Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-11-11
Importing anAnCeStOr
By DAN DE QUILLB.
Copyright, 1873, by American Press Associa-
toni
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
IN EIoNpoN-THE PREPARATION OF \ PEDI,
GREE.
My first care ON my return to London
was to write and dispatch to my father
long letter. In the letter l gave him
the names. place of residence and all tn
particulars l had gathered in regard :.
our distinguished ancestors. This dix
IN order that he,night speak understand
ingly i'll breaking the great news to om
family and the town. Also l sent a let
ter to Prudy. under cover to Captain
Shrimp. in which l told her to be of goOi
cheer, that all was going well for us. j
told her that she would probably heal
something of my success in my mission
through my father, by way of Rev. Nan
tucket Sperm or Captain Shrimp.
remained in London over n fortnight
after dispatching my report to my IA
Their, and l was hard at work every mo
lnent of my time. l had at my dispose
unlimited means and was determined t
brilliantly conclude what l had so sue
cessfully commenced. My first care wa.
10 look up the pedigree of Sir Archibald
and Lady Eleanor johnson of Thetford
Norfolk.
l went at once to the Herald's colleg,
or College of Arms, in Doctors com
mons, where all pedigrees have been en-
tered since the founding of the colleg
by Richard III in 1888 and there spen
half n day to good advantage. Ny timt
was not spent in prospecting" the ole
musty records of the college. but il
prospecting" the old musty hangers OF
Of the place-men who have grown old
bent and gray among the ancient manu-
scripts and ponderous tones.
About the Herald's college are to b
found score or more of poor devils
somewhat like our .'Shyster' LAWYERS
who exc ont Il subsistence by examining
and making transcripts from the OLE
records To this not few of the mum
Der add the less legitimate, but far NOR
remunerative. business of manufacture
ing genealogies. These men are reall,
among the best legitimate genealogist
in all England. for in the fabrication
false genealogies they are compelled no
only 10 be thoroughly up in all the tru
genealogical records, but also to con
stantly delve in piles of old manuscript
and histories. In chat with one of tn
officers of the college l learned the nam
of one of the oldest and most expert gene
illogical workers in both the legitimat
and ''shvster" lines Of the business.
l found this man without difficult,
and was so we'll pleased with him that
engaged him nj once. He was fin
looking old gentleman and i'll dress af
fected the clerical. l soon discovere,
that he particularly prided himself upo
his ingenuity IN the fabrication of bogu
genealogies. He had worked ont hun
dreds that had passed muster" in Eng
land. and rs no man i'll all Great Britain
was better posted in genuine genealo
gies, not one of his fictitious works coulC
be gainsaid. however much its illegit
imacy might be suspected.
My work was easy for him. us il wa
nearly all of a square and legitimnt
kind. Much To my surprise l fount
that this old genealogical chief had a
his command a full corps of assistants
men glad to be called upon by him I,
lend hand in a good job As soon
he found that the cost of the work was Z.
secondary consideration with me, Mr.
Roberts-the name of this prince of gen
ealogistS was Richard Roberts-at ono.
sent man TO the British museum
where are Kept many records pertaining
to gcuealogies; another TO make tran
scripts Of the parish registers in Norfoll
and others to exploring the printed col
lections of genealogical information
such as the books of the peerages, bar
onageS, baronetages and county histories
he himself working i'll London in tn,
College of Arms.
The register books kept by the herald,
and their assistants contain the pedigree
arms and all the leading facts and event.
i'll the history of a family; therefore, I,
begin with, there is found in the Herald.
college rich mine in which to delve il
the very outset. Indeed the Herald,
college, London, is mine of wealth il
which Americans i'll want of ancestor,
may proftably dig.
Mr.. Roberts gave me the genealogy u
Sir Archibald johnson fairly and truth
fully as far back rs il was traceable il