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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: brianz on Monday 28 June 10 11:22 BST (UK)

Title: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: brianz on Monday 28 June 10 11:22 BST (UK)
I have 2 ancestors both called Richard Hannam

 1st Richard Hannam b 1760 Westminster  trained as a solicitor in London then moved to Retford Notts.
 2nd Richard Hannam ( Son of No 1)b 1793 Portland St Soho London  also trained as a solicitor in London

Is there a way that I can find out more about them as solicitors? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: mshrmh on Monday 28 June 10 11:41 BST (UK)
Brianz - one angle would be to search the London Gazette (the "official newspaper") as it contains lots of legal notices & goes back over 300 years. You may well find notices submitted by one or both of them.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/

The Law Society has a little about the history of the profession
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/aboutlawsociety/whoweare/abouthistory.law

I think there were some local law societies before that - perhaps someone-else will know their legal history!
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: Valda on Monday 28 June 10 18:17 BST (UK)
Hi

The Law Society's guide on how to trace a solicitor is the comprehensive guide

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/libraryservices/legalresearchguides/view=article.law?PUBLICATIONID=228200

At the time I checked the website 6.20 p.m. (England) it said

The website www.lawsociety.org.uk is temporarily unavailable.
Our technical staff are working to resolve the problem.
We apologise for the inconvenience and suggest that you return to the site later today.

so if that is the case if you try it this evening check back later.



Regards

Valda
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: jennifer c on Monday 28 June 10 19:49 BST (UK)
Could be family?

Holden's 1811 Directory

William Hannam Solicitor & general agent to the West India Islands & Actuary to the masonic society- Piazza-Chambers Covent Garden.

Jennifer
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: brianz on Monday 28 June 10 21:04 BST (UK)
Valda and mshrmh
                              Thanks for the reply I'll try your suggestions.

Jennifer c
                Thanks but unfortunately we don't have a William, but he may be a family member that I have not found yet,  thanks anyway.

Brainz
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: supermoussi on Tuesday 29 June 10 13:36 BST (UK)
There was a yearly list of Solicitors which will tell you where they worked. It is called the "Law List" and can be found in various archives/libraries but the most complete collection I have seen is held at the British Library at Kings Cross.
Title: Re: Searching for Solicitors
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 29 June 10 14:24 BST (UK)
You may have seen Richard Hannam's evidence to Parliament in 1828 http://www.rootschat.com/links/091z/