Whilst searching for something else online, I was recently very happily diverted for a whole afternoon by a curious document I found on the Irish Manuscript Commission's digital resources out-of-print collection. The Kings Inns Admission Papers, 1607-1867 is effectively a compiled index to various formal applications held in the Kings Inn Library in Dublin.
Entering the legal profession in Ireland has involved several formal steps over the centuries, including university study to become a barrister or apprenticeships to become attorneys. Barristers also had to undertake a period of study in England at the Inns of Court in London. Luckily for us, when these men applied to the Kings Inn Society in Dublin, they had to supply some genealogical information - father's name and profession and education for example. If you are familiar with the Alumni Dublinenses for Trinity College Dublin, you may have seen this sort of information for your ancestor already. However, the truly brilliant gem in the Kings Inn papers is that mothers' maiden names were also included in the admission memorials. So, if you have a legal ancestor for whom you are struggling to find a baptism, this might be just the key you need to unlock a people puzzle.
Take a look at my updated Students, Clergy & Lawyers page for more details.
Entering the legal profession in Ireland has involved several formal steps over the centuries, including university study to become a barrister or apprenticeships to become attorneys. Barristers also had to undertake a period of study in England at the Inns of Court in London. Luckily for us, when these men applied to the Kings Inn Society in Dublin, they had to supply some genealogical information - father's name and profession and education for example. If you are familiar with the Alumni Dublinenses for Trinity College Dublin, you may have seen this sort of information for your ancestor already. However, the truly brilliant gem in the Kings Inn papers is that mothers' maiden names were also included in the admission memorials. So, if you have a legal ancestor for whom you are struggling to find a baptism, this might be just the key you need to unlock a people puzzle.
Take a look at my updated Students, Clergy & Lawyers page for more details.
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