Local Historian's Glossary of Words and Terms

Researching local history can be absorbing and rewarding, but often key documents (such as Manorial and Estate papers, probate inventories and parish registers) are full of archaic or Latin words, terms and phrases which require translation.

This glossary was first compiled in the late 1980's from a collection of ancient words drawn up by the author. Since then many more words have been added, making this book a valuable reference guide for both the local and family historian.

This third edition includes:
- Over 3000 unfamiliar words and terms - Lists of obselete weights and measures - Comparative costs of living and values of the pound since 1300 - Latin words and phrases - English currency back to the Roman period and Decimal Currency Convertor - Regnal years of English monarchs 1066-1952 - Saint's Days, Festivals and Moveable Feast Days - Roman Numerals - Dates of sittings of the Supreme Court

Review of this title by David Webster as featured in the new issue of Ancestors magazine (Issue 10, October/ November 2002):
'On very first glance through this book I reacted in a particular way, and after a later much longer read through I was pleased to find that I reacted in the same manner! Simply put, this book belongs to that rare category 'no genealogist or local historian should be without it! The title of Joy Bristow's work does the contents something of a disservice in that it contains a lot more than just a glossary. As well as the 192 pages taken up by the glossary itself there are a further 53 pages with a wealth of information on a wide range of areas...
...I'm no expert in the language that one comes across in genealogical and local history research, although I guess I have more knowledge than those not interested in such areas,-in other words I'm more a user of glossaries, but this one looks good to me, all 192 pages, with such gems as:-
'affeerer/afferatore. Officer of the manorial court whose duty it was to assess monetary penalties'
'baldric. See bautric,-
'bautric. Alternative spelling of baldric,a leather thong inside a bell on which the clapper is hung.'
'impropriator, - Layman having the right to receive (usually the great)tithes, q.v., of the parish. See also appropriator.'
There are extensive cross references, with words occurring elsewhere clearly shown in bold type, of which the two citations above are good examples.Criticisms and negative comments I cannot think of, except for pointing out that James I was, in fact James VI (of Scotland) and I (of England). My only wish is that someone would produce the same book for Scotland, - which is a way of emphasizing that this excellent buy only deals with England.'