ABOUT THE SOCIETY

The Society was founded in 1889 to compile, edit and publish indexes, calendars and transcripts of historical records in public or private custody throughout Great Britain. For many years it has concentrated on producing indexes to English probate records to facilitate the study of English history and genealogy.

A three volume index to wills and administrations in Wiltshire is our latest probate publication and several other volumes are at an advanced stage of preparation. The Society is also engaged in a major programme of publishing transcripts of 17th century Hearth Tax returns of which the latest is Warwickshire.

The Society is a registered United Kingdom Charity (No. 248874) and its work (undertaken by volunteers) is funded by subscriptions both from individuals and institutions worldwide. While the aim is to publish a new volume annually, this is dependent on a number of factors including the large amount of time needed to transcribe documents and compile indexes and the availability of volunteers to carry out the work and bring a project to fruition. During the period 1992 to 2010 not every year saw a new publication, but 20 volumes were produced which subscribers received free of charge.

Wills at Salisbury 1464-1858 (volumes 122-123-123A) and the Westmorland Hearth Tax (volume 124) appeared in 2009. Wills at Lichfield 1650-1700 (volume 125) and Warwickshire Hearth Tax (volume 126) have been published in 2010. The Society expects to continue to publish an average of over one volume per year in the near future