As I’ve continued to research the subject of peerage, I’ve found it’s an area that is WAY too big to condense into a single blog post.  So, I will relay a brief definition, and will also provide links to related items in our collection, as well as providing links to a couple of websites.

So, what, exactly, is “peerage”?  As defined by Wikipedia, peerage is the term associated with the system of titles of nobility in the United Kingdom.  The term can be applied to the entire system of titles, or it can be applied to one specific title.  The Wikipedia article goes into considerable depth on the subject.  One concept, in particular, that the article discusses is that the British Peerage is not the only system of peerage.  There are also peerages associated with France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, and the Holy Roman Empire.

The library owns the Debrett’s Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage… and the Debrett’s Peerage and Baronetage.  These volumes are kept in the Genealogy collection in the Topeka Room, and can be used freely within the Topeka Room.  There are other materials available in the library; some items circulate, while others are considered Reference materials (as is the case with the Debrett’s volumes) and cannot be checked out.

Two websites worth noting are www.burkes-peerage.net and www.thepeerage.com. 

For me, one question remains:  how does the subject of peerage apply to basic Genealogy in our library?  The application seems to be evident if, in your search for your ancestors, you discover you have British lineage.  Hopefully, our resources will be of assistance, as you trace your ancestry.

This is a new subject for me, so feedback and corrections are welcome.

(Image from www.vingagekin.com/freeware.)