How to find Lease of farm land - Genealogists' Forum

Nana Anna · #1 10-09-09, 18:41

Have some roaming farmers who moved from Somerset to Hampshire to Wiltshire. Any ideas how I go about finding details. Would imagine they leased/rented the land. Has anyone ever found any records - need to know what to look for before I trek to the records office?

Thanks.

kiterunner · #2 10-09-09, 18:45

What sort of date, Anna?

Nana Anna · #3 10-09-09, 18:47

1861 census they were in Somerset, 1871 Hampshire and finally landed in Wiltshire in 1881.

kiterunner · #4 10-09-09, 18:52

I would try searching on A2A first if I were you - they have a lot of entries for land leases.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

Phoenix · #5 10-09-09, 18:56

Look at the catalogues for the record offices, as well as A2A, searching by surname. If you are lucky, there may be online references & the RO will do you a photocopy.

It's a bit late for manorial records, but if they held the land copyhold AND the manorial records survive, then you may be able to trace the period of their tenancy that way. Pre 1831, you can use land tax assessments - again, if they survive.

I have used all three. Manorial records, in particular are a fearful plod, unless they are indexed. LTAs are brilliant, but too early for you.

Oh, and if you go to the record office to look at deeds or manorial stuff, don't wear white - most of the docs are FILTHY.

Nana Anna · #6 10-09-09, 19:07

Thanks Kate and Phoenix. Can't see anything listed yet, still hunting. Would they be in some sort of business directory do you think?

Phoenix · #7 10-09-09, 19:11

Early directories tend to list owners only, but the later ones include tenant farmers. The Owners of Land 1873 includes everyone who owned at least 1 acre so they might be there.

Nana Anna · #8 10-09-09, 19:14

Aaaah so if they owned the land the might be in the Owners of Land 1873 - is that viewable at all RO's?

Phoenix · #9 10-09-09, 19:22

It may be available at large libraries. I've bought copies published for individual counties, but I think it was statistical info, presumably requested by the government.

Nana Anna · #10 10-09-09, 19:27

Thanks Phoenix. I will check the library. Getting sucked into A2A now with other names - had forgotten about it.