Online data can drop you in at the deep end. Not so many years ago before Internet databases genealogists came to the more difficult resources later, at a logical point in time when research experience and a knotty problem signaled readiness. There is no point in debating whether one way is better; however, it is worth pointing out that the need for sound research habits has not changed.
Records of the Court of Chancery are among the difficult records. They contain a mix of exciting information and mind numbing verbiage, and they can challenge your research skills. Tools such as Peter Coldham's Inheritance Disputes Index are, therefore, most welcome. Ready access has you swimming right away (to continue the metaphor), but the searching is less onerous.
Add to Your Knowledge
There is good background information within British Origins about the records from which the Inheritance Disputes Index has been derived. This includes explanations of who used the court, details in the entries and records, and related records you can explore. Many of you will want to take this further and learn more about Chancery records in a broader context.
To get started on background I suggest you read the clearly stated, sensible advice found in Family Feuds, An Introduction to Chancery Proceedings by Susan Moore (FFHS Publications, 2003). Also visit the National Archives website and read their free guides to Chancery records.
A Few Essentials
Equity means what the word suggests, finding a fair solution. The Court of Chancery was one of several courts that had their beginnings before 1500, responding to the need for common folk to seek redress for perceived injustices. Of first significance to genealogists is the fact that, from the beginning, everything is in English. Secondly, equity courts were unlike other courts; they were not based on common law and were not courts where action was initiated by the Crown. People did not have to appear in person, but sent depositions or statements relevant to a case. Town depositions were made in London and country depositions elsewhere.
Over the centuries masses of documents were collected and stored in such a way that finding all the material for one case can be challenging. Cases are given titles according to one principal name among the plaintiffs and another among the defendants. Where there were several names, the one referenced could change at different stages; in addition, the documents frequently shifted from one division of records to another. Finding aids are essential.
Online Signposts
The Inheritance Disputes Index and two online resources at the National Archives are opening up chancery records. It is to everyone's advantage that these indexes do not overlap.
Within British Origins can be found Peter Coldham's index to over 26,000 chancery cases. These are inheritance cases, frequently family disputes about the disposition of money and property. The index is searched by name, with the option of adding additional search fields such as place and date range. Results are displayed in a table and include: name of the deceased person (the testator), the location (county and usually place as well), case description expressed as one name for each of the opposing sides in the case (e.g., Smith vs Jones), date the proceedings began, and the TNA reference.
At the National Archives web site the records in class C6 are being indexed in the Equity Pleadings Database. In addition, in the online catalogue, all or part of 5 sections within C class can be checked, usually by the name of a defendant, a plaintiff and a county. These finding aids do not include the name of the testator, which is not always the same as one of the parties to the dispute.
As yet computer resources do not replace earlier finding aids, but they definitely help you get excited about the prospects of research, order your first documents, and plan further forays into the records. As your interest and experience grow you will look for other resources, the calendars at the National Archives, the Bernau Index at the Society of Genealogists are two examples.
London Only?
I live in Canada and many of you reading this are also outside the UK or certainly outside of London. All of us are interested in knowing about ways to explore Chancery records beyond the online resources. Some class C records are among microfilmed records held by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. All or most of these can circulate to family history centres; so, be sure to check the facilities near you. In addition, visit any nearby public reference libraries or university libraries or search their online catalogues as they may hold copies of some finding aids at Kew. I know, for example, that dozens of the publications of the List and Index Society, which include reprints of Kew finding aids, are close to me here on Vancouver Island at the University of Victoria.
Starting here everyone can dive in and explore. Who knows where the work will take you and your family history.