fLords. T h e m o r e descriptive returns are for the diocese
o f C h e s t e r i n 1705 a n d 1767.
SEPARATION:
T h eacto f m a r r i e d persons n o longer l i v i n g together. T h e
marriage remains valid a n d the b o n d isnot dissolved; neither party
is free t o r e - m a r r y .
SEQUESTRATION:
been paid.
T h e t a k i n g o fproperty w h e n a ni m p o s e d fine h a s n o t
SETTLEMENT:
Various Acts o f Parliament, passed f r o m 1662, allowed
j u s t i c e s o f t h e p e a c e (q.v.) t o r e t u r n t o t h e i r h o m e p a r i s h (q.v.) a n y
person w h o had, o r m i g h t , become a charge o nthe poor rate o f the
parish i n w h i c h they were living. Various ways i n w h i c h settlement
in a parish could b e obtained w e r e specified i n the Acts.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
S.J.: S o c i e t y o f J e s u s - a p p e n d e d
Jesuit order.
t ot h e signature
21
o fa priest o f t h e
SPONSOR: D e r i v e d f r o m t h e L a t i n w o r d w h i c h m e a n s to promise, t h i s i s t h e
correct t e r m i n canon l a w for w h a t i n E n g l a n d is called a godparent
(q.v.). T h e w o r d w a s t h e u s u a l t e r m i n C a t h o l i c u s e u n t i l t h e l a t e
nineteenth century.
SUB CONDITIONE:
T h e L a t i n w o r d s w h i c h m e a n conditionally. W r i t t e n i n
the liber b a p t i z a t o r u m t oindicate that the person baptised h a d been
baptised previously b u tthat there w a sdoubt about t h e validityo f
the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h esacrament. I tusually indicates a convert
(q.v.) t o C a t h o l i c i s m . G o d p a r e n t s ( s p o n s o r s ) a r e n o t r e q u i r e d i n s u c h
a circumstance.
TAMETSI: A d e c r e e o f t h e C o u n c i l o f T r e n t (q.v.) i n 1 5 6 3 w h i c h p r e s c r i b e d
the f o r m a l methods o f celebrating m a t r i m o n y a n drequired that a
marriage i nw h i c h o n e o rb o t h o f t h e parties a r eCatholic m u s t
b e c e l e b r a t e d b e f o r e t h e p a r i s h p r i e s t (q.v.) o f o n e o f t h e p a r t i e s ,
or a priest delegated b y h i m , a n d t w o witnesses. I tw a s n o t enforced
in England.
TITULAR
BISHOP: A b i s h o p a p p o i n t e d t o a s e e w h i c h h a s b e e n a b a n d o n e d ,
t r a n s f e r r e d o r o t h e r w i s e d lapsed. T h e s e sees a r eu s u a l l y i n M o s l e m
A s i a a n d w e r e f o r m e r l y s t y l e d in partibus infedelium
(q.v.).
Such bishops a r eappointed as auxiliary bishops o r as vicars
a p o s t o l i c (q.v.) i n m i s s i o n a r y c o u n t r i e s a n d h a v e d e l e g a t e d a n d n o t
ordinary jurisdiction.
TRENT,
COUNCIL OF: A g e n e r a l c o u n c i l o f t h e C h u r c h h e l d i n T r e n t o
( A n g l i c i s e d t o T r e n t ) i nn o r t h e r n I t a l y f r o m 1 5 4 5t o 1563. I t c o d i f i e d
the counter r e f o r m a t i o n a n dre-established discipline a n d spiritual
life i nthe Catholic Church.
T R I D E N T I N E : T h e adjective w h i c h describes t h e C o u n c i l o f Trent; i t is
derived f r o m Tridentium, the Latin name for Trento.
UNIATES: M e m b e r s o f t h e e a s t e r n C h u r c h e s w h i c h a r e i n c o m m u n i o n w i t h
R o m e b u t w h i c h retain their o w n rites, discipline a n d language.
S o m e i m m i g r a n t s c o m m u n i t i e s (q.v.), e . g . t h e U k r a i n i a n s , h a v e t h e i r
o w n uniate churches.
22
The Catholic Family Historian's
Handbook
VICAR:
A d e p u t y - a priest w h o takes the place o fanother. I n the C h u r c h o f
E n g l a n d there i s a legal d e f i n i t i o n , concerning the tithes, o f a vicar,
but n o w h e isusually the incumbent o fa parish f o r m e d b y division
of the ancient parish.
VICAR
APOSTOLIC:
A t i t u l a r b i s h o p (q.v.) e x e r c i s i n g a u t h o r i t y i n a p l a c e
w h e r e the n o r m a l hierarchy isnot established. Vicars apostolic r u l e d
the C a t h o l i c C h u r c h i n E n g l a n d f r o m 1623 u n t i l the r e s t o r a t i o n of the
h i e r a r c h y i n 1850.
VICAR
GENERAL:
A person t o w h o m a bishop deputes t h e exercise o f
certain functions, such as t h e issue o f marriage licences a n d
d i s p e n s a t i o n s (qq.v.).
VISITATION:
A n o f f i c i a l v i s i t b y t h e o r d i n a r y (q.v.) t o a n y p l a c e i n
his jurisdiction.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
XI
Record Offices
National Record Offices
T h e H o u s e of Lords Record Office, L o n d o n , S W 1 A OPW.
Public Record Office, K e w , Surrey, T W 9 4 D U . ( A l l records except census
returns and wills and administrations.)
T h e F a m i l y Records Centre, 1 , M y d d e l t o n Street, L o n d o n , E C 1 R 1 U W .
(Census returns and wills and administrations.)
T h e G e n e r a l Register Office, St Catherine's H o u s e , K i n g s w a y ,
L o n d o n , W C 2 B 6JP.
Important Catholic Record Offices
B i r m i n g h a m A r c h d i o c e s a n A r c h i v e s , C a t h e d r a l H o u s e , St C h a d ' s
Queensway, B i r m i n g h a m , B4 6EX.
Clifton Diocesan Archives, Bishop's House, Egerton Road, Bishopston,
Bristol, BS7 8 H U .
H e x h a m a n d N e w c a s t l e D i o c e s a n A r c h i v e s , Bishop's H o u s e , 800, W e s t
R o a d , N e w c a s t l e - u p o n - T y n e , N E 5 7BJ.
L e e d s D i o c e s a n A r c h i v e s , 7, S t M a r k ' s A v e n u e , L e e d s , L S 2 9 B N .
L i v e r p o o l A r c h d i o c e s a n A r c h i v e s , G r a d w e l l L i b r a r y , St Joseph's College,
U p h o l l a n d , Skelmersdale, Lancashire, W N 8 OPZ.
Westminster Archdiocesan Archives, 16A, A b i n g d o n Road, Kensington,
London, W 8 6AF.
St C u t h b e r t ' s College, U s h a w , D u r h a m , D H 7 9 R H .
O t h e r C a t h o l i c r e c o r d o f f i c e s a r e d e t a i l e d i n t h e Directory of Catholic
Archives in the United Kingdom and Eire, C a t h o l i c A r c h i v e s S o c i e t y ,
(Newcastle, 1989).
23
24
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
County and Civic Record Offices
ENGLAND
Bedfordshire: C o u n t y H a l l , C a u l d w e l l Street, B e d f o r d , M K 4 2 9 A P .
Berkshire: Shire Hall, Shinfield Park, Reading, R G 2 9 X D .
Buckinghamshire: County Hall, Aylesbury, HP20 1UA.
Cambridgeshire: Shire Hall, Cambridge, CB3 OAP.
Cheshire: D u k e Street, Chester, C H I 1 R L .
Cornwall: County Hall, Truro, T R 1 3AY.
C u m b e r l a n d : T h e Castle, Carlisle, C A 3 8 U A .
D e r b y s h i r e : N e w Street, M a t l o c k , D E 4 3 D N .
D e v o n : Castle Street, Exeter, E X 4 3 P U .
Dorset: 9 ,B r i d p o r t R o a d , Dorchester, D T I 1RP.
Durham: County Hall, Durham, D H 1 5UL.
Essex: C o u n t y H a l l , C h e l m s f o r d , C M 1 1LX.
Gloucestershire: Clarence R o w , A l v i n Street, Gloucester, G L 1 3 D W .
H a m p s h i r e : Sussex Street, Winchester, S 0 2 3 8 T H .
H e r e f o r d s h i r e : T h e O l d Barracks, H a r o l d Street, H e r e f o r d , H R 1 2 Q X .
Hertfordshire: C o u n t y Hall, Hertford, SG13
8DE.
H u n t i n g d o n s h i r e : G r a m m a r School W a l k , H u n t i n g d o n , PE18 6LF.
Kent: County Hall, Maidstone, M E 1 4
1XQ.
Lancashire: B o w Lane, Preston, P R 1 2RE.
Leicestershire: L o n g Street, W i g t o n M a g n a , Leicester, L E 8 2 A H .
L i n c o l n s h i r e : St R u m b o l d Street, L i n c o l n , L N 2 5 A B .
L o n d o n (Greater): 40, N o r t h a m p t o n R o a d , L o n d o n , E C 1 R O H B .
M i d d l e s e x : 40, N o r t h a m p t o n R o a d , L o n d o n , E C 1 R O H B .
N o r f o l k : Gildengate House, A n g l i a Square, N o r w i c h , N R 3
1EB.
The Catholic Family Historian's
Handbook
Northamptonshire: W o o t t o n Hall Park, Northampton, N N 4
25
8BQ.
Northumberland: Melton Park, North Gosforth,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, N E 3 5QX.
Nottinghamshire: Castle M e a d o w Road, N o t t i n g h a m , N G 2
1AG.
Oxfordshire: County Hall, N e w Road, Oxford, O X 1 1 N D .
R u t l a n d : C o u n t y Offices, O a k h a m , LE15
6HP.
Shropshire: Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, SY1 2 A Q .
Somerset: Obridge Road, Taunton, T A 2 7PU.
Suffolk: Gatacre Road, Ipswich, IP1 2LQ.
Surrey: Castle Arch, Guilford, G U I
3SX.
Sussex, West: C o u n t y Hall, Chichester, P 0 1 9
1RN.
Sussex, East: T h e M a l t i n g s , Castle Precincts, Lewes, B N 7 1YT.
Warwickshire: Priory Park, Cape Road, Warwick, CV34
4JS.
W e s t m o r l a n d : C o u n t y Offices, K e n d a l , L A 9 4 R Q .
Wiltshire: County Hall, Trowbridge, B A M
8JG.
Worcestershire: C o u n t y H a l l , Worcester, W R 5 2 N A .
Yorkshire, East Riding: C o u n t y Hall, Beverley, H U 1 7
Yorkshire, West Riding: Registry of Deeds, Newstead
Wakefield, W F 1 2DE.
9BA.
Road,
Yorkshire, N o r t h Riding: County Hall, Northallerton, D L 7 8AF.
WALES
Anglesey: Shire Hall, Llangefni, LL77 7 T W .
Brecon: C o u n t y Hall, Llandrindod Wells, L D 1 5LG.
C a r d i g a n : S w y d d f a ' r Sir, M a r i n e Terrace, A b e r y s t w y t h , S Y 2 3 2 D E .
C a e r n a r v o n : C o u n t y Offices, C a e r n a r v o n , L L 5 5
Carmarthen: County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31
1SH.
1JP.
26
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Flintshire: T h e O l d Rectory, H a w a r d e n , C H 5
3NR.
Glamorgan: County Hall, King E d w a r d V I I Avenue, Cathays Park,
Cardiff, CF1 3 N E .
Merioneth: Cae Penarlag, Dolgellau, LL40
2YB.
Monmouthshire: County Hall, Cwmbran, NP44 2XH.
Pembroke: T h e Castle, Haverfordwest, SA61
2EF.
Radnor: County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, L D 1 5LG.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
XII
27
Libraries
Catholic C e n t r a l L i b r a r y , L a n c i n g Street, L o n d o n , N W 1 1 N D .
D o w n s i d e Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Bath, B A 3 4 R H .
G r a d w e l l Library, St Joseph's College, U p h o l l a n d , Skelmersdale,
Lancashire, W N 8 OPZ.
St C u t h b e r t ' s College, U s h a w , D u r h a m , D H 7 9 R H .
Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ.
Talbot L i b r a r y , St W a l b u r g e ' s , W e s t o n Street, P r e s t o n , Lancashire, P R 2 2 Q E .
T h e S o c i e t y o f G e n e a l o g i s t s , 14, C h a r t e r h o u s e B u i l d i n g s , G o s w e l l R o a d ,
London, E C 1 M 7BA.
28
XIII
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Societies
C a t h o l i c A r c h i v e s Society, I n n y n g s H o u s e , H a t f i e l d P a r k , H a t f i e l d ,
A L 9 5PL.
C a t h o l i c F a m i l y H i s t o r y Society, 45, G a t e s G r e e n R o a d , W e s t W i c k h a m ,
Kent, BR4 9DE.
C a t h o l i c R e c o r d Society, 12, M e l b o u r n e Place, W o l s i n g h a m , C o . D u r h a m ,
DL13 3EH.
T h e Federation of F a m i l y H i s t o r y Societies, Benson R o o m , B i r m i n g h a m
a n d M i d l a n d Institute, M a r g a r e t Street, B i r m i n g h a m , B3 3BS.
E n g l i s h C a t h o l i c H i s t o r y G r o u p , 4, L o w e r C h i l t o n , C h i l t o n C a n t e l l o ,
Yeovil, BA22 8BD.
I r i s h F a m i l y H i s t o r y Society, P.O. B o x 36, N a a s , C o u n t y K i l d a r e , I r e l a n d .
K e n t R e c u s a n t Society, 83, R o p e r R o a d , C a n t e r b u r y , C T 2 7RS.
N o r t h East C a t h o l i c H i s t o r y Society, 47, L a n g l e y Terrace, Jarrow,
NE32 5DX.
N o r t h W e s t C a t h o l i c H i s t o r y Society, 10, E l l e s m e r e R o a d , P e m b e r t o n ,
Wigan, W N 5 9LA.
Scottish C a t h o l i c H i s t o r i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n , 34, N i t h Street, G l a s g o w , G 3 3 2 A F .
T h e S o c i e t y o f G e n e a l o g i s t s , 14, C h a r t e r h o u s e B u i l d i n g s , G o s w e l l R o a d ,
London, E C 1 M 7BA.
S o u t h W e s t e r n C a t h o l i c H i s t o r y Society, D o w n s i d e A b b e y , S t r a t t o n - o n - t h e Fosse, Bath, B A 3 4 R H .
S t a f f o r d s h i r e C a t h o l i c H i s t o r y Society, 55, S t a f f o r d R o a d , Stone, ST15 O H E .
Worcestershire Catholic History, M o r e House, H a y w o o d Drive, Tettenhall,
Wolverhampton, W V 6 8RF
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
XIV
Journals
Catholic Ancestor.
Catholic Archives.
Essex Recusant ( n o l o n g e r p u b l i s h e d ) .
Family History News and Digest.
Genealogists' Magazine.
Innes Review.
Kent Recusant.
London Recusant.
Manchester Genealogist.
Midland Catholic History.
Northern Catholic History.
North West Catholic History.
Recusant History.
Staffordshire Catholic History ( n o l o n g e r p u b l i s h e d ) .
South West Catholic History.
Worcester Recusant ( n o l o n g e r p u b l i s h e d ) .
29
30
XV
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Sources
Records of the Forfeited Estates Commission, P u b l i c R e c o r d O f f i c e H a n d b o o k
N o 12,1968.
Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office, P u b l i c R e c o r d O f f i c e
H a n d b o o k N o . 19, 4 t h . e d i t i o n , 1991.
J. A . H i l t o n , A . J . M i t c h i n s o n , B a r b a r a M u r r a y a n d P e g g y W e l l s ( e d s . ) ,
Bishop Leyburn's Confirmation Register of 1687 ( W i g a n , 1 9 9 7 ) .
A . J . M i t c h i n s o n ( e d . ) , Return of the Papists for the Diocese of Chester, 1705
( W i g a n , 1986).
E . S . W o r r a l ( e d . ) , Returns of Papists for 1767 ( 2 v o l s , L o n d o n , 1 9 8 0
M . W . Greenslade, 'The 1767 R e t u r n of Staffordshire Papists',
Catholic History, 1 7 , 1 9 7 7 .
-1989).
Staffordshire
M . W . G r e e n s l a d e , ' S t a f f o r d s h i r e P a p i s t s i n 1 7 0 5 a n d 1 7 0 6 ' , Staffordshire
Catholic History, 1 3 , 1 9 7 3 .
N o r m a n G a r d n e r ( e d . ) , Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records: Register of
Recusants 1678 ( W i g a n , 1 9 9 8 ) .
N o r m a n G a r d n e r ( e d . ) , Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records: Register of
Recusants 1679 ( W i g a n , 1 9 9 8 ) .
E . E . E s t c o u r t a n d J . O . P a y n e , English Catholic Non-furors of 1715
( L o n d o n , 1886).
Registration of Papists Estates, 1715 -1791. T h e s e e s t a t e s w e r e r e g i s t e r e d
w i t h the clerk of the peace for each c o u n t y - details at local
record offices.
D . J . S t e e l e , National Index of Parish Registers, Volume III Sources for Roman
Catholic...Genealogy & Family History ( C h i c h e s t e r , 1 9 7 4 ) .
International Genealogical Index, t h e F a m i l y H i s t o r y L i b r a r y , S a l t L a k e C i t y ,
v a r i o u s dates.
P e r c i v a l B o y d , Index of Marriages, t h e S o c i e t y o f G e n e l o g i s t s , v a r i o u s d a t e s .
M i c h a e l G a n d y , Catholic Family History a Bibliography of General Sources
( L o n d o n , 1996).
M i c h a e l G a n d y , Catholic Family History a Bibliography of Local Sources
( L o n d o n , 1996).
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
31
M i c h a e l G a n d y , Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700 -1880,
(6 v o l s , L o n d o n , 1993).
M i c h a e l G a n d y , Catholic Parishes in England, Wales and Scotland: An Atlas
( L o n d o n , 1993).
Directory of Catholic Archives in the United Kingdom and Eire, C a t h o l i c
A r c h i v e s Society (Newcastle, 1989).
J. A . W i l l i a m s , ' S o u r c e s f o r R e c u s a n t H i s t o r y i n E n g l i s h O f f i c i a l A r c h i v e s ' ,
Recusant History, 1 6 , ( 4 ) 1 9 8 3 .
D . A . B e l l i n g e r , English and Welsh Priests 1558 -1800 ( D o w n s i d e , 1 9 8 4 ) .
C . F i t z g e r a l d - L o m b a r d , English and Welsh Priests 1801
( D o w n s i d e , 1993).
-1914
32
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The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
Writing a Family History
(Contributed by J. A. Hilton)
Once a family's history h a sbeen discovered, i t should b e written and
published. Just asg o o d local history is of general interest, because local a n d
general history can i l l u m i n a t e each other, s o f a m i l y history can b e o f m o r e
general interest. T h e w o r k of the microhistorians, p r e - e m i n e n t l y G i n z b u r g ,
demonstrate the relationship between the particular a n d the general.
S c h o l a r l y h i s t o r y uses notes t o cite i t s evidence. A l t h o u g h d i f f e r e n t
publishers and journals have their o w n house-styles, there a r e certain
general conventions. F o r b o o k s a n d articles, the author, the title, the date o f
publications, and the relevant page numbers should b e given. For original
manuscripts, the n a m e and location o f the repository and the names o r
r e f e r e n c e n u m b e r s o f t h e d o c u m e n t s s h o u l d b e g i v e n . T h e MHRA Style Book
covers these and other matters.
F a m i l y history needs to b e placed i n the local a n d socio-economic contexts.
Cobb's w o r k demonstrates h o w t o write about t h e lives o f obscure
i n d i v i d u a l s . F a m i l y h i s t o r y also needs to address s o m e of the topics of social
history, s u c h questions as the age o f m a r r i a g e , f a m i l y size, a n d social a n d
geographical mobility.
Catholic f a m i l y history s h o u l d concentrate o nthe functions o f religion i n
p r o v i d i n g a n element o f protest, legitimating i m p r o v e m e n t , a n d
ameliorating anomie. I t c a n also u s e t h e concepts o f a n t h r o p o l o g y i n
examining the role o fthe family, including not o n l y biological parents but
also social parents, i n t r a n s m i t t i n g religion.
Faced w i t h the horror o f the blank page, some students find the actual
w r i t i n g a p r o b l e m . H a v i n g decided the m a i n p o i n t s o fthe a r g u m e n t , state
e a c h o n e clearly a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o fa p a r a g r a p h a n d b a c k i t u p w i t h facts.
T h e r e are m a n y b o o k s o f f e r i n g a d v i c e o n w r i t i n g , i n c l u d i n g G o w e r ' s classic.
It i s a l w a y s h e l p f u l t o h a v e s o m e o n e else t o read a n d t o correct t h e d r a f t
version of any writing.
Catholic f a m i l y history isready to m a k e the k i n d of scholarly breakthrough
that Catholic local history has already made. A H o u g h t o n f a m i l y history
points the way.
The Catholic Family Historian's Handbook
33
Bibliography:
M . A b b o t t , Family Ties ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 3 ) .
M . A b b o t t , History Skills: A student's handbook ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 6 ) .
M . A n d e r s o n , Approaches to the History of the Western Family 1500-1914
( L o n d o n , 1980).
R . C o b b , A Sense of Place ( L o n d o n , 1 9 7 5 ) .
R . C o b b , Promenades ( O x f o r d , 1 9 8 0 ) .
R . C o b b , The French and their Revolution ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 8 ) .
S . C o l e m a n a n d H . W a t s o n , An Introduction to Anthropology ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 0 ) .
R . F o x , Kinship and Marriage ( H a r m o n d s o r t h , 1 9 6 7 ) .
A . D . G i l b e r t , Religion and Society in Industrial England ( L o n d o n , 1 9 7 6 ) .
J. R . G i l l i s , A World of their Own Making ( O x f o r d , 1 9 9 8 ) .
C . G i n z b u r g , The Cheese and the Worms ( L o n d o n , 1 9 9 2 ) .
E . G o w e r , The Complete Plain Words ( H a r m o n d s w o r t h , 1 9 6 2 ) .
D . H e y , The Oxford Guide to Family History ( O x f o r d , 1 9 9 3 ) .
B. A . H o u g h t o n , T h e H o u g h t o n F a m i l y : C i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d C a t h o l i c i s m i n
S e v e n t e e n t h - C e n t u r y H a l e w o o d ' , North West Catholic History, X I ,
1984, p p 5-7.
L . M a i r , An Introduction to Social Anthropology ( O x f o r d , 1 9 6 5 ) .
H . M c L e o d , Religion and the People of Western Europe 1789-1970
( L o n d o n , 1981).
MHRA
Style Book ( L e e d s , 1 9 9 6 ) .
E . M u i r a n d G . R u g g i e r o , Microhistory and the Lost Peoples of Europe
( L o n d o n , 1991).
I ) . P o c o c k , Understanding Social Anthropology ( L o n d o n , 1 9 7 5 ) .
L . S t o n e , The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 1500-1800 ( L o n d o n , 1 9 8 2 ) .
Dr. A l l a n Mitchinson, a m e m b e r o f a Catholic f a m i l y w h i c h h a s been
established i n W i g a n since t h e eighteenth century, is w e l l k n o w n i n
Lancashire as a lecturer o nCatholic f a m i l y history. H e isthe editor o f the
Return of the Papists for the Diocese of Chester, 1705 a n d c o - e d i t o r o f Bishop
Leyburn's Confirmation Register of 1685.
I n t h i s Handbook, D r M i t c h i n s o n d i r e c t s f a m i l y h i s t o r i a n s t o t h e s o u r c e s f o r
Catholic f a m i l y history a n d provides other aids, such as a chronology, a
glossary a n d samples o f scripts.
ISBN 0 9531020 4 1
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