Percival Boyd was born on 29 June 1868 in Clapton Square in north east London to Thomas Boyd, a draper, and his wife, Sarah. Boyd followed in his father’s footsteps to become a textile warehouseman.
Boyd is recorded in J. A. Venn, comp.. Alumni Cantabrigienses (Cambridge University Press, 1922-1954) as follows: Note that his fellowship of the Society and his Marriage Index are both highlighted, revealing their significance to him.
Name: Percival. Boyd
College: CLARE
Entered: Michs. 1887
Born: Jun 1868
More Information: Adm. at CLARE, Mar. 19, 1887. [S. of T., of Surrey Lodge, Woodside. B. June, 1868. School, Uppingham.] Matric. Michs. 1887; Scholar; B.A. (31st Wrangler) 1890; M.A. 1894. In business. Of Warlingham, Surrey. F.S.A., 1929. Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and editor and donor of Boyd’s Marriage Index to that Society. (Uppingham Sch. Reg.; Reg. of the Senate, 1937; E. Axon.)
Boyd became chairman and then managing director of his family firm on Friday Street, London, and was active within the Drapers’ Company. He was also a member of the Cyclists’ Touring Club, the Royal Philatelic Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
It was in 1922, the year he turned 54 years old, that Boyd joined the Society of Genealogists. He became a Fellow four years later in 1926, serving on the Executive Committee between 1927 and 1949. He was appointed Chairman twice, and was Vice-President from 1949 until his death.
In creating his indexes, Boyd acknowledged the difficulty in simply recording a name, such as John SMITH. Thus, he aimed to record a man’s name, livery company and/or their parish, and their marriage date.
The Society’s collection of Boyd’s records comprises four datasets dating back to 1200:
- Boyd’s Family Units
- Boyd’s Inhabitants of London
- Boyd’s London Burials
- Boyd’s Marriage Index.
All of Boyd’s indexes can be explored via SoG Data Online or in the Library. They have also been digitised by Findmypast.
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