ANNUITY  RECORDS...The  British State Tontine and Annuity records
       of the 17th and 18th centuries are in the PRO Chancery  Lane  and
       the  British  Museum.  They  are  said  to be vast disordered and
       dirty!

       The records contain  unique  information  about  whole  families,
       though  these  were  largely  of  middle  class  origin. However,
       masters frequently took out  annuities  for  their  own  benefit,
       running  on  the  lives  of  the  young  and  healthy servants or
       employees, so more humble people figure in the records.

       As with modern  annuities  it  was  essential  to  have  accurate
       records  of  age, status and parentage, and to update the records
       with changes of status,  e.g.marriage,  changes  of  address  and
       death.   There   are   sometimes  supporting  documents  such  as
       baptismal,  marriage   and   death   certifiactes,   wills,   and
       certificates of existance.

       For  further  information,  consult   F.L.Leeson's  "Guide to the
       Records of the British State Tontines and Life Annuities  in  the
       17th and 18th centuries" published by the SOG in 1968. Mr. Leeson
       is Honorary  Archivist of the Institute for  the Study of Surname
       and Family Origin and Distribution. They hold an  index  to   the
       documents with useful genealogical facts extracted.

       Write  to  Mr. Leeson, 108 Sea Lane, Ferring, SUSSEX, BN12 5HB. A
       charge is made for supplying the information.