London's 18th Century Secular Records
This presentation focuses on secular records available in London that can be used for researching 18th-century Sephardic Jewish genealogy. The speaker begins by acknowledging the standard sources used for this research: the Bevis Marks Synagogue archives, civil registration records (which began in 1831), and national census data (which started in 1841). However, he emphasizes that these sources provide limited information about individuals' lives and experiences.
The speaker then introduces a wide array of alternative sources, grouped into categories like Publications, Reports, the Corporation of London, Church Records, Illustrations and Artifacts, Wills and Probate, Freemasonry, and Money.
The speaker repeatedly underscores that these sources offer valuable details not found in traditional genealogical resources and can help researchers understand the social, economic, and cultural contexts of their ancestors' lives.
Here are some specific examples of the records discussed and the insights they provide:
The London Gazette, a government journal of record, contains notices about businesses, probate, bankruptcies, and even rewards offered for lost items. These notices often mention individuals' names, occupations, addresses, and family connections, offering glimpses into their financial dealings and social networks.
Newspapers, becoming increasingly popular in the 18th century, are rich sources for scandals and unusual events. They might report on crimes, elopements, deaths, and other noteworthy incidents involving both wealthy and poor individuals, offering a more dramatic perspective on the lives of ordinary people.
Directories, such as Lou's Directory, provide lists of residents and businesses, revealing individuals' occupations, addresses, and sometimes their social standing within the community.
The Corporation of London records, housed at the London Metropolitan Archives, include land tax records and apprenticeship records. Land tax records indicate where people lived and their relative wealth based on the amount of tax paid. Apprenticeship records document the training of young individuals in various trades, often revealing family connections and providing insights into the economic activities of the community.
Church of England parish records, often overlooked by researchers focusing on Jewish genealogy, document various aspects of community life, including poor relief, illegitimacy, and settlement records. These records could potentially contain references to individuals interacting with the church or converting to Christianity.
Illustrations and artifacts provide visual representations of individuals and their material culture. Portraits can reveal details about clothing, social status, and even intellectual interests. Religious objects like Torah finials connect families to specific synagogues and highlight their involvement in religious life.
Wills and probate records offer crucial genealogical data, but also reveal insights into family relationships, personal values, and financial affairs. The speaker highlights that lengthy wills can be particularly illuminating, as seen in the 12-page will of David Bueno de Mesquita.
Freemasonry records, accessible at Freemason Hall in London, document membership in lodges, revealing individuals' social networks and connections to prominent figures. These records often list names, ages, occupations, and addresses.
Records related to money, including bankruptcy and insolvency records, insurance records, and various tax records, offer insights into individuals' financial successes and failures. Tax records on luxury items like coaches, silver, and servants can be especially revealing about the lifestyles of wealthier families.
Court records, spanning various jurisdictions and levels of authority, document legal disputes, criminal cases, and even minor offences like swearing. These records can provide a wealth of information about individuals' interactions with the legal system, their personal lives, and their relationships with others.
The speaker encourages researchers to explore these diverse sources, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details can contribute to a richer understanding of their ancestors' lives. He concludes by highlighting the vast potential of these records and expresses optimism that ongoing digitization and indexing efforts will make them even more accessible in the future.
The presentation concludes by noting that the National Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives publish research guides that can assist researchers in navigating these collections. The FamilySearch Wiki, with its interconnected pages and links, is also recommended as a helpful resource for further exploration.