Web sites to Register Arms

[Edward Hillenbrand]

What are people's thoughts on web sites such as AssumeArms.com and such? There is no fee for sending in your arms, but it just doesn't seem right to me. It isn't as bad as "The Principality of Hutt River", but ... .

[Ryan Shuflin]

To me, there is only value in having one's arms registered on a reputable site, of which there are few. The specific example Assumearms.com is a marketing ploy by the artist Michael Richards. I don't know the actual quality of his work, but his website strikes me as being neither of great nor horrible quality. I am suspicious of the lack of a photograph of a final rendering, and am confused by the distinction he draws between a coat of arms and an achievement.

[JMcMillan]

The U.S. Heraldic Registry is now back up and running: reputable, knowledgeable, and free.

http://usheraldicregistry.com/index.php?n=Main.HomePage

[Mark Henderson]

It's nice to have the United States Heraldic Registry back in operation. My arms were recently registered with the USHR.

[Edward Hillenbrand]

Glad to see that. I know it is a LOT of work to keep a web site up & running.

[andrewkerensky]

Post removed.

[Kathy McClurg]

I believe one online registration company also plans on issuing books so that you can view other Amigers arms and the rationale no doubt behind them.

Volume I of this company is already published: http://www.armorial-register.com/

There are divergent philosophies about registrations. Interestingly enough many of the conversations about this seldom mention that the main function of Lyon Court, College of Arms, Canadian Heraldic Authority, etc. is - in fact - registration.

For locations without government backed registration services, registration of arms serves no great purpose other than to publicize that you have assumed arms. If you are on the member's roll here or had your arms designed here, the gallery serves the same purpose.

Having said that, my personal opinion is that registration online is ok, but incomplete - just as registration with hard copy publication without online presence is incomplete. I am also of the opinion one should register at a minimum with someone of some heraldic knowledge. I also believe in registration within your country of origin if the service can be found. Just wandering through assumearms.com gives one the impression that not only does the site owner know little of heraldry - the armigers (generally) do not. Within the US we have a number of decent registries - however, they are either online or hard copy - not both. So, grabbed the free one and looked internationally...

[andrewkerensky]

Post removed.

[Kathy McClurg]

Yes, Assumearms is free... so is the USHR... Assumearms obviously knows little of heraldry in general and, frankly, I'd not want my arms displayed there... on the other hand... USHR is knowledgeable has some standards which are consistent with US heraldry practices.. and is free as well... <shrug>

Unfortunately they do not publish in hard copy... which is why I went to a second service.. which does cost, but when Volume II is published it will be in libraries and personal homes and have an ISBN number... And I can buy a copy... I like that and was willing to pay for it..

[JMcMillan]

The Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical Society is in the process of putting its register online, which will be a great historical resource, but it doesn't publish newly assumed arms in any form, merely records them in its archives. I know there is at least one member of the committee who would like to go beyond this, but thus far the committee is limited by its mandate from the society as a whole. At this point, only arms of foreign origin that were brought to the U.S. before 1917 can be registered and published in the NEHGS "Roll of Arms."