To note: Not all volumes are available online. Whilst each volume has an index, there is no index for the whole collection.
Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford
Born: 2 June 1689
Died: 16 June 1741 (aged 52)
Title: 2nd Earl of Oxford
Other Titles: Earl Mortimer
Offices: MP for Radnor & Cambridgeshire
Parents: Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer & Elizabeth Foley
Spouse: Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles
One of the treasures of the State Library is the Harleian Collection, named after Edward Harley who was the second Earl of Oxford (1689-1741). Edward inherited a large library from his father in 1724 and continued to add to the collection throughout his life. At the time of Edward's death the collection included around 8,000 manuscripts, 50,000 volumes of printed books, 41,000 prints, and 350,000 pamphlets.
The Dictionary of National Biography entry says that after his death his wife sold the collection, presumably to try and recoup some of the fortune which she had brought to the marriage and which she believed Edward had wasted due to his 'indolence and good-nature and a want of worldly wisdom'. The manuscript collection was sold to the British nation for 10,000 pounds, and it is these manuscripts which now form the Harleian Collection.
The Harleian Society was formed in the late nineteenth century to index and publish this collection, which it is still doing, and the State Library of South Australia has purchased its publications since the program began.
There is an amazing amount of diverse information contained within the collection. In particular, for people with ancestors who lived in London there are 84 volumes of Parish Registers which contain invaluable information.
An important part of the collection are the Visitations of various counties, whereby Heralds of the College of Arms began visiting families throughout England during the 15th century. The purpose of the Visitations was to confirm and register the arms of those who claimed to be gentry. As a way of proving their rights families would supply pedigrees and it is these which are recorded in the books. Although some claims of entitlement to arms were not valid, the volumes are a marvellous starting point. Once a pedigree is known, it can be verified using Parish Registers and other documentation.
To access the Harleian Collection, identify the volumes required from the list shown, and ask at the Information Desk to see them. Please indicate whether the volumes are visitations or parish registers, as there are three sequences. The volumes are read in the Somerville Reading Room, access requires a State Library membership.