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Optional Print Course Material: English: Court Records - Criminal, Civil and Ecclesiastical
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
This course deals with records
of use by genealogists and family historians from the many
English courts that controlled our ancestors’ lives—canon law,
feudal law, customary law, common law and equity.
The former importance of ecclesiastical courts is emphasized. Civil ones comprising manor courts, petty, borough and quarter sessions as well as chancery and exchequer courts are covered. Criminal assizes and records of prisoners and convicts, gaols and transportation are discussed. The availability of original records and indexes to the researcher situated anywhere in the world and their relevance to genealogical investigations is explained.
Course Length: 6 weeks
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Ecclesiastical Courts
Ecclesiastical Causes
Parish Boundaries
Probate
Tithes
Usury
Witchcraft & Sorcery
MODULE 2
CHURCH HIERARCHY & COURTS
Archdiaconal Courts
Diocesan Courts
Provincial Church Courts
High Court of Delegates
Peculiars & Donatives
Doctors' Commons
Procedures & Records
Cause Procedures
Sentences
Location of Records, Calendars & Indexes
MODULE 3
CIVIL COURTS
Civil Court Officials
Civil Court Proceedings
Early Civil Courts
Manor Courts
Petty, Borough & Quarter Sessions
Sessions Cases
MODULE 4
SOME CIVIL CAUSES/SUITS
Definitions
Divorce
Special Courts
Funds in Chancery
Chancery Office Records
Revenue Courts with Equity Proceedings
MODULE 5
CRIMINAL COURTS
Assize Courts
The General Eyre
Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)
Court of Criminal Appeal
Prisoners & Punishments
REFERENCES