The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-18

IN LoNDoN--THE PREPARATION OF PEDI-
GREE.


GREE.
My first care on my return to London
was to write and dispatch to my father
long letter. In the letter gave him
the names, place of residence and all the
particulars ! had gathered In regard to
our distinguished ancestors. This did
in order that he might speak understand
ingly in breaking the great news to our
family and the town. Also sent let
ter TO Prudy, under cover to Captain
Shrimp, In which told her to be Of good
cheer, that all was going well for as.
told her that she would probably hear
something Of my success in my mission
through my father, by way of Rev. Nan
tucket Sperm or Captain Shrimp.
remained in London over fortnight
after dispatching my report to my ia
ther, and was hard at work every mo-
ment of my time had at my disposal
unlimited means and was determined to
brilliantly conclude what / had SO sue
cessfully commenced. My first care was
to look up the pedigree of Sir Archibald
and Lady Eleanor johnson of Thetford,
Norfolk.
went at once to the Herald's college
or College of Arms, in Doctors COM
mons, where all pedigrees have been en-
tered since the founding of the college
by Richard III in 1888, and there spent
half day to good advantage. My time
was not spent in prospecting" the old
musty records of the college, but in
prospecting" the old musty hangers on
of the place-men who have grown old,
bent and gray among the ancient manu-
scripts and ponderous tones.
About the Heralds college are to be
found score or more Of poor devils,
somewhat like our ''shyster" lawyers,
who exc out subsistence by examining
and making transcripts from the old
records. To this not few Of the num-
Der add the less legitimate, but far more
remunerative, business of manufacture
ing genealogies. These men are really
among the best legitimate genealogists
in all England, for in the fabrication of
false genealogies they are compelled not
only to be thoroughly up in all the true
genealogical records, but also to con-
stantly delve in piles of old manuscripts
and histories. In a chat with one of the
officers of the college learned the name
Of one Of the Oldest and most expert gene
illogical workers in both the legitimate
and "shyster" lines of the business.
/ found this man without difficulty
and was so well pleased with him that I
engaged him at once. He was fine
looking old gentleman and in dress af-
fected the clerical. l soon discovered
that he particularly prided himself upon
his ingenuity in the fabrication of bogus
genealogies. He had worked out hun
dreds that had passed muster in Eng
land, and as no man in all Great Britain
was better posted in genuine genealo-
gies, not one Of his fictitious works could
be gainsaid, however much its illegit-
imacy might be suspected.
My work was easy for him, as it was
nearly all of square and legitimate
kind. Much to my surprise / found
that this old genealogical chief had at
his command a full corps of assistants
men glad to be called upon by him to
lend hand in good job. AS soon as
he found that the cost of the work was a
secondary consideration with me, Mr..
Roberts-the name of this prince of gen.
ealogists was Richard Roberts-at once
sent . man to the British museum,
where are kept many records pertaining
to genealogies; another to make tran
scripts of the parish registers in Norfolk
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 in London in the
College of Arms.
The register books kept by the heralds
and their assistants contain the pedigree,
arms and all the leading facts and events
in the history Of family; therefore, to
begin with, there is found in the Herald's
college o rich mine in which to delve in
the very outset. Indeed the Herald's
college, London, is mine Of wealth in
which Americans in want Of ancestors
may profitably dig.
Mr.. Roberts gave me the genealogy Of
Sir Archibald Johnson fairly and truth
fully as far back as it was traceable in