The Isle of Man
Source Documents
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The Manx records that are available for public inspection are very extensive. To make full use of the available resources it is essential to have some knowledge of the administrative and legal system of the Island, both civil and ecclesiastical. The ecclesiastical records are relatively straightforward but the land system is quite complex and over the centuries has caused considerable dissention in the Island. The following brief description is intended as a starting point.
The method of recording the transfer of property, being entered on the rolls, has been much the same since at least 1511. It took place at the sheading courts, later at the baron or manorial courts, held twice a year in each sheading. The names of the sellers or deceased owners were found in the Liber Assedationis, which established the current ownership. Next the names of the purchasers or heirs were entered in the Liber Vastarum together with details of how they obtained the property (purchase, deed, inheritance, etc.). Then from the Liber Vastarum a new Liber Assedationis was made, recording for future reference the names(s) of the new owner(s). The whole process should ideally take place at the one session of the court but sometimes several years could pass before the transfer was recorded or even between the two entries.
The compulsory registration of Births was not introduced until 1878, although the Civil Registration Act of 1849 had made provision for the optional registration for those who objected to the services of the Church of England.
Prior to 1878 one has to rely on the entries of baptism in the individual church records. These records were the responsibility of the individual priest and, unfortunately, it was a responsibility that was not always carried out faithfully.
The Registration Act of 1849 provided for a standard form to be used for the registration of births and for the rector, vicar, curate or minister to forward to the Episcopal registry a true copy of all baptisms for the previous year no later than the end of February.
In 1910 all parish registers up to 1849 were manually copied by government staff. As a result there are two versions of the earlier registers available: the original documents and a version where each page is headed "Official Copy". Even in 1910 the original documents were often in poor shape and this is noted in the Official Copy.
Although vicars were required to send a copy of the parish register to the Episcopal Registry each year, this was not always done. However, these Bishop's Transcripts do sometimes fill in a few missing entries or clarify damaged entries. Only the transcripts for the years 1734-99 are available, those for the years 1800-48 have not yet been deposited for public viewing.
The entry for baptism of illegitimate children does not always give the surname of the child. During the 17th and 18th centuries the child was normally given the father's name (if acknowledged). Later the English practice of using the mother's name became the norm.
The compulsory registration of marriages has existed from the earliest times. The form of registration has changed several times over the years but have always been recorded in the parish registers. From 1849 copies had to be forwarded each year to the Episcopal Registry, renamed the Diocesan registry in 1880. The same problems exist as for the registration of baptisms, namely gaps in the registers. These gaps can sometimes be filled in by using the Bishop's Transcripts.
From 1884 by the Civil Registration Act the copies were deposited with the Registrar General. In 1849 the Dissenters' Marriage act provided for marriages in building other than those of the Church of England. It also legalized marriages that had been performed previous to that date.
The minimum legal age for marriage was raised to 16 in 1933. The act does not state what the previous minimum age was, but it was probably 14 for males and females.
Another fertile group of records is marriage contracts. These generally give the names of all the surviving parents. Often other interesting and helpful details are given such as ages and residences.
The compulsory registration of deaths was introduced in 1878. Prior to 1878 one has to rely on the record of burials in the parish register. A large number of burials seem to have not been recorded, especially for children. As for baptisms and marriages, there are many gaps and omissions.
Monumental inscriptions (gravestones) can often provide additional material such as the actual date of death, age or relationship to others. Ages, especially great ages, should be treated with circumspection if they conflict with other reliable information. The Isle of Man Family History Society has published transcripts and site plans for many of the graveyards on the Island.
When reading early wills one gets the impression thatthe testator was already dead at the making of the will. This is indeed the case. Very few early wills were actually made and signed before death. The normal practice was for two or more witnesses to swear in court as to the intentions of the testator's. This practice of noncupative wills was clearly open to abuse and was discontinued in the 19th century.
As early as 1422 it was ordered that all things were to be written "plaine with full letter" and that every plea was to be written out of the "Court Roll" and put on record. We do not know how faithfully these orders were carried out, because till 1580 the records were kept in miscellaneous rolls, the Liber Rotulorum, most of which have been lost. From 1580 they were entered in separate books, now generally known as "The Records". The most important of these books are described below.
Although the records noted below are called "Books" or "Liber" it should be noted that the material was not originally written directly into books but rather was recorded on sheets, even scraps, of paper. Around 1828 the material was assembled and bound into books and it was at this time that many of the document indices were constructed.
A record of landowners, 1610-1704, that contains other details. With luck you will find ages and other relations mentioned.
Separate records were kept for the North Side (1511-1881) and South Side (1511-1870). Within each set of records the name of the landowner and the annual Lord's Rent paid were noted for each parish.
contains actions, decrees, etc., of the Chancery Court. Useful for Marriage Contracts.
A record of disputes (causes).
A record of transactions concerning the barony lands held freehold by the Bishop of Sodor and Man.
Contains the commissions of various officials.
Contains the oaths taken by various officials on receiving their appointments.
A record of transactions concerning the barony lands held freehold by the Abbot of Rushen and other Barons.
Book of Common Pleas, contains actions in that court and the names of officers, juries, etc..
Contains judgments on breaches of penal statutes and appeals from the Spiritual Courts.
Compiled twice a year in a combined North Side and South Side format. This records changes in land ownership through sale, gift, mortgage, inheritance, marriage contract, exchange or bankruptcy. Records the alienation fines and the rents paid.