As featured in
Aug 22

Who Do You Think You Are

"I am sure I for one, will return to it again and again for helpful advice and vital information."

Review for

Society of Genealogists

It is a testament to the achievement of the aims of this book that have made it the major extended source dealing with the subject since the first edition 30 years ago.

Vernacular Architecture Vol. 49

This is a book which is highly recommended for those local and family historians new to exploring dusty old title deeds, but it comes with a health warning.
Online reviews have said it is ‘excellent’, ‘invaluable’, and ‘essential’, and a fourth reviewer described it as ‘my ‘’bible’’ when it came to trying to understand and interpret title deeds’ - all are very apt descriptions of what is one of the few books in print on this subject. After the introduction, there are just three chapters, entitled ‘Why?’, ‘Where?’ and ‘How?’, which are shorthand for ‘Why use deeds and what do they contain?’, ‘Where are they located?’ and ‘How can their evidence be extracted’. In addition, at the end of the book are two useful indices plus a glossary and several appendices. It’s not a difficult read, there are detailed notes at the end of each chapter, and there is no question that this is an informative well-written book by someone who clearly knows his subject, so what’s not to like?

Family & Community Historical Research Society

With enthusiasm the author presents the case for the usefulness of these documents. He informs us where to find the deeds and how to extract information. It is an excellent and very accessible reference book enhanced by many useful and interesting examples illustrating the nature and the value of deeds to family historians who desire to learn more of the lives of their early ancestors.

Northumberland & Durham FHS

A fascinating book for both family and local historians.

Bristol & Avon FHS

Nat Alcock openly presents this book as a repackaging of his earlier work ‘Old Title Deeds’ but, importantly, updated to reflect what he describes as ‘an explosion in the use of personal computers, laptops and tablets, and of digital photography.’ This volume also preserves the structural simplicity of its predecessor, an introductory chapter followed by three core sections based on half of Kipling’s ‘six honest serving men’ – why, where and how? On this basis, it may be tempting to conclude that the re-styled content has little new to offer. However, this judgement would fail to recognise the effort made to modernise the presentation style and enliven the text.
The researcher is also offered a wealth of additional practical advice; for example, how to obtain details of documents submitted on first registration and how to use The National Archives’ online catalogue, Discovery, and other overarching databases, to best advantage. Further valuable help is also found in more expansive appendices offering flowcharts to help identify deed types and texts of typical deeds.
The reality remains that, for many family historians, the effort required to first locate and then extract what might prove to be minimal information from a bundle of near illegible old deeds, does not represent a worthwhile investment in time. However, for those undaunted by the potential challenge, Nat Alcock’s latest publication may help pave the way to significant discoveries.

Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

An essential guide to a much-neglected source, vital for house historians.

WDYTYA?, April 2018 – reviewed by Celia Heritage

The book helpfully explores the subject in terms of the why, where and how of title deeds.

Read it for:An essential expert guide to these complex legal documents.

Your Family History, March 2018

Although a major source of information about field and place names, property history and the growth of towns and cities, these documents are some of the most neglected. Useful reading for beginner and experienced family and local historians, Dr Nat Alcock, of the University of Warwick, aims to put this right by demonstrating how these records can be found, analysed and interpreted. With information presented in a series of concise and easy-to-read chapters, it reveals how fascinating and rewarding title deeds can be once their history, language and purpose are understood.

Family Tree, February 2018