2 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



He also suggested that by using the existing list 

 of Northumbrian land-owners of 1663 as a basis, the 

 descent of estates, for over two centuries, might be 

 traced with little difficulty. This list is printed in the 

 Rev. John Hodgson's History of Northumberland, Part 

 III., vol. i. 



Since Mr Bigge uttered his pregnant words, much has 

 been done by members of the Club and of other scientific 

 and archaeological societies towards the attainment of the 

 objects he recommended. If it be not invidious to single 

 out one society rather than another, the Durham and 

 Northumberland Parish Register Society may be men- 

 tioned. Founded in 1898 for the printing of parochial 

 registers in the ancient diocese of Durham, the Society, 

 during its young life, has already printed the registers, 

 in part, of no less than fourteen parishes. It is suggested 

 that as a complement to the work of that Society all 

 the epitaphs — say before 1850 — existing in the grave- 

 yards attached to the ancient parish churches should be 

 transcribed in full. 



The study of local history has a twofold effect ; for, 

 on the one hand, it satisfies and gratifies the desire for 

 information concerning places and objects in our own 

 neighbourhood ; and on the other, it stimulates an ever 

 increasing thirst for a fuller knowledge. With the object 

 and in the hope of assisting the studies of the younger 

 and more energetic members of the Club who may 

 perhaps not realise how abundant is the available material, 

 I venture to submit for your consideration the following 

 observations. 



Having selected his township or parish, the historian 

 or compiler's task would embiace the collection of notices 

 of: — (I) Geology and mining operations, accounts of borings 

 and sinkings through the strata, in what direction dykes 

 and metallic veins traverse the county, when the mines 

 began to be worked, the quantity and kinds of metals 

 produced, the kinds of furnaces, sites and kinds of 



