RASCAL

D/998 and D/3004

Estate, family and political papers of the Brooke Family of Colebrooke, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, baronets and (from 1952) Viscounts Brookeborough, c 1575-c 1975, concerning the development and administration of the family lands in Ulster and the political and/or personal interests and careers of principal family members, including that of Sir Basil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough (1888-1973), Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, 1943-63. Estate papers included in the collection consist of a range of typical documentation comprising good runs of title deeds, deeds of settlement, mortgages, leases and accompanying registers, rentals, case papers and correspondence etc. Also to be found is an important series of early manuscript maps and surveys of lands in the manor of Brookeborough, 1722-1938, mostly dating from before 1834, and including the work of the celebrated 18th century surveyor, William Starrat. Of the personal papers contained in the collection are genealogical notes relating to the Brooke Family for the period, 1680-1739, various commissions, patents of appointment, 1755-1969, personal, business and/or political papers of Sir Henry Brooke (1770-1834), Sir Victor Brooke (1843-91), Sir Douglas Brooke (1865-1907), Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, and Captain John Warden Brooke, 2nd Viscount Brookeborough. The papers of Sir Basil are of particular significance. These include personal and political correspondence for the period, 1910-1973, covering his ministerial appointments in the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, and latterly as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, diaries, news cuttings, photographs, film and tape recordings relating to Sir Basil, his family and related events. Also featured in the collection is a two volume diary-cum-autobiography of General Sir Arthur Brooke (d. 1843), 1793-1816, which records his military career and exploits with the 44th Regiment and his roles in the Peninsular War of 1808 and the British attack on Washington and Baltimore in 1814.

The Brookeborough Papers are significant for subjects relating to, and associated with, estate management and land purchase in Ireland from the early modern period onwards, for the development and evolution of family lands and property in Colebrooke, Co. Fermanagh, and for the political and personal interests and careers of prominent family members. Of particular note are those relating to General Sir Arthur Brooke (d. 1842), a commander in the British attack on Washington in 1814, and the 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, 1943-63.

The Brookeborough papers comprise c.3,500 documents, c.115 volumes and 6 outsize photographs and formal documents, 1575, 1639 and 1658-c.1975. The collection also includes reels of 16mm cine film concerning the 1st Viscount Brookeborough, c. 1950-69 and tape recordings of conversations involving same, 1955 and c 1960-1973.

English

1575 - 1975

Collection.Archive.Text

Policy: Closed   Method: Permanent Deposit   Periodicity: Closed

Although the collection is largely closed to additions, deposits from the Brookeborough Family remains a possibility.

The collection is stored in secure, closed accomodation and can be requested for on-site consultation using an in-house document ordering system. Access is supervised and for research and/or reference purposes only. Most of the diaries, news-cutting books, photograph albums, etc, dating back to Sir Victor Brooke's day that are included in the overall collection have been retained by the Brookeborough Family. Special access arrangements can be made, but intending researchers should write well in advance stating what it is they wish to see and explaining the nature of their research. Additionally, two separate periods of closure have been placed on the papers - 50 years in respect of correspondence and 30 years in respect of diaries. This, in practice, means that correspondence is closed until 51 years from the date of the last letter in the file or bundle, and diaries for 31 years from the date of the last entry in each volume.

See PRONI Calender References D/998 and D/3004 for details. Catalogue available in PRONI search room for consultation. An introduction to the collection can be found on http://www.proni.gov.uk/records/private/brookeb.htm" target="new_window">http://www.proni.gov.uk/records/private/brookeb.htm .

MSS/Archive Collection