The library of our late President, Duncan Harrington, FSA
David Wright and John Owen have now spent a day a week for seven months sorting the tremendous library and its associated charts and papers for ultimate disposal to appropriate recipients. The KFHS archivist, Ann Ashdown, has already taken charge of a great deal of material for the ultimate benefit of members and more will be following before too long. One of Duncan's great achievements was a remarkable sequence of genealogical card indexes, generally remaining unpublished and, since his death, not searchable. Most of these will go to the society, but one other needs some comment.
The Diocese of Canterbury's church records remain as one of the best amongst all English counties. These include the depositions, that is, long series of answers given by people appearing in court, c.1550-1650, whether as accused or witness, where they supply name, parish, age, previous parishes of residence and for how long, and birth place. This material is almost unique in the information supplied and will clearly greatly enhance (and perhaps overturn?) many pedigrees. It is taken principally from classes PRC38-39 and X/Y/Z at the Maidstone archives and Exchequer Depositions class E134 at TNA, Kew.
One entry almost at random exemplifies the contents:
February 1584/5: Bernard Anderson of Bobbing parish where he has lived for 1 year and 6 months and before that in Borden parish for 3 years. Aged about 24 years and originating in the parish of Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
The index needs a great deal of checking and sorting, especially as to its precise contents. Duncan himself noted that not all entries give as much detail as we might like, and at the time of writing the majority of the slips give just name, parish and precise archive folio reference, but no more. Those written out in full perhaps represent original enquiries for such information, but are in a tiny minority, except for a large group covering Wealden parishes written out by the late Jules de Launay.
The slips are written in several different hands. Is there anybody reading this who was one of Duncan's helpers and could contact me and shed more light on this highly important index?
Throughout this period David Wright and John Owen (and, by extension, the general membership of the KFHS), offer their sincere gratitude to Duncan's widow Rhona for her generosity in allowing them such a free hand in arranging and disposing of the various collections towards their most advantageous final destinations.
David Wright Member: 00237 Email: davideastkent@gmail.com
Published: June 2025 in Kent Family History Society Journal | Download PDF