[Taken from Isle of Man Times, Saturday, January 22, 1887]

1887 Report on Public Records

Introduction

This report gives a review of the state of Public Records in the mid 1880s - this was the period of the formation of the 'Antiquarians' and the Archaelogical commission all indicating a greater interest in the history of the Island. However it would be another century before a purpose built building was constructed though by then many of the older records had been transferred to the Manx Museum and later documents, from many more bodies than envisaged in this report, to find their home in the Public Records Office.

There is still no unified index to wills, nor to deeds; flattening of many records in Museum only started in the current century.

The replies from the various Record Offices are included solely for historical interest - the only method of copying was by clerks, no easy photograhy and electric lighting was very recent; It is somewhat difficult to translate the then costs to modern equivalent but approximately 1s would match £2.50.

Report

REPORT AS TO THE PRESENT CUSTODY, CONDITION, AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS PUBLIC RECORDS, SENESCHAL'S REGISTRY AND THE PAROCHIAL RECORDS OF THE ISLAND

TO THE TYNWALD COURT.

We, the Committee appointed on the 3rd November, 1885, to inquire and report as to the present custody, condition and arrangement of the various public records, including the Seneschal's registry and the parochial records of this Island , and the facilities existing for readily referring to the same, and as to the advisability of further centralizing the several registries, and generally for improving the system of registration and and amending the law relating thereto ,have the honour to report as follows:

In order to obtain the fullest information and to avail themselves of the experiences of record offices in the United Kingdom, the Committee prepared and issued a set. of questions on the various subjects referred to them, and obtained replies to their inquiries from the following repositories of public records :-
The Public Record Office, Fetter-Lane, London.
The General Register House Edinburgh.
The Public Record Office of Ireland, Dublin.
The General Register Office, Dublin.
The Probate Court Registiv, Somerset House.
The Enrolment Office. Royal Courts of Justice, London.
The Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Somerset House.
The Bankruptcy Registry. Lincoln's Inn.
The British Museum, M.S Department.
The Middlesex Registry of Deeds, London.
The Yorkshire Registry of Deeds, N. Riding, E. Riding, and W. Riding.
The District Probate Registry at York, Lincoln, Llandaff, Newcaste, Liverpool , and Oxford.
The County Court Registry at Derby, Cambridge and Glamorganshire.

Deemster Gill, the chairman of the Committee, when in London, visited the Record Office, Fetter-lane, the Probate Registry at Somerset House, and the M.S. Department of the British Museum, from each of which he obtained much valuable information.

In the appendix 1 to this report will be found the questions asked by the Committee, together with such of the replies the Committee consider of the greatest interest and value; also some notes made by Deemster Gill with respect to the registries visited by him. From these it will be observed that in making their inquiries the Committee met with the greatest kindness in every quarter where their inquiries were made, and in most cases much trouble was taken to afford the the Committee the fullest information.

As to the construction of registries, the precautions against fire, damp, dust, light, and other enemies of records and as to the best means of preserving documents, the information contained in the appendix will be found to be practically useful.

The Committee also obtained information as to the various parochial records in the Island, the most important portions of which will be found in a tabulated form in the appendix 2.

The whole of the documents containing information supplied to the Committee have been bound, and accompany this report.

EXISTING REGISTRIES

The several public registries of the Island may be shortly stated to be as follows :

1. The ROLLS OFFICE - under the charge of his Honour the Clerk of the Rolls, situate, as it has been from the earliest times, in Castle Rushen. In this office are recorded all the proceedings of the Superior Courts of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction, the proceedings of the Tynwald Court, including the original Acts of Tynwald ; the Commissions and Oaths of Public Officers ; together with other ancient records having reference to the Government and institutions of the Island : plans and valuationns made for the purposes of the Tithe Commutation and Lunatic Asylum Acts; proceedings at elections of members of the House of Keys : census returns ; specifications of patents since 1884 : and a variety of public documents, recorded either under requirements of Acts of Tynwald, or ordered to be recorded by the Governor or the Tynwald Court. The earliest, document recorded is dated 1417.

2. The REGISTRY OF DEEDS — established under The Registration of Deeds Act, 1847, situate in Douglas. and under the charge of the Registrar of Deeds.

In this registry are deposited all original and enrolled deeds, and memorials of wills and judgments affecting real property.

The deeds, with a few exceptions, include those formerly recorded in the Common Law and Chancery Courts, and which previously to 1848 were deposited in the Rolls Office, and those formerly ordered in the Manorial Court, which, previously to 1848. were in the custody of the Seneschal, as well as all deeds. &c., recorded since the Registration Act of 1847. The earliest deeds in this registry appear to have been recorded about 1680.

3. THE REGISTRY OF JOINT STOCK COMPANIES — established under the companies Act, 1865 in Douglas. The Registrar of Deeds is the Registrar under this Act. In this office are recorded memorandums and articles of association, contracts, special resolutions. &c, of companies, and various documents relating to companies.

Under the provisions of the Judicature Act, 1884, the whole of the records now under the charge of the Registrar of Deeds will, on the next vacancy in the office, be transferred to and form part of the records at the Rolls Office.

4. THE REGISTRY OF BIRTHS MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS — established under the Civil Registration Act, 1849; amended by the Civil Registration Acts. 1876 ; 1878. and 1884 ; the Vaccination Acts 1876 and 1878 ; and the Dissenters' Marriage Act, 1885 This office is under the charge of tne Registrar-General and contains Registers of Births and Marriages since 1849, and of deaths since 1878; copies of parochial registers since 1884 ; and returns of public vaccinations since 1876

5. THE REGISTRY OF THE MANORIAL COURTS — situate in Douglas in the same building as the Registry of Deeds, under the charge of H.M. Seneschal, who is directly responsible to the Department of Woods and Forests. In this Registry are deposited the Court Rolls and Proceedings of the Baron Courts, having reference to land, formerly belonging to the lords of the Isle, as lords of the manor, and those formerly belonging in like manner to the monastry of Rushen and to the baronies of Bangor and Sabal, and of St. Trinion. These records consist chiefly of the Liber Vastarum (30 vols) the Liber Assedationis (24 vols.), and the Liber Monaster. (9 vols.) in which are recorded the names of all tenants of these manors, with the rents and customs payable by each, and entries of each change of tenants. These records have reference to the whole of the lands in the Island except those in the Bishops barony and the barony of St. Bees, in the parish of Maughold, and those which are of freehold tenure, and are most useful in tracing titles. There are other ancient documents in this Registry, relating to revenue and other matters, which might with advantage be classified and catalogued. . The earliest record appears to belong to the beginning of the sixteenth century.

6. THE DIOCESAN REGISTRY — Douglas, under the charge of the Diocesan Registrar. In this Registry are deposited the whole of the ecclesiastical records, comprising a variety of documents relating to the several churches, parishes, glebe lands, &c., throughout the Island : and the appointment, institution, induction, &c. of the clergy, and other ecclesiastical natters. Also, the records of the Ecclesiastical Courts, including proceedings in matrimonial matters, and proceedings for the affiliation and maintenance of bastard children. All wills proved in the Episcopal and Archidiaconal Courts and grants of administration, together with proceedings relating to the estates of deceased

Also copies of the parochial registers from 1849 to 1884, deposited under the provisions of the Parochial Registers Act, 1849. Under the Civil Registration Act, 1884. copies of these registers ceased to be recorded in the Diocesan Registry, and are now recorded in the office of the Registrar-General.

The Ecclesiastical Civil Jurisdiction Transfer Act, 1884, by which the probate and matrimonial jurisdiction of the Ecclesiastical Courts was transferred to the High Court, provides that upon the next vacancy in the office of Diocesan Registrar all records in this Registry, in relation to the transferred matters, shall be transferred to the Rolls Office.

7. THE PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES, AND BURIALS, kept by the rectors and vicars of the several parishes, and by other clergy in some of the parishes. A list of the oldest of these registers, with their dates, &c, is given in the second appendix to this report.

CENTRALISATION OF RECORDS.

It will be gathered. from what has been stated, that the tendency of legislation has of late years been to centralise the Insular records, and that after the next vacancy in the offices of Registrar of Deeds and Diocesan Registrar (now held by the same person) the whole of the deeds, wills, and other records will be centalized iu the Rolls Office. with the exception of (1) the manorial records, (2) the records of the Registrar-General, (3) the ecclesiastical records, including the parochial registers. and (4) records of Bishops Barony, which will remain in the charge respectively of the Seneschal, the Registrar-General, the Diocesan-Registrar, the Clergy, and the Steward of the Bishop's Barony.

The Committee are of opinion that further centralisation should be effected, and that, although the last named records must of necessity remain under the charge and control of the officers last named, great public convenience would result from these records, or some of them, being in the same building as the Rolls Office. And they recommend tliat for the manorial records, the Diocesan records, and records of the Registrar-General, accommodation should be provided in the same building as the Rolls Office, but so that each Registry will be separate and distinct. As to the records of the Bishop's Barony. the Committee recommend that they should be deposited in the Diocesan Registry.

As to the parochial registers, the Committee recommend that all parochial registers earlier than 1800 should be deposited in the Roll's Office, that the registers since 1849 should also be deposited there, and that the copies of such registers now in the custody of the Diocesan Registrar and the Registrar-General in lieu thereof, be deposited with the Clergy, and that the registers from 1800 to 1848 should also be recorded, and copies thereof provided for the use of the Clergy.

DEFECTS OF PRESENT SYSTEM.

The Committee consider that the whole of the repositories of public records in the Island are deffective and unsatisfactory.

At the Rolls office, although the records are in separate rooms, some of them completely isolated from the main building, these rooms are not fireproof—the doors, the shelving, and other fittings are of wood, the rooms are heated by gas stoves, while the office proper, where the indexes, valuations, plans, and other valuable documents are kept, is heated by means of an open fire-place, and lighted after dark by gas.

At the Registry of Deeds, the whole of the deeds and wills, the diocesan records, and the records relating to public companies, are stored in rooms communicating with each other by open door-ways, situate below the Record Office, and under the level of the street, the windows opening into "areas" adjoining the street : these rooms are also lighted by gas, and are heated by hot-water pipes. They are certainly not sufficiently safe from fire, and would be liable to be inundated in case of the bursting of a hot-water pipe inside, or a water main in the street, or by water used to extinguish fire in the upper part of the building, or in the adjoining house.

The manorial records are kept in a small room on the ground floor of the Court-house building in Douglas. The room is not fire-proof. The records are stored in a wooden press, and the room is heated by an open fire-nlace.

Part of the records of the Registrar-General are (as a temporary arrangement) kept at the Registry of Deeds, the present Registrar of Deeds having formerly been Registrar-General. The remainder are kept at the private office of the Registrar-General. The Committee are therefore, of opinion that no time should be lost in erecting a new Record Office, with accommodation for alll the records which the Committee have recommended should be centralized.

NEW RECORD BUILDING.

The Committee recommend that the new Record Building should meet the following requirements :—

The building should be completely separated from all other buildings, by a space of at least 15 feet.
The building should be of fireproof construction throughout, so that if a fire should occur in one room, it could not penetrate into the next.
The rooms for storing records should be as nearly as possible 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 10 feet high, separated from each other by brick or stone partitions, the doors, casements, and shutters being of iron.
The fittings should be of galvanized iron.
The heating should be by means of hot-water pipes, along the centre of the room, and placed in a channel below the level of the floor. No artificial light should be used in the record rooms, except electric or other such light.
The rooms should be well ventilated.

The Commttee are of opinion that the Record Office should be in a central position, in the town of Douglas, as already decided by the Court.

ARRANGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF RECORDS.

The modern mode of preserving records in the Rolls Office, by binding them in books, is, on the whole, satisfactory; and the means adopted by the present Registiar of Deeds of keeping deeds and wills in metal boxes, each box containing the documents recorded during a month, is excellent. This system of boxes, however, commences only with respect to deeds in 1866, and with respect to some of the wills in 1866, and to others in 1874 ; and there are, both at the Rolls Office and at the Registry of Deeds and Wills, a large number of valuable documents which are kept in bundles, and without proper protection. There are also, at the Rolls Office, a number of ancient documents which the Committee consider are of great interest aad value, but which are little known owing to a want of classification and indexing. As to these, the Committee recommend that they should be arranged, classified, and indexed, and that steps should be taken for their being better preserved.

The Committee would point out that the proceedings of the superior Courts are indexed only as far back as 1800, with the exception of the inquest files, which are indexed from the earliest date.

The exchequer books, in particular, contain a mass of most interesting historical matter , the indexing of which would be most valuable. The Committee are aware that private partial, indexes exist, ard they recommend that, if possible, copies of these should be obtained for public use.

At the Registry of Deeds, all deeds prior to 1866 are kept in bundles, each document being folded in four, and they are not protected against dust or insects. The Committee recommend that all these should be opened out, flattened, and placed in carton or metal boxes, properly ventilated. A number of old deeds and documents are contained, without any attempt at arrangement, in a large chest. These ought to be arranged, placed in boxes, and, if necessary, indexed. The Committee are of opinion that a careful examination of the ecclesiastical records, followed by re-arrangement and indexing, would bring to light much that is interesting in the past history of the Island. In any case, steps should be taken for the proper preservation of the older documents.

DUPLICATE RECORDS.

The Committee have considered the question of recording documents in duplicate — having, in fact, two distinct sets of records, one original, the other copied — and they are strongly of opinion that, as regards deeds and wills, this system should, for the future, be adopted. Experience in England, and elsewhere, has taught that public documents, which are open to the inspection of any person paying a small fee, may be tampered with, or, at any rate, injured by frequent handling. To ensure perfect safety, all original deeds and wills should at once, on their being recorded, be copied. In case of an ordinary search, the copy only should be referred to, and the original should not be referred to except when absolutely necessary for the purpose of examining the handwriting or the like, and then only under the supervision of an official.

The originals and these copies should be kept in separate strong rooms, so as to minimise the risk of total destruction in case of fire, &c.

The Committee suggest that the copies of deeds and wills, as well as all enrolled deeds, should be arranged and kept as the modern deeds and wills are arranged, namely, as separate documents placed in boxes in order of registration. The Committee consider that the copying of deeds, &c, into books is objectionable.

As to the copying of deeds and wills, already recorded, the Committee consider that, subject to the question of cost, it would be desirable to extend the system backwards, as far as circumstances may permit.

With respect to wills, this double system, as now recommended, has been in use in England for upwards of four centuries.

INDEXES OF DEEDS AND WILLS.

The indexes of deeds are in a very unsatisfactory condition — not from any fault or neglect on the part of the officers in charge of them, but from ordinary wear and tear, from the books becoming filled and from other unavoidable causes. It is urgently necessary that no time should be lost in improving them. There being three distinct sets of deeds, there are as many sets of indexes. The Committee recommend that, these should at once he remodelled and consolidated ; so that one index should refer to all deeds recorded. They further recommend that, this done, the new index should be printed, and that in future the indexes should be periodically consolidated and printed.

Great convenience, too, would result from a system of double indexing, having alphabetica1 indexes of grantees as well as of grantors.

An excellent index of wills was, some years ago, made by Mr R. Brown, but the book containing it, having been filled, a second volume has been commenced. The Committee recommend the printing of this index also.

The Committee would point out that for the carrying out of several of their recommendations, legislation will be necessary.

They are of opinion, also, that the present law regulating the registration of deeds and of memorials of wills and judgments might, with great advantage, be consolidated and amended.

J. FRED. GILL, Chairman,
J. GELL,
J. T. CLUCAS,
J. A MYLREA,
R. S. STEPHEN, Secretary. 8th January 1887

APPENDIX I.

RESULT OF INQUIRIES MADE BY THE COMMITTEE AT THE UNDER NAMED RECORD OFFICES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

QUESTIONS.

1. Name of Registry aad general description of records therein.
2. What provision is made for protection from fire ?
3. Is the whole building, or each room separately fire proof or, if not, which part of it?
4. How is it rendered fireproof ?
5. in the event of fire, what provision is made for its extinction ?
6. What regulations, if any, are in force, for insuring greater safety from fire arising from the use of heating and lighting apparatus ?
7. by what means are the premises (b) lighted, and (b) heated?
8. Is any provision made for guarding the premises at night, by a caretaker or otherwise?
9. Are the original documents recorded ?
10. If not, are full copies, or abstracts, or memorials ?
11. How are they kept, (a) in bound books, (b)in metal or other boxes, (c) in bundles, or how otherwise ?
12. How are they arranged, so as to afford easy access and reference I (The shape and size at the rooms or other receptacles.
13. Have the public a right to inspect the original documents recorded, or copies only, and under what restriction or regulation.
14. Are these restrictions and regulations unversally and strictly applied, or are they relaxed in case of solicitors and others ?
15.Under what supervision are recorded documents allowed to be inspected? Are they inspect singly, or how otherwise ?
16. During what hours are the registries open ?
17. What fees are p;iid for recording or enrolling documents, copies, extracts, and imspection of documents? Are these fees paid by money or stamps?
18. What holidays are observed ?
19. Suggestions as to provision to he made for the preservation of records in new building. if one be provided;

ANSWERS.

PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE (Fetter-lane, London).

(Notes by Deemster Gill)
1 Public records, proceedings of courts of justice, &c.

2-8. The building is of fire-proof construction throughout :so that if a fire were to occur in one room, it could not renetrate to the next The walls are of brick, faced outside with stone. Each room in which records are kept is fitted with cast-iron presses, having slate shelves ; there is no woodwork, except a fall table. The division walls between each room are of brick. The ceilings are arched in brickwork, with iron girders. The staircases are iron ; the floors iron girders and brick arches, with hollow fire-clay tile paving, on concrete filling. Main Staircase is of stone The casements and skylights are of iron. There are wrought-iron doors to the rooms. The building is entirely detached, except communication by means of a bridge from Rolls House. The roof—cast-iron girders wood principals, struts, purlins, and bounding-and covered with slate. The girders carry brick arches, forming the ceiling of the uppermost rooms. The supply of water within the building is by means of firecocks on the several floors, fixed to pipes charged from tanks in central tower. The external supply is from main. The key of external fire-cocks together with the hose &c. is kept in the hall. All the fire-extinguishing apparatus is under the charge of the clerk of the works of the Office of Works, and is examined, and the men practised in its use, under his direction. The furnaces, boilers, &c for hotwater apparatus are situate in the basement. and are considered quite safe. The gas burners are protected by wire guards. The entire responsibility for protection against fire is commited to the Metropolitan Police(Division E), who are on duty In the building day and night Regulations exist to ensure that every policeman makes himself perfectly acquiainted with every part of the building, and especially every part of fire-extinguishing apparatus. Fire-hose practice once a week. The apparatus is periodically tested. A room is provided for the police. A caretaker resides on ihe premises part of -whose duty is to clean and keep in working order the fire-extinguishing apparatus.

The introduction or use of lighted candles forbidden When artificial light is necessary, a lantern, with locked door is used. Every part of the building is visited by the deputy-keeper at least twice a year, to ascertain whether any further precautions are required.

11 & 12 As a rule, rolls &c, are merely laid on slate shelves without protection from dust. Some small documents are fastened in skeleton books. Great stress is laid on necessity for ventilation. The size of the record rooms is, as a rule, 25 feet by 20feet. The shelves are of slate, supported on iron framework. Some of the rooms are divided by a second floor, consisting of iron grating.

13 The pubic are allowed to search all documents, except those upon which restrictions are placed. Each searcher is required to write his name and address in a book kept for the purpose in the hall. (See regulations for the search room }

16. Hours : 10 to 4 o'clock, except Saturday ; then from 10 to 2 o'clock.

GENERAL REGISTRY HOUSE, EDINBURGH.

1. The public records of Scotland.

2-4. The building is fire proof throughout, ths rooms and passages being vaulted.

5 The usual apparatus supplied hy H.M's. Board of Works, to public offices.

6. Personal inspection and cartful selection of the person in charge of the apparatus are considered more essential than detailed regulations.

7. Gas, and hot-water pipes. A night policeman.

9-11, In some cases.

12. On open shelves, or in closed presses, according to the nature of the record.

13-14 Yes, on payment of fees.

15. Under the eye of an officer of the department.

16. Ten a.m., to four p.m.

17. Various ; fixed by different Acts of Parliament, or by the Treasury under statuary authority.

18. The bank holidays.

19. It may seem too obvious a mark, but to give the building time to dry thoroughly before placing the records in it seems the only suggestion specially applicable to a new building.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF IRELAND (Dublin)

1. All legal records and records generally of a public nature of over 20 years from the making thereof; all records of courts, comissions, and public offices which have ceased to exist; also, registers of the late Established Church.

2. The records are preserved in an isolated fireproof huilding; the fittings of which, so far as possible, are fireproof, being composed chiefly of iron and slate.

3. The whole building in which the records are preserved.

4. By being composed of fireproof materials, (See reply No. 2.)

5. High-pressure main laid on in the record building.

6. No artificial light, on any pretence, is permitted to be used in the record building.

7. (a) Glass roof over central corridor, windows at side. (b) Hot water heated by furnaces from outside, the fires and flues of which are in a detached building.

8. Caretaker always on the premises.

9. Documents are neither enrolled nor recorded in this department; it being an office for preservation of original documents, and of the rolls and records made of them in other departments.

11 Most of the modern legal records are preserved in bound volumes: those of earlier dates, which do not consist of parchment rolls were brought in here in bundles ; the greater number at them have been opened, the individual papers flattened to preserve them from wear at the folds, and then made up in parcels of folio form, carefully covered in brown paper; the more valuable are enclosed in portfolios (cloth or half leather) or in carton boxes. The original wills have each been placed in a paper envelope, and collected in zinc boxes.

12. On shelves, each volume, box, portfolio, or parcel having a label with its destination thereon, showing its bay (room), shelf, and number, for reference from books kept in the public search office.

13 The public can inspect any public records, whether original or otherwise, during office hours, in presence of an officer, and may take any notes or copies therefrom in pencil.

15. As a rule records are only permitted to be inspected singly, under the supervision of an officer of the department. 16. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

17. Copies, whether full or partial, of documents older than 1760, 6d per folio of 72 words ; previous to 1760, 1s per folio ; an inspection fee of 1s for each book or document, but no charge for inspecting indexes. Literary inquirers, on satisfactorily proving to the deputy-keeper that their searches are for purely literary purposes, are permitted to search, without fee, for a period of one month. Fees paid in money.

18 Same as in London Record Office.

19. I subjoin description of the record building, and a few suggestions based on my own experience. The record building, or treasury of the Public Record Office of Ireland, is separated from the offices by an open area, 10 feet wide, across which is thrown a covered bridge, closed by iron doors at each end. Internally it consists of a basement story and or the principal hall, rising to the full height of the building from the ground floor. The basement is vaulted, and divided by partitions into a central corridor, with ten lateral bays on each side. Each of these bays forms an arched apartment 29 feet long, by 12 feet wide, and 9 feet high. The hall on upper part of the record treasury or building constitutes a single apartment, 140feet long, 80feet wide, and 50 feet high. It is divided by iron lattice work partitions into ten vertical sections of 14 feet in width by 30 feet in depth on each side. Each of these sections consist of six storeys, 8 feet high, lighted by what may be regarded as a single window of the full height of the building. An open area or nave, 20 feet in width, and lighted by a glass roof, gives access to the bays on each side by a central stair communicating with the several floors by five tiers of galleries. Each bay is closed at the end towards the gallery by an iron grating, with grated doors, through which light is also admitted from the central area.

The principal enemies with which records have to contend are (1) fire, (2) damp, whether arising from external causes or from the alteration of the atmosphere (3) dust, and (4) light. As regards fire, a record room built on the lines of our basement story wonld be nearly perfect, as, when fitted with an iron door, if a fire took place in one of these bays the damage either from fire or water could be confined to itself, and the area wherein the fire could range being small, it would be easily under control. External damp is eliminated by giving air and having thick brick walls; and damp caused by the alterations of the atmosphere by equalizing the temperature within your buildings, and depositing all parcels of records in carton boxes, or covering them with portfolios or brown paper, which will absorb all excess of damp, and keep it from the records themselves. This process of covering parcels of records will preserve them also from dust aud light. Our experience is in favour of simple, adjustable shelving made, say, of galvanized iron, or perhaps wood, rendered non-inflammable by one of the new processes. Elaborate fittings are expensive, have a tendency to go out of order, and to cause delay in removing and replacing records, a matter of some importance. I am inclined to think that dust and light are the two greatest enemies of the record-keeper, and always present. In conclusion I would point out to you that no written suggestions are likely to be of the same practical use to you as a personal inspection of various record repositories. All record-keepers, like other men, are apt to be biassed in favour of their own system ; but an intelligent inquirer, going from our repository to another, should be able to ascertain for himself the peculiar merits and defects of each, and their especial relation to the requiremens of your Island.

J. J. DIGGES LA TOUCHE, Deputy Keeper.

PRINCIPAL REGISTRY (PROBATE COURT), Somerset House.

(Notes by Deemster Gill, 30th September, 1886.)

1. Original and copies of all wills formerly recorded in Ecclesiastical Courts, &c, removed to Doctor's Commons, on passing of 21 and 22 Vic, c. 77,1857 (see sec. 89). Originals of all wills proved by the Principal Registry or in Court since 1857. Copies of all wills throughout England since 1857. Court proceedings, bonds, &c.

2-7 Original wills are kept in large vaulted room with iron door, and iron shutters on windows, stone floor, iron shutters supported by iron frames, iron staircases. no gas is used, and as a rule daylight only. In special cases a lamp is used, but this is enclosed in a lantern the door of which is locked. The rooms in which copies of wills, original bonds &c are kept are not fireproof, and gas is used in them. (At Doctor's Commons no artificial light was allowed )

8. See Registry of Joint Stock Companies (p. 18 post)

9. Original wills are kept in a room by themselves, apart from copies.

10. From 1393 to 1484 copies only of wills recorded originals retained by executor. Since 1484 the orignal and also a copy of every will recorded. Copies are made in huge books of vellum, containing 50 quires; original shape, size, and binding of book retained to present date. Down to 1828, the books for each year are distinguished by the name of some celebrated person whose will was proved in that year, e.g., Somerset, Pitt, Erskine, Nelson, Stowell, &c, no date being given. In the indexes, the books are referred to by their names. (Page so-and-so Erskine.)

11. The original wills are kept in bundles each will folded in three, and each bundle enclosed in an envelope or case of vellum, endorsed with the year. Two exceptions—(1) where will too large for bundle, in which case it is kept in separate box, a reference being placed in its place in the bundle; (2) Shakespere's will, written on three sheets, each framed and glazed. The bundles are placed on iron shelves, supported by iron frames. The passages between sets of shelves are 2ft 6in. wide. This space is found too small, 3ft. or 3ft. 6in is suggested. The books containing copies are kept on shelves arranged against walls. Reference is made by means of calendars, containing name, date of will, date of probate, amount of estate. These are printed, a copy being sent to each of the 40 District Registrars, the Office of H.M. prerogative in Dublin and the office of Commissary of Midlothian, Edinburgh. (Probate Act, sec. 68.) Copies of all wills proved at the district registries are sent monthly to the principal registry (on 1st Thursday in each month), originals being retained at the district registry. (Probate Act, sees. 51. 52).

13. Public may inspect wills on payment of 1s. Ordinarily the copy is inspected, but original may be seen on payment of additional 1s. In either case the inspection takes place at a long table, at each end of which a clerk sits and overlooks persons examining. Only extracts allowed are name, date, amount of estate, and formal information. If more be required, copy must be ordered. By sec. 69 of Probate Act, copies of the whole or any part of a will maybe obtained, or an official certificate of the grant of probate, &c. Under sec. 91 of the Probate Act. the wills of living persons may be deposited for safe custody on payment of fees (about 26s), and "under such regulations as the judge shall direct." One of the existing regulations requires that will once deposited must remain in registry until after testator's death (see Mr Foster's book. p. 47).

ENROLMENT OFFICE (Royal Courts of Justice, London).

1. Deeds enrolled under 9 George II., c. 36, and amending Acts. Disentailing deeds, memorial of names under certain Acts of Parliament, recognisances, deeds, and other documents enrolled for safe custody.

2-8 Referred to superintendent of the buildings Royal Courts of Justice (Mr J. Huntler; room 466).

9. No original documents recorded.

10. Full copies are made of all documents brought for enrollment.

11. On skins of parchment 27.5£inches long and 11 inches wide, ruled with 90 lines. These skins are sewn together end to end until they form a continuous roll, averaging 30 yards, which is called a part.

12. The rolls or parts are ranged on shelves in presses round the rooms. The parts are numbered 1, 2, 3 . . . for each year. An index for each year of each deed is made in the name ot the party or parties to the deed of the first part opposite each entry in the index is placed the No of the rod in which the enrolment will be found

13. The public has the right to search the indexes and to inspect the enrolments (i.e , the copies of the original document) upon fill ng up a seach praecipe, impressed with a 2s0d judicatur fee stamp. This praecipe is afterwards cancelled by perforation.

14 No relaxation or restriction of regulations is in any case allowed.

15 The enrolments are inspected in the presence of one of the clerks in the office. The roll is unrolled by the clerk until the document required is found.

16 from 10 to 4 o'clock, except on Saturdays and during vacations, when the office hours are 10 to 2.

17 The fee for enrolment is at the rate of 1s per folio of 72 words If the document brought for enrolment has a plan attached to it the draughtman's charge for copying it is added. Copies or extracts are made at a charge of 6d per folio.

18. Sundays, Good Friday. Easter Eve Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and the next following day.

BRITISH. MUSEUM (MSS. Department).

(Notes by Deemster Gill as to preservation of old documents).

Valuable old documents are laid sinply between paper, and loose, the whole being placed in cardboard box, having two small holes on each side for ventilation. These boxes are placed on shelves in locked presses, each door of which has a ventilator in the centre. Other MSs. are bound in books. Book being in form of a scrap book, with leaflets of velum; the MS. is pasted (very slightly) to the vellum. Best material for binding is Morocco or roan, not vellum. Soft leather (like Rolls Office books) recommended. Books having clasps or projections on the back are often put into cardboard case so as to protect neighbouring book. This also gives additional protection against dust. Worst enemy of paper is damp; next, dry rot; the latter is produced by want of ventilation. Temperature, if kept even, does not affect paper, etc. The fumes of burnt fires are most injurious to old documents, especially when of vellum. No gas is used in this department. Before the electric light was introduced, no artificial light was used. For flattening old papers water ought not to be used on any account. It fades the ink, and rots the paper. Sizing old papers helps to preserve them, but the process ought to be applied with great care. Books of MSS. are kept on shelves, in glazed presses, having ventilators at back ; the doors are opened weekly.

MIDDLESEX REGISTRY OF DEEDS.

1 Contains memorials or abstracts of all deeds, &c., affecting lands, &c., in Middlesex from 1709 to the present time ; and, of course, the income takes relating to the same.

2. None, only for extinction of fire if it should break out.

3. 4. 5. No.

6. Careful nightly examination of the premises after the staff have left, and prohibition of any resident caretaker.

7. Gas, and open coal fires.

8. No.

9-10. We have both the original memorials and copies of them.

11. The copies and indexes are in bound books. The originals are partly in wooden or tin boxes, and partly in bundles on shelves.

12. We are very short of space, and consequently records are somewhat crowded ; but any memorial can be found at any time in five minutes.

13-14. Both, in office hours, and subject to the usual restrictions. Universally applied.

15. Under the personal supervision of one of the staff. Generally singly, but this is a mere matter of convenience.

16. 10 to 3 for searching; 11 to 2 for registration. The last hours are restricted, in order that all memorials brought in may be indexed the same day.

17. The fees for registration vary according to length ; 7s, on an average, would be about the rate. For searching, the charge is 1s or 2s 6d for each search, according to the index referred to.

18. The usual public holidays, and, in addition, from Christinas Day to the end of the year, when we close in order to bind our indexes for the year just expiring.

YORKSHIRE REGISTRY OF DEEDS (North Riding).

1. Deeds, incumbrances, conveyances, wills, and other instruments relating to real property. (Regulated by 47 and 4_ Vic, c 54.)

2. None.

3. The room where the registers and inexes are kept is fireproof.

4. This room is built of brick, arched roof and stone floor. It is also further protected by a fireproof door.

5 6. None.

7. By gas By fires, protected by wire guards.

8. No. The Register House, which is occupied, adjoins the offices.

9. Only in the case of affidavits of discharge, intestacy and vesting, of caveats, and of memoranda of lieu and deposit (at the option of clients).

10. Other documents are recorded by memorials, or by full copies, with statement; prefixed, prepared and sent to the office for binding, i.e., enrolment.

11, In bound books. In boxes until bound up.

12. The register in volumes containing 500 instruments, the heading of each instrument setting forth the number on 1 page of the volume and its own number. Each volume is labelled outside with its number and its year in consectutive order. The index sheets in boxes lexicographically arranged, which in due course are bound up. The room is square, with closets, lined with sheet iron, arranged round the walls, in which the registers and bound indexes are kept in annual order.

13. By the payment of a search fee the public have access to the registers aud indexes without any restriction, except in the case of the record of official searches.

14. The latter exception is strictly observed in all cases.

15. Under the supervision of the searching clerks.

16. From 9 to 5 daily, except Saturday, and then from 9 to 1. Open to the public from 10 to 4 except Saturday, 10 to 1.

17. Scale of fees attached.

18. Christmas Day and the next following working day, Good Friday, Easter Eve and the Monday in Easter weeK, Monday and Tuesday in Easter week, the first Monday in August, all days appointed by proclamation to be observed as days of public humiliation, fast, or thanksgiving.

YORKSHIRE REGISTRY OF DEEDS (West Riding, Beverly.)

2. In the old portion no provision was made. In the new it is fire-proof.

3. The room for the deposit of the original documents is fire-proof, the rest is not.

4. Built of stone and brick, and the interior is fitted up with iron.

5. Fire plug in front of building, and hose, and ready for fixing on the premises.

7. Gas and fire.

9. Original documents not recorded. A certificate of registration is endorsed and signed by the Registrar.

11. From 1704., September, to 1884, December 31, all documents registered were copied into bound books, signed by two Justices of the Peace, duly lettered or numbered, and the originals made into bundles or enclosed in portfolios, and deposited in the fire proof room.

12. The originals are now in a strong or fire-proof room 21 yards by 12 yards, detached from other buildings. The internal divisions in iron 24 inches deep, 22 inches wide, and 15 inches high.

13. The public have a right to inspect the copies without restriction, and to see the originals, which are not bound, by making special request, and returning them to the clerk in charge. (See Role 6.)

19. I would suggest that you get some information from the Scotch Register Office at Edinburgh, the Irish office at Dublin, or the British Museum, Loudon. This is not a model building.

THE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION (in Bankruptcy), Lincoln's Inn.

1. (a) Books containing entries of petitions filed by or against debtors, dates of receiving orders, adjudication of bankruptcy, orders of discharge, and such like matters. (b) The proceedings in each bankruptcy, consisting of original petitions, affidavits, orders of Court, &c. (c) The proceedings of the Old Insolvent Debtors Court which was abolished, consisting of petitions and other documents relating to each insolvency.

2-6. No special provision ; none of the buildings fireproof. 7. Gas, open fires, and hot-water pipes.

8. A house-keeper, porter, &c., live on the premises. .

9. All documents filed are original, but they are not all recorded in any book, only, the particulars required by forms 125 and 126 of the general rules, and orders made under the Bankruptcy Act, 188% and dated 1st December, 1883, and as required by previous Bankruptcy Acts.

11. Bound books containing entries of particulars as in answer 9, and the proceedings are kept, some in stiff cases, others in bundles, all kept in cupboards or on shelves.

12. They are all numbered, and books are kept with the distinctive numbers. The proceedings are kept in cupboards and on shelves, ranged round and across the different rooms. There are 15 rooms on the basement of the house, average size about 20 feet by 12 feet. There are probably between 300,000 and 400,000 sets of proceedings. The other rooms in the building are used for the public Courts and offices in bankruptcy.

13. Only the creditors, the trustee, or the bankrupt have the right to inspect the proceedings iu each bankruptcy. Any other person wishing to inspect must apply to the Court. The public have, on payment of a search fee of 1s., the right to search the books containing entries, aa set out in answer 9.

15. Those entitled to inspect any set of proceedings do so in the presence in the clerks, who have charge of the proceedings. The different sets of proceedings of pending bankruptcies are constantly required to be in Court and in the various offices.

16. 10 to 4, and on Saturday 10 to 2. During vacation 10 to 2.

17. The order dated 15th June, 1885, as to fees and percentages under the Bankruptcy Act, 1883, provides for the payment of charges in respect of proceedings under the Act, and these vary from 1s, to £5, and in certain cases an ad valorum duty ; but the fees are to provide a fund for payment of the expense of administering the Bankruptcy Act. 1s. stamp for ordinary seaich, and 4d. a folio for office copies, all fees are paid in stamps.

18. Christmas Day, Good Friday, &c &c.

19. It is contemplated to erect a new building for the Bankruptcy Courts and offices, and no doubt better provision would be made for the keeping and preservation of the proceedings. The present arrangements are not only most inconvenient, but very deficient for ths preservation of the records.

REGISTRY OF JOINT STOCK COMPANIES (Somerset House).

1. Memorandum and Articles of Association, original contracts, annual returns, and various documents relating to public companies.

2. The building—Somerset House—is provided with fire buckets, hose, and hydrants. A detachment of the metropolitan police, under an inspector, has charge of it, and is in attendance night and day.

3. Neither the whole building nor any room in it is fireproof

7. chiefly by gas; candles are used occasionally. Coal fires and hot water.

8. It is guarded by the police (see 2)

9. Each Company has a distinctive number, and a file or files appropriated to its use. The files and their contents are recorded in the indexes

10. The short title of the document is all that is recorded beyond the name of the Company

11. In demy-size portfolios. They are laced in such a way that they may be read bookwise; and fresh documents are added from time to time by untying the laces, without disturbing the documents already laced in.

12. In order of receipt. Each document is arithmetically numbered, and placed upon the file of the company to which it relates. Each Company having also a distinctive number. The files are then placed in presses ranged round the rooms, the presses being fitted with shelves and divisions of almost uniform size.

13. The public may inspect the original documents on payment of 1s. for each company inspected This is done in the search-room, under the eye of the attendants and a clerk. Extracts may be taken in pencil to a limited extent; but a prolonged search involves the payment of further search fees. About half an hour is considered fair allowance of time for a search

14. Members of the Press are allowedto search all the new companies of the week for a minimum fee of 5s having first obtained the authority of the Board of Trade.

15. Except as stated in 14, each applicant is supplied with the papers of one company at a time.

16. From 10 till 4 and 10 till 2 on Saturday.

17. 5s. for recording documents generally with ad valorum fees proportionate to the proposed capital in the case of a new company. 1s. for searches and 4d per folio (of 72 words) for copies or extracts. The fees are paid by stamps, to be obtained in the building.

18. The usual bank holidays—the Queen's birthday Whit Tuesday, Good Friday, and Christmas day.

APPENDIX II.

PARISH REGISTERS OF BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES, AND BURIALS IN THE SEVERAL PARISHES.

(Registers kept in Modern Churches and Chapels, commcncing after 1800, are not included.)

[note split into separate tables]

Patrick

German

Michael

Ballaugh

Andreas

Jurby

Bride

Lezayre

Maughold

Lonan

Concan

Braddan

Marown

Santon

Malew

Arbory

Rushen

Douglas St Mathew's

Ramsey St Paul's

Douglas St George's

Malew St Mark's