Big Book - A

abstract abbreviated transcription of a document or record that includes the date of the record, every name appearing therein, the relationship (if stated) of each person named and their description (ie., witness, executor, bondsman, son, widow, etc.), and if they signed with their signature or mark.

ad litem legal term meaning in this case only. For example, "Elaine Shawcross, duly appointed by the court, may administer ad litem the settlement of the estate of Joseph Thomas, deceased.

adm/admin (abbreviation) administrator, administration.

admon. (abbreviation) letters of administration.

administration a court action used to settle the estate of a person who died without leaving a will, or a person who left a will that the court disallowed, or where the executor appointed by the deceased refuses to serve in that capacity.

affidavit a written or oral statement made under oath.

ahnentafel ancestor table. A complete ahnentafel gives more than the individual's name, date and place of birth, christening, marriage, death and burial. It gives biographical and historical commentary for each person listed, as well as footnotes citing the source documents used to prove what is stated.

ahnentafel Number the unique number given to each position in an ancestor table is called an ahnentafel number. Number one designates the person in the first generation. Numbers two and three designate the parents of number one andd so on.

a.k.a. also known as; alias.

alien a citizen of another country.

ancestor a person from whom you descend;grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.; direct-line ancestor; forefather; forebear.

Ancestral File a genealogical system developed by the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), links individuals to ancestors in pedigree, family group, and descendant formats.

ancestry denotes all of your ancestors from your parents as far back as they are traceable.

anon. (abbreviation) anonymous.

annotation interpretation, explaination, clarification, definition, or supplement.

annuity An annuity is income paid to a beneficiary at regular intervals, for a fixed period or ascertainable period (usually the lifetime of a nominee) in return for a lump sum payment having been previously made into the scheme by a subscriber - i.e. a spouse, benefactor or employer

appr. (abbreviation) appraisal; appraisment.

assignment grant of property or a legal right, benefit, or privilege to another person.

authenticate prove a document is not a forgery.

Acater Supplied food, provisions, e.g. Ship's Chandler. French - Achateur (buyer)

Accipitary Falconer

Accomptant Accountant

Accoucheur Assisted women in childbirth (midwife)

Accoutrement Maker/Accoutre Supplier or maker of Military Clothing and Accessories

Ackerman/Acreman Ploughman or Oxherd

Actuary Accountant - public business account keeper

Administrator Court appointee who settled affairs of the estate of the deceased

Advertisement Conveyancer Sandwich Board Man

Advocate Deputy Scottish Law Officer - Public Prosecutor

Advowee Usually a Nobleman who had the right to present a clergyman to a benefice

Aeronaut Balloonist or Trapeze Artist in circus or Music Hall

Affeeror/Assessor/Assessor. Manorial Court Official - assessed monetary penalties & collected taxes & dues

Agister Official of Royal Forests. In the New Forest, In charge of the ponies

Alabasterer Worked with Alabaster!

Alblastere Crossbownam

Alchemist Medieval Chemist, claiming ability to make gold from base metal

Alderman Senior Councillor immediately below Mayor in local Councils. (Still extant today.)

Ale-Conner/Ale Founder Official who tested quality and measure served in Public Houses. (Pubs)

Ale Draper Seller of Ale

Ale Tunner Filled the Ale casks (tuns) in Breweries

Alewife Woman who kept an Alehouse or Tavern

All Spice A Grocer

Almanac Man Official of the Court of Sewers – warned of abnormally high tides in the Trent River area

Almoner In charge of an Almshouse. Giver of charity to the needy Hospital employee who assists patients with personal matters arising from their stay in hospital

Almsman Receiver of Alms

Alnager / Aulnager Official - examined quality of woolen goods & stamped them with the town seal of approval

Amanuensis Secretary or stenographer

Amber Cutter Cut and polished Ambergris for jewellery

Ambler Officer of the Royal Stables who broke in the horses

Amen Man Parish Clerk

Anchor Smith Made Anchors

Anchoress Female hermit or religious recluse

Anchorite Male hermit or religious recluse

Anilepman Smallholder - tenant of the Manor

Ankle Beater Young person who helped to drive cattle to market

Annatto Maker Made dyes for paint or printing trades

Annuitant Receiver of an Annuity * see Annuity *

Antigropelos Maker Made waterproof leggings

Anvil Smith Maker of anvils and hammers for the smithy trade

Apiarian Beekeeper

Apothecary Prepared and sold medicines and drugs. Pharmacist

Apparitor Official who summoned witnesses to the ecclesiastical courts

Apprentice Trainee bound to a skilled (Master) worker or Company for a specified time to learn the Trade More Info. More Info.

Aproneer Term used in London for a Shopkeeper

Apronman Engineer or mechanic

Aquarius Ewar Waterman

Aquavita Seller Seller of Alcohol

Arbiter Arbitrated in disputes

Archiator Physician

Archil Maker Made a purple dye from lichens - used in the textile industry

Arkwright Skilled craftsman making "Arks" (wooden chests or coffers)

Armiger Squire who carried a Knight's armour. Entitled to bear heraldic arms

Armourer Made armour for wear or for buildings, ships etc. and now used to include armaments generally

Arrowsmith Forged arrowheads

Artificer A military mechanic who does repairs

Artisan One who is employed in any of the industrial arts; a mechanic, handicraftsman, artificer.

Ashman Dustman - today called a "Cleansing Operative/Engineer" !!

Assayer Determined the proportions of minerals in ore

Assay Master Determined the amount of gold or silver in coins

Auger Maker Made carpenters' augers, used for boring holes in wood

Aulnager See Alnager

Aurifaber Goldsmith

Avenator (Plantifene) Hay and forage Merchant

Avowry Lord of the Manor

Axel Tree Maker / Turner Made axles for coaches and wagons

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