As featured in

Family Tree

"Susan Moore achieves exactly what she
set out to do, to prove the usefulness of equity records and to make them accessible by clear exposition and well chosen examples."

As featured in

Society of Genealogists

Susan Moore is one of the leading authorities on this topic. Her new book is not confined to Chancery documents: she also considers the records of Star Chamber, the Court of Requests, the Exchequer court, the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Palatinates of Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. Their record keeping activities were similar – but not identical – to those of Chancery.

This book is aimed at beginners, and as such is to be recommended to those with no previous experience of working with these documents.

Family & Community Historical Research Society

Chancery records are an underutilized record group which can be very valuable for reconstructing families and their characters. This book provides a clear guide into how to access and use these records. It is thus highly recommended for any English/Welsh researcher and all types of genealogical collections.

Paul Milner, Genealogy

A vital comprehensive reference guide to exploring the cases in the Equity Courts records at the TNA. The enlightening wide range of records described and cases outlined are likely to formulate ideas for potential Equity Court research in your own family tree which may prove revealing.

Essex Family History Society

I have recently found the case in the criminal court where my 3x great grandfather, beer shop keeper, gave testimony that a bloke tried to sell him stolen goods. Not a patch on Jarndyce and Jarndyce in the civil courts.
This exploration of the history of the many equity courts and the variety of countless documents makes for fascinating reading. There are ample examples of material, some lengthy with commentary, which demonstrate the richness of the information that can emerge about the lives and character of those involved. If only we could easily identify the documents relating to our research …..

Northumberland & Durham FHS

In this book, Susan Moore removes much of the mystique surrounding the voluminous equity court records, all of which are held at The National Archives, Kew (TNA) and most of which are written in English. Focusing significant attention on the Court of Chancery, she follows a logical path, first whetting the reader’s appetite with an overview of the almost limitless variety of information available, before stepping through the documentation created as an equity suit progressed from initial complaint, to the gathering of evidence and final judgement.

For those wishing to bring real colour to the lives of their ancestors and who are willing to invest some time getting to grips with the undeniable complexities of equity court records, Susan Moore’s latest outing offers first class guidance.

Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

This is a much extended and updated version of a previous booklet on the subject by the author. This traces the history of Equity Courts from about 1500 to 1876 and explains their role and the value of their archives for today's researchers.The author explains why these archives are worth searching, how to go about it and the type of information gems that can be discovered.

They are among the most detailed, extensive and revealing legal documents that historians can consult. The book covers in detail the Courts of Chancery, Exchange, Star Chamber Requests, Palatinates and Duchy of Lancaster. There is an explanation of how to use the relevant TNA indexes, several sample cases and informative glossary and bibliography.

Bristol & Avon Family History Society

Read it for: An essential handbook for understanding and using equity court records.

Your Family History, February 2018

The text of this excellent book is very approachable, covering not only the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer, Requests and Star Chamber, but also the oft-forgotten Palatinates of Chester, Durham and Lancaster, and the Duchy of Lancaster.

WDYTYA? January 2018 – reviewed by Paul Blake

Tracing Your Ancestors Through the Equity Courts will not only whet your appetite but provide excellent historical context and advice on why and how to seek them out.

Family Tree, January 2018