| Matthews Introduction |
| Matthews Name Files |
| Matthews Irish Name Files |
| Matthews Abbreviations Search |
| Matthews Abbreviations Guide |
| Matthews fonds |
The Keith Matthews Name Files is a collection of data on individuals, families and businesses involved in the settlement, fisheries and trade of Newfoundland from earliest settlement to 1850. The data were compiled from a wide variety of English, Irish and Newfoundland records, including parish registers, newspapers, shipping records, customs records, political papers, census records, merchant records, diaries, etc. and include data on 37,000 names, arranged by surname and subdivided by given name. The information collected by Matthews usually included a last name, first name, a reference to the source of the information, the date, and a brief summary of the text.
A digital version of these records are now contained in three databases on the Maritime History Archive website. These databases are: the Keith Matthews Name Files; the Keith Matthews Irish Name Files; and the Keith Matthews Abbreviations file.
The Matthews Name Files contain all 37,000 names, but the actual data are presented in pdf documents. For more detailed informaton and to access the search for these data go to:
Matthews Name Files.
The Matthews Irish Name Files are a subset of the Matthews Name Files and contain a little over 1300 Irish surnames. However, this list is incomplete. The project ran out of funds and was shut down. For more detailed informaton and to access the search for these data go to:
Matthews Irish Name Files.
The following example is typical of the type of information contained in these records:
TAVERNER 1754 oct trinity ct Jacob one of his men jac fox abused jn night. Night to get 20/-d of fox wages. JACOB the brother of BEN
Interpretation of Entry: Surname: TAVERNER; Date: October 1754; Source: Trinity Court Records; Notes: Jacob Fox, one of Jacob Taverner's men, abused John Night. The court ordered that Night is to get 20 shillings/no pence of Fox's wages. Jacob Taverner is the brother of Ben Taverner.
Finally, there is the Abbreviation Database, which may help you interpret Matthews' syntax. For more detailed informaton and to access the database go to:
Abbreviation Database.
To assist you with the Abbreviation Database also consult the Abbreviation Guide. The Keith Matthews Names Files can at times be daunting, but also rewarding.
Dr Keith Matthews (1938-1984), noted for his seminal contributions to the study of Newfoundland history, was responsible for the identification, acquisition, and reproduction of many documents from British repositories.
For more information on Dr Matthews and his contributions visit the Keith Matthews fonds on the Maritime History Archive On-line Catalogue.
