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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => London & Middlesex Lookup Requests => London and Middlesex => England => London & Middlesex Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: modette on Wednesday 06 April 05 21:43 BST (UK)

Title: Lawyers
Post by: modette on Wednesday 06 April 05 21:43 BST (UK)

Hi.
I wonder if anyone can help me with this small problem.

Would anyone know where I would be able to obtain lists of London Lawyers from the 19th Century. Recently found out an ancestor was a lawyer but can't think where to start looking for info about him and his profession.


If you can help..........Thank you

Title: Re: Lawyers
Post by: percy on Thursday 07 April 05 11:55 BST (UK)

If you know his name, dates and town or city, you could begin by looking in the Post Office , Trade, or other Directories of the period.

Percy

Title: Re: Lawyers
Post by: ryan on Thursday 07 April 05 12:34 BST (UK)

Hi,
Are yo sure that your ancestor was a Lawyer, and not a Sawyer? I have been missinformed on a census return (not from Rootschat, mind ;)) that an ancestor of mine went from being an Ag Lab for over two decades on two previous census returns, to being a Lawyer on a third. When I requested an image of the census return I read the occupation as Sawyer. Coincidently, on his daughter's marriage certificate (about five years after that wrongly-interpreted census return) his occupation was again, Sawyer.

I just wanted to make sure that you're certain your ancestor is a Lawyer ;D

Good luck with your research!!

Ryan.

:)

Title: Re: Lawyers
Post by: chasbaz on Thursday 07 April 05 15:53 BST (UK)

Good point, Ryan.

In England, lawyers are not usually referred to as such - they are likely to be described as a solicitor, notary, barrister or King's/Queen's Counsel [a KC/QC, nicknamed a 'bencher' or a 'silk']

Charles

Title: Re: Lawyers
Post by: modette on Thursday 07 April 05 23:33 BST (UK)

Hi Guys.

On the marriege certificate I have got, it definetly says that my ancestor was a lawyer. Maybe he was scottish or something.....don't they call their solicitors lawyers?

This has definetly given me something to ponder on though. Maybe a bit more research is in order.

Thanks for the help

Title: Re: Lawyers
Post by: chasbaz on Friday 08 April 05 16:23 BST (UK)

I suppose that 'lawyer' could be used on documents as a general term. 

You could check the records of the Inns of Court, such as Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn etc.  I found the librarians at the first two very helpful.  There are also Law lists and a publication called Men of the Law.  Another place would be in the alumni lists of the universities.  A good reference library should be able to help with these.