Sue,
You should also be aware
There are many different editions of Burke's. For example if you are looking
at the 106th edition (1999 I think):
a) This edition only covers peers which are still extant, a small proportion
of the complete peerage
b) It also includes extant Baronets (first creations were in 1611), not
covered in the CP which has been discussed here, although there is an edition
covering the Complete Baronetage, which I have not seen.
c) Burke's will give more of a peer's ancestors and extended family, CP is
more focused on actual peers.
d) Burke's started life as just giving details which had been submitted to
the editors, and early editions contained numerous errors, but the current
editions have been more extensively researched, and it seems to me that the 106th
edition has been updated using CP.
e) Burke's does not give sources and therefore difficult to verify its
accuracy. There is still much material which is wrong, but where Burke's overlaps
with CP, the more recent editions now seem okay, more or less.
But before making a decision, it may be worthwhile looking at copies at a
good library or good book shop, if possible. Also you would find more details in
gen-med Archives, in fact as this subject has so often been discussed, this
is probably why there is not much response to your post.
Adrian
Hi Will,
Thanks for your reply. Now I know exactly which one to tell "Santa"
to bring me. I know about the small print in the edition that crams
13 volumes into 6 books but I have an excellent magnify light that
clamps onto a table or tray table that will work out just fine. Will
make the reading of the small print very easy.
Sue in Florida
macduff@infionline.net-----Original Message-----
From:
WJhonson@aol.com [mailto:WJhonson@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 12:33 AM
To: "Sue J"
Subject: Re: A stupid Question - maybe
Burke's publishes whatever people send them without proving it. CP
does their own research, correcting errors all over the place AND
cites all the documents as well, so you can, if you can, refer back to
them.
CP is by far, up up and away, the better choice

imho of course
Will Johnson