10.17.09
Original primary source documents
Recently I sought out the will of James Palmer Farley who died at Hill End in 1876.
I was the first person to see these original papers since they were filed for probate on 30th March 1876. I know this because the packet had the original green ribbon neatly tied through the top left corner and while I was looking at these papers the ribbon broke due to its age and the pressure of me turning the document pages over. I felt like a vandal when this happened but as there was nothing I could do, the ribbon was broken I couldn’t fix it, I continued to read the documents. Seventeen pages in total and included a Bond document, two Affidavit of Surety, an Affidavit in support of application for administration, an Oath of Administration, an Affidavit of Publication and the Petition. It appears James Palmer Farley had goods worth close to £200. These documents contain the signature of my ancestor, William Nix Farley, Jame’s brother and beneficiary.
William Farley stated in these documents that James “departed this life unmarried on or about the 17 February intestate leaving behind him myself, his brother and next of kin and the only person entitled to his estate and effects, the Father of the above named deceased has been dead for many years…” Thomas Farley had died in 1858 in Kent.
To see the original documents was a thrill not often felt these days with scanned images online, microfilm and microfiche. To be able to smell the paper and touch (with gloved hands) original primary source documents is something all genealogists should have an opportunity to experience. Original primary source documents brings the history of our research of facts to life and the experience is well worth it. Go visit your local archives office as soon as you can before everything is digitised.