Blog
Reflections of Research
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Beyond the Bill:
The author explores seventeenth-century Chancery records from an inheritance dispute in Surrey, focusing on interrogatories and depositions. These documents provide detailed insights into family relationships, ownership, and local perceptions. Unlike… Read more ⇢
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Lost in Translation?
Transcribing medieval manorial court records presents challenges due to inconsistent Latin spelling and unfamiliar handwriting. While translation can be manageable with known phrases, understanding clerks’ writings is crucial. Recognising patterns… Read more ⇢
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Hidden Stories in Chancery Records
The author reflects on preparing a lecture about Chancery records for genealogical research, highlighting their value as rich sources of family history. These records provide insights into familial disputes and… Read more ⇢
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More Than Just an Inheritance
Inquisitions Post Mortem (IPM) are vital medieval land records that provide insights into landownership, inheritance, and family relationships following a tenant’s death. They assist family historians and genealogists in reconstructing… Read more ⇢
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Spring Cleaning… in Summer!
The post reflects on the tradition of spring cleaning, linking it to historical practices across cultures that symbolise renewal. It highlights its Victorian significance due to the necessity of cleaning… Read more ⇢
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Don’t overlook Particulars of Sale!
Auction sale particulars, often overlooked, offer significant insights into a property’s history. Examining details from Northease Farm’s 1919 catalogue reveals its scale, tenant, and community aspects, alongside descriptions of buildings… Read more ⇢
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Those Eureka Moments
This week, I experienced multiple breakthroughs while researching a client’s ancestor. Initially stumped by missing baptism records, I uncovered the family’s history through Land Tax records and a burial entry,… Read more ⇢
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Sailing Through History
During the spring half term, a family enjoyed sailing around the picturesque South Ionian Islands of Greece, reflecting on their rich maritime history. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Sailing Holidays has… Read more ⇢
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Tracing the origins of a grand Georgian house
This week, I researched the ownership history of Cranley House in Cranleigh, Surrey, a Georgian property built between 1770 and 1830. Formerly a hotel, it was demolished in the 1980s.… Read more ⇢
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The Story Hidden in Your Surname
English surnames, originating primarily post-Norman Conquest, embody stories of ancestry, occupation, and geography. Initially ephemeral, they transitioned into hereditary labels reflecting personal lineage, place, or character traits. Surnames serve as… Read more ⇢
Sarah Pettyfer 