Collection GB 0074 CLC/B/079-01 - EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 CLC/B/079-01

Title

EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY

Date(s)

  • 1803-1976 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

125 production units.

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships was formed in 1762. It was the first society to use a scientific form of life assurance which enabled the Equitable to accept a broad range of risks. By 1797 there were over 5,000 assurances in force. The name 'Equitable Life Assurance Society' appeared in brochures by 1857, but the Society only became incorporated with this name in 1893.

The Society acquired the Reversionary Interest Society in 1919; University Life Assurance Society in 1919; and Equitable Reversionary Interest Society in 1920.

The Society was based at Nicholas Lane (1762-74); New Bridge Street (1774-1870); Mansion House Street (1870-1924); Coleman Street (1924-c1992); and Basinghall Street (c 1993- ). The Society was closed to new business in 2000.

Archival history

GB 0074 CLC/B/079-01 1803-1976 Collection 125 production units. Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships
Equitable Life Assurance Society

The Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships was formed in 1762. It was the first society to use a scientific form of life assurance which enabled the Equitable to accept a broad range of risks. By 1797 there were over 5,000 assurances in force. The name 'Equitable Life Assurance Society' appeared in brochures by 1857, but the Society only became incorporated with this name in 1893.

The Society acquired the Reversionary Interest Society in 1919; University Life Assurance Society in 1919; and Equitable Reversionary Interest Society in 1920.

The Society was based at Nicholas Lane (1762-74); New Bridge Street (1774-1870); Mansion House Street (1870-1924); Coleman Street (1924-c1992); and Basinghall Street (c 1993- ). The Society was closed to new business in 2000.

In November 2006 the Actuarial Profession (comprising the Faculty of Actuaries and the Institute of Actuaries) funded the purchase acquisition of the records of Equitable Life up to 1950 (together with the records of the Reversionary Interest Society and the Equitable Reversionary Interest Society). The records covering the period circa 1834-circa 1950 were deposited in Guildhall Library. A very few post-1950 records were deposited in Guildhall Library at the same time; these are now Ms 38664/3-5 (policy registers). The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Records of the Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships, later known as the Equitable Life Assurance Society. The records comprise: minutes 1834-1951, and indexes 1830-89 (Ms 38646-52; financial records, 1831-1972 (Ms 38653-62); policy records, 1803-1976 (Ms 38663-76); correspondence, 1833-61 (Ms 38677); and policy forms and other operational records, [1870]-1931 (Ms 38678-85).

A note at the front of the policy registers states that up to 1891 (policy number 13787), details of policies were entered in five books: policy ledgers; dockets (Ms 38667); ticket books; registers of notices of assignment (Ms 38668); and policy loan ledgers.

In 1908, new policy registers were compiled for all the policies up to number 13787 which were still in force (Ms 38664). These new registers contain all the information for each policy on a single page.

Ms 38664/3-5 are held as a deposit from Equitable Life and enquiries relating to access to these items should be addressed to Equitable Life.

Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions.

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

See also CLC/102.

Records pre circa 1834 are held at the Institute of Actuaries, including policy ledgers, 1762-1806, 1817-40; dockets, 1767-75; 1814-16; and ticket books 1772-82, 1798-1800, 1824-35. Visits to the Institute of Actuaries Library need to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance.

Enquiries relating to publication of pre-1950 records should be addressed to the Librarian at the Institute of Actuaries, Staple Inn, High Holborn, WC1V 7QJ.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

November 2010 to January 2011. Assurance companies Business records Service industries Financial service industries Finance Insurance services Insurance Life insurance Information sources Documents Insurance records Insurance policies Companies Enterprises Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships Equitable Life Assurance Society City of London London England UK Western Europe Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

In November 2006 the Actuarial Profession (comprising the Faculty of Actuaries and the Institute of Actuaries) funded the purchase acquisition of the records of Equitable Life up to 1950 (together with the records of the Reversionary Interest Society and the Equitable Reversionary Interest Society). The records covering the period circa 1834-circa 1950 were deposited in Guildhall Library. A very few post-1950 records were deposited in Guildhall Library at the same time; these are now Ms 38664/3-5 (policy registers). The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships, later known as the Equitable Life Assurance Society. The records comprise: minutes 1834-1951, and indexes 1830-89 (Ms 38646-52; financial records, 1831-1972 (Ms 38653-62); policy records, 1803-1976 (Ms 38663-76); correspondence, 1833-61 (Ms 38677); and policy forms and other operational records, [1870]-1931 (Ms 38678-85).

A note at the front of the policy registers states that up to 1891 (policy number 13787), details of policies were entered in five books: policy ledgers; dockets (Ms 38667); ticket books; registers of notices of assignment (Ms 38668); and policy loan ledgers.

In 1908, new policy registers were compiled for all the policies up to number 13787 which were still in force (Ms 38664). These new registers contain all the information for each policy on a single page.

Ms 38664/3-5 are held as a deposit from Equitable Life and enquiries relating to access to these items should be addressed to Equitable Life.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

See also CLC/102.

Records pre circa 1834 are held at the Institute of Actuaries, including policy ledgers, 1762-1806, 1817-40; dockets, 1767-75; 1814-16; and ticket books 1772-82, 1798-1800, 1824-35. Visits to the Institute of Actuaries Library need to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance.

Enquiries relating to publication of pre-1950 records should be addressed to the Librarian at the Institute of Actuaries, Staple Inn, High Holborn, WC1V 7QJ.

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area