Introduction
In 1900 Her Majesty's Stationery Office published the very useful Index to Local Acts, consisting of Classified Lists of the Local and Personal and Private Acts from ... 1801 to ... 1899 (both inclusive). The volume relates, of course, to the whole of the United Kingdom. It is felt that those interested in research into all branches of Lancashire history would benefit by the compilation of a classified list of Local and Personal Acts relating to that County alone, prior to 1801. It would be rash perhaps to state that every such Act is included here, but it is thought that completeness has been closely approached. In addition to the Acts patently which relate to Lancashire, some effort has been made to include also Acts which, although principally of a general nature, have sections in which the County is mentioned specifically. Copies of some of these Acts are extremely rare. As a possible help to students, therefore, those which are to be found in the Lancashire Record Office have been marked with an asterisk. Needless to state, additions are continually being made.