Page:The Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of the British Empire Part 2.djvu/817

COLLECTANEA GENEALOGICA. ab initio. The former is compiled from the Parliamentar)^ Return, and is supplemented with genealogical notes; this is peculiarly my own ground, and as I have also the good fortune to be able to include copious annotations from the private collections of Rev. A. W. Beavan of Preston, and Thomas J. Hercy, Esq., of Cruchfield House, Berks, so I trust it will assume considerable importance, supplying, as it does, a fund of material for another branch of neglected Biography. The Marriages of the Nobility and Gentry claim special notice. Their compilation is due, in the first instance, to the rare energy and perseverance of Miss Ada Gardner, a great- niece of Dalloway, the historian of Sussex. Those from the Registers of Westminster Abbey are included by permission of Col. Chester, and those from the Times (1S65 to 1880) are extracted by special permission from the private collection of Sir Albert Woods, Garter King-of-Arms. This collection has a pagination of its own. To test the value of the plan I am pursuing, let any well-known Pedigree be taken, and let it be seen what additions can be made to it merely from the Lists of Marriages, of Deaths, and of Members of Parliament (as they appear in this Part only), and I apprehend that all will admit that, with a few Collections such as these, it would not be a difficult matter to transform almost any Pedigree (other than that of an old ennobled family) from a meagre string of nominal generations into a family history, abounding and sparkling vith facts, with- out which it possesses i^w^ if any, points of interest. The Collectanea proper will be published at intervals, and will include Pedigrees of notable and celebrated families, contributed by eminent Genealogists, Notes and Queries on genealogical subjects, &c., &c. In selecting subjects for pubHcation it will, I think, be admitted that I have adopted those which have the widest scope and which are likely to confer the most general benefit. It will be a leading feature of my Work that I shall endeavour to interest and assist not only the Genealogists of the Sister Kingdoms, but also those who have worked so ably in the United States of America. Practical suggestions for new subjects will be gladly received, as also oflTers of literary help, and the co-operation of Genealogists in each county is specially invited, in order that they may respectively ransack their County Histories and kindred w'orks, and that all Monumental Inscriptions, Wills, and Extracts from Parish Registers may be transcribed (condensed when desirable), so that ultimately three general alphabetically arranged collec- tions may be compiled and printed under the above titles. " Many hands make light work," and it is one of the maxims of the present day that co-operation will often succeed where individual enterprise must faik It only remains for me now to press upon my Genealogical friends the fact that I hope they will honour me with their support by sending me their names as Subscribers, and by forwarding me their Annual Subscription for this Publication. As all Genealogists of any status admit that it must be indispensable to them, so I trust that their interest in the Work will induce them to show practically their approval by influencing their friends to become Subscribers also, and by doing all in their power to ensure its success. I feel sure that, sooner or later, there will not be a Hbrary of any importance, public or private, which will not possess this Series of Works of Reference. Joseph Foster. 21, Boundary Road, FiNCHLEY Road. London, N.W. June, iSJJi.