The Court Leet Records Of Southampton 1550-1624

Southampton Court Leet Records 1550-1624 in 3 Volumes + Supplement

Are your roots in the historic port city of Southampton? Have you hit a "brick wall" tracing your family line before the 18th century? Step beyond the parish registers and into the daily lives of your ancestors with this unique and fascinating collection.

The Southampton Court Leet Records, 1550-1624 offers an unparalleled glimpse into a community bustling with merchants, sailors, tradesmen, and families during the turbulent Tudor and early Stuart periods. These are not just lists of names; they are the voices of your ancestors, preserved in their own words.

This was the era of Shakespeare, the Spanish Armada, and the founding of Jamestown. Your ancestors were not just observers; they were part of the fabric of this vital city. Now, you can find them here.

What You'll Discover Inside:

Names of Ordinary People: Find your ancestors listed as tenants, tradesmen, cordwainers (shoemakers), shipwrights, innkeepers, and butchers. The Court Leet records the names of the "middling sort" and labourers often missed by other records.

Family Relationships: Uncover clues to family links through land transfers (surrenders and admissions), witness lists, and mentions of heirs or widows.

Occupations & Social Standing: See your ancestor's stated profession, giving you a vivid picture of their daily life and place in the community.

Property & Landholding: Discover where your family lived. These records meticulously document the transfer of copyhold land and property, often describing the location of the land or tenement.

Community Life & Disputes: Read presentments for minor offences, from "broken pavements" and "nuisance" to disputes over boundaries and the quality of ale sold at the local tavern. This is social history at its most raw and real!

Local Officials: Find out if your ancestor was a man of standing in the community, appointed to roles like constable, ale-taster, or bailiff.

Why These Records are a Genealogist's Goldmine:

A Pre-Census Snapshot: For the 16th and early 17th centuries, these records act like a census, providing a year-by-year account of who lived in the town.
Bridge the Gaps: Use these records to bridge the gap between wills and parish registers, confirming identities and fleshing out family stories.
Primary Source Evidence: This is a direct, contemporary account from the period. You are reading the same documents your ancestors' names were written into over 400 years ago.