Burke's Family Index
Publisher: Arco Pub
Published: July 1977
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9780668037129
Subjects: Genealogy; Gentry; Great Britain; Indexes; Nobility
First sentence: Preface 

WHEN EMBARKING on genealogical research one of the first things to establish is what has been recorded in print about a particular family. Up until now there has not been a reliable and comprehensive guide to the 20,000 different family entries featured in Burke's unique range of genealogical and heraldic publications since 1826. The 150th anniversary of the first edition of John Burke's Peerage and Baronetage seemed a highly appropriate occasion on which to fill the gap by producing this invaluable new work, Burke's Family Index. To describe one's own book as "invaluable" in the PREFACE may appear to be in questionable taste, but we speak from experience as genealogists, having already found the Family Index of the utmost usefulness ourselves since the first proofs arrived from the printer. We trust that all genealogists, amateur and professional, will derive a real service from this source of reference, which surely fulfils a long-felt want. 

The main text of the book lists surnames (with every variation treated separately, the compound surnames appearing under the last) in alphabetical sequence, with single references to the most recent accounts of the various entries recorded under those names in Burke's publications, together with the year of the particular edition. An explanation of how to use the Family Index is given in the GUIDE TO THE READER on page xxxi. In effect, the Family Index is a guide to the most complete and up-to-date version of a family's narrative pedigree. It is, therefore, much more than just a pure, pedestrian "Index" which sets out each duplicated reference in edition after edition, thereby wasting the reader's time, but rather an interpretative exercise which is the product of an expert editorial team's exhaustive researches in the labyrinthine series of Burke's works. 

Those who associate Burke's with only, say, the Peerage, the Landed Gentry and the General Armory, may be surprised to read the 13 pages of BIBLIOGRAPHY in this book. We thought it would be a good opportunity to set the record straight and we are greatly indebted to Rosemary Pinches for her contribution in which she has managed to unravel the far from straightforward material, so as to achieve an admirably clear and indeed definitive check-list of all the Burke's publications. Mrs Pinches is, of course, known to all genealogists and armorists as the proprietor of Heraldry Today, the booksellers, and one could describe her as the doyenne of her trade, if doyenne did not sound so inappropriate a word for such an attractive and vigorous personality. 
PREFACE 

vii 

The large majority of the editions of Burke's works referred to in the Family Index are not actually in print (the list facing the title page gives the current books available for sale by the publishers), but we are happy to announce a photocopying service whereby we can supply a photocopy of an entry from an out-of-print edition on receipt of an order giving us the detailed reference and accompanied by £3.00 (the current rate for each entry). In conjunction with the professional body, the Association of Genealogists and Record Agents, we are also pleased to arrange for private genealogical research to be undertaken. Correspondence concerning these services should be addressed to Burke's Peerage Ltd, 56 Walton Street, London SW3. 

The expert editorial team, mentioned earlier, which compiled the Family Index, was made up of our Assistant Editor Charles Kidd, our editorial assistants Suzanna Osman Jones and Camilla Binny, and our Contributing Editors from outside the office, David Williamson and Hugo Vickers. We are most grateful to them for their hard work and to the others who assisted in this deceptively large task. 

In celebration of our 150th anniversary there follows a brief history of Burke's. At a time when interest in family and social history is spreading significantly — perhaps the search for stability in an unstable world and the sense of identity and continuity of line to be found in genealogy are important factors here — we are enthusiastically seeking a wider audience by making our books educational and entertaining, as well as serious and scholarly. Without neglecting our traditional aristocratic fields, we also hope to till new ground objectively. 

HUGH MONTGOMERY-MASSINGBERD Editorial Director Burke's Peerage Ltd June 1976
Description: Burke’s Family Index (1976)
First Edition
ISBN 9780850110227 / 085011022X
DOI 10.5118/bfi.1976
CD-ROM edition also available from the Burke's Peerage Store.

Burke’s Family Index provides a comprehensive guide to the 20,000 different family entries featured in a Burke’s publication between 1826 and 1976. The book lists surnames in alphabetical order, with references to the most recent entry recorded in our publications. It also features a complete Burke’s bibliography covering our first 150 years.
Notes: This book is available by annual subscription to individuals, organisations and libraries on a standalone basis or as part of the Burke's Peerage Shelf collection of Burke's reference works. Users of subscribing UK Public Libraries can access it both within the library and remotely on their home computers. The book is also accessible on the iPhone and iPod touch using the built-in browser or the Exactly application.
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