Appendix 1

NOTES FOR FAMILY HISTORIANS

The main primary source for breach of promise cases is newspaper coverage. Searchable newspapers are available on-line, either by personal subscription, or via a public library.

The best search term is ‘breach of promise’, as reports did not always mention marriage. Unfortunately, it can also produce many references not related to marriage. If the results are unwieldy, narrow down by searching for ‘marriage’ or a name or place.

Local or provincial newspapers often included more detail than national ones. If these papers are not searchable on-line, the only way is to trawl microfiche copies in an archive or library. This can be time-consuming and may not be worthwhile on a speculative basis, as newspaper reports often have insufficient detail to confirm that a person is an ancestor. If you need to search microfiche, find out when the local Assize Courts were held as this should narrow down the editions you need search. Some people had the case heard in an area you would not expect. Particularly interesting cases were regularly covered by newspapers serving unrelated parts of the country.

If you find a case in one paper, check other local and national ones. Some papers included much more detail, or interpreted the evidence differently. One report might present the plaintiff as a helpless victim and the defendant as a heartless cad, whilst another will show her as a scheming vixen and the defendant as an ensnared innocent.

Treat any comments about a woman’s beauty and virtues, or a man’s villainy or poverty, with scepticism. This was standard legal rhetoric employed by barristers to try to influence the amount of damages in favour of their client.

If you discover a breach of promise case in the family, it may be possible to research further. Some court papers have survived at The National Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) and a few solicitors have deposited papers with local records offices. On-line resources, such as Access to Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a), should be able to assist in locating anything available.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, some high-profile cases were written up and sold in pamphlet form. Some pamphlets have been digitised and can be accessed on-line.

A list of cases referred to in this book is included in Appendix Four and other authors listed in my bibliography provide similar lists in their books. These secondary sources can be a useful starting-point for checking surnames.