From 1682 to 1692, the "Lord Mayor's Waiting Books", the source of this work, were used to record the names of indentured servants or private citizens traveling on passes from England to America. These records give, where appropriate, the person's place of residence in England, age, date of indenture, length of service, name of master, destination in the colonies, and, for an under-age servant, the name of a witness (usually a relative).