A Collection of Miscellaneous Deeds, 13th century-1896

Scope and Content

The collection runs from the 13th century to 1892, and features property deeds and related papers, including testamentary papers, correspondence, and manorial court rolls. Most of the deeds relate to land and property in Nottinghamshire. However, the counties of Berkshire, Derbyshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire and Yorkshire also feature.

Administrative / Biographical History

This is an artificial collection of deeds and other documents relating to property holding. It is not known how or why the first part of the collection (MD 1-488) was formed, although it has been assumed from internal evidence that it was part of a collection kept in a local solicitor's office. Although its contents argue for a Nottinghamshire origin, it does include material from other counties. The second part of the collection (MD 489-701) is believed to be an artificial gathering of mostly unrelated deeds and documents, added to the Miscellaneous Deeds collection by staff of the Department of Manuscripts in the early 1980s.

Arrangement

The documents are listed in a single numerical sequence. The first eleven boxes (MD 1-488) are listed in order of county, then place, and then chronologically. This pattern is repeated for the second six boxes (MD 489-701).

Access Information

Accessible to all registered readers.

Other Finding Aids

Copyright in all Finding Aids belongs to the University of Nottingham.

In the Reading Room, King's Meadow Campus:

Typescript catalogue, 96 pp

At the National Register of Archives:

Old typescript catalogue of items in the first eleven boxes only (MD 1-488), 37 pp. Please note that the online catalogue and the catalogue at King's Meadow Campus are more up-to-date.

On the World Wide Web:

Catalogue available from the website of Manuscripts and Special Collections, Manuscripts Online Catalogue.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Good

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

Custodial History

The collection was given to the University library in the early 1930s. It was expanded in the early 1980s by the addition of miscellaneous title deeds acquired by the University library before 1962 and not previously catalogued.

Genre/Form