Tracing Your Insolvent Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians

Debtors prisons were a common feature in London and other parts of the country, and Paul Blake's handbook provides valuable information for researchers looking to learn about their forebears who may have been caught up in the insolvency system. The book covers the historical background to debt and debtors, bankruptcy and bankrupts, courts and procedures, and the prisons where many debtors were confined. Researchers can find records at The National Archives and local record offices around the country.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2019
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Debtors' prisons have garnered a notorious reputation, yet there has been limited scholarly exploration of the records of individuals confined within them in London or other parts of the country. Even less attention has been given to the trials of individuals who were often incarcerated due to misfortune or mismanagement rather than criminal intent. Consequently, Paul Blake's handbook emerges as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to uncover information about their forebears who may have been entangled in the insolvency system.

The book is organized into a series of informative chapters that provide a historical backdrop to the management of debt and debtors, bankruptcy, and bankrupts. Blake also delves into the courts and procedures encountered by creditors and debtors, as well as the prisons where numerous debtors were held. Throughout the text, he provides details of the records that researchers can consult to further their own exploration of the subject. Many of these records are housed at The National Archives, while others can be found at local record offices across the country.

Paul Blake's book is anticipated to be of immense value to local, social, and family historians, as well as those with an interest in debtor crime and punishment, and bankrupts in general. Its comprehensive coverage and detailed insights into the historical context and records associated with debtors' prisons make it an essential resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 230 x 155 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526738653