TheGenealogist adds British Railways Regional Magazines

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist adds British Railways Regional Magazines to its Newspaper Collection 

Newly released staff magazines reveal railway workers, retirements, obituaries, sporting life and staff outings   

TheGenealogist has added a fascinating new set of British Railways regional magazines to its growing newspaper and periodical collection, giving family historians a rich new source for tracing railway ancestors and exploring everyday working life on Britain’s railways.

The latest release includes more than 60 issues from British Railways regional magazines, covering the Eastern, North Eastern, Scottish, Southern, Western and London Midland regions. The titles span the late 1940s through to the early 1960s, a period of major change for Britain’s rail network following nationalisation.

These publications were produced for railway staff and are rich in the small but important details that can help researchers place an ancestor within their working community. They include staff changes, appointments, transfers, promotions, retirements, long-service presentations, workplace presentations, obituaries, sporting reports, staff outings, social club news, photographs, departmental updates and stories from depots, stations and offices across the regions.

For family historians, this type of material can be especially valuable. A railway worker may appear in a retirement notice after many years of service, in a presentation report marking a move or promotion, in an obituary written by colleagues, or in a report of a cricket, football, bowls or athletics match. Others may be named in accounts of staff excursions, railway institute events, dances, charity activities or local workplace news. These mentions can add personal colour and context that may not be found in other more commonly used records such as census.

Among the highlights are early post-nationalisation issues from 1948 and 1949, Scottish Region magazines from the 1950s, Western Region editions from the late 1940s, and the Southern Region’s June 1953 Coronation Number, reflecting the national mood around the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The magazines also help researchers understand the world in which railway ancestors lived and worked. They show the pride, humour, challenges and close-knit nature of railway employment, from major regional announcements to small local stories about staff clubs, outings, charity efforts and long-service awards.

Mark Bayley, Head of Content at TheGenealogist, said: 

“Railway records are always popular with family historians, and these British Railways magazines add colour and context to the lives of those who worked on the railways. The staff news, retirement notices, obituaries, sports reports and social items can all help to bring a railway ancestor’s story to life. They are not just about trains and timetables. They are about people, workplaces, communities and the everyday stories of post-war Britain.”

This new release strengthens TheGenealogist’s newspaper and periodical collection and adds further depth for those researching occupational history, local history and transport heritage.

The British Railways regional magazines are available to search now on TheGenealogist.

In this release is an article about the early days of the rail: Shildon, Birthplace of the Railways. From notes by a driver of Locomotion No. I (reproduced from the British Railways Magazine Eastern, North Eastern, Scottish Regions, November 1948). 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist makes parish records accessible via its MapExplorer tool

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist Brings Parish Records to Life with Church Pins, Historic Images and Surname Heatmaps

TheGenealogist has transformed the way family historians explore parish records, now pinning baptisms, marriages and burials directly onto its MapExplorer tool. This powerful update allows users to pinpoint the exact location of over 6,000 churches where their ancestors’ key life events took place, even when those buildings have long since disappeared.

For the first time, researchers can move beyond names and dates to uncover the precise locations behind the records, tracing ancestors to specific churches, chapels and parishes across the landscape. Whether standing, rebuilt or lost to time, these places can now be rediscovered through an intuitive, map-based experience.

Adding a rich new visual layer, TheGenealogist has also boosted its Image Archive with the addition of over 3,000 historic church photographs and paintings. Where available, parish records pinned on MapExplorer™ have been linked to the Image Archive, revealing what the church looked like and offering a rare opportunity to see the setting of an ancestor’s baptism, marriage or burial.

The update also introduces the ability to map search results, giving researchers a powerful new way to explore patterns in their family history. Users can visualise results as a heatmap, revealing concentrations of records across towns, villages and regions, before zooming in to explore individual entries in detail.

This is particularly valuable for surname studies and research before the census era. What may appear as scattered results in a list can quickly form clear geographical clusters when mapped, helping to uncover migration patterns, family groups and hidden connections that might otherwise go unnoticed Parish records remain one of the most important sources for tracing generations before civil registration began in England and Wales in 1837. By anchoring these records to real-world locations and enabling them to be explored visually, TheGenealogist is helping researchers build a deeper, more meaningful connection to their past.

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said: “Family history is about more than just names on a page. With this update, you can discover exactly where your ancestors’ life events took place and, in many cases, even see the church itself. Combined with the ability to map your results and spot patterns across places and surnames, it opens up entirely new ways to understand your family’s story.”

MapExplorer™ already allows users to view historical maps alongside modern mapping, helping them locate streets, villages, farms, churches and other places linked to their family tree. The addition of parish record pins, historic church imagery and mapped search results makes the tool even more powerful for uncovering the stories behind the records. 

The new parish record mapping feature, heatmap visualisation and enhanced image archive are available now to TheGenealogist’s Diamond subscribers. Within these newly pinned records is the baptism of the Victorian heroine Grace Darling. Read her story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2026/amazing-grace-8995/ 

Comment: There is some Scottish content on this layer, but it predominantly covers England and Wales.

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist extends its English and Welsh National Probate Calendar coverage

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

Over 2.5 million names added to TheGenealogist’s National Probate Calendar

TheGenealogist today announced a major expansion of its fully searchable National Probate Calendar with the release of the years 1880 to 1899, extending this essential source for uncovering ancestors’ details, family relationships, and social history across late Victorian Britain.

As with earlier releases, TheGenealogist has transcribed every field within each entry, allowing researchers to search far beyond a name alone. Users can pinpoint the right person by filtering on spouse, occupation, place of death, residence, executor details and more, making it far easier to distinguish between people who share the same name, or where spellings vary between records.

This new addition comprises 1,097,915 searchable probate records and names 2,596,550 individuals. Alongside the deceased, the index captures executors and other named parties, which can reveal close relatives, married daughters under a new surname, in-laws, business partners, employers, employees and trusted friends who might otherwise be missed.

Probate Records frequently include an address, occupation or status, the date of death, the court where probate was granted and the value of the estate, to which TheGenealogist has added the value in today’s terms. For family historians, these details can unlock new leads, confirm identities and provide a clearer picture of an ancestor’s circumstances at the end of their life.

TheGenealogist’s Head of Content, Mark Bayley, commented: "Many researchers overlook probate records, but they can shed light on the details other records miss, often naming the people who mattered most in someone’s life. By transcribing every field, our keyword search helps you jump directly to the record you’re after, and often to a new branch of the family."

Among the individuals found within these newly released records is William Morris, one of the most notable designers of the Victorian era. Researchers can explore his entry in the probate records and learn more about his life and legacy in this accompanying article: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2026/william-morris-8935/ 

To explore the new National Probate Records collection, visit TheGenealogist.co.uk/wills. 

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist adds Large Scale 25-inch Historic OS Maps and LiDAR to its MapExplorer tool

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist adds Large Scale 25-inch Historic OS Maps and LiDAR to MapExplorerTM

TheGenealogist has enhanced its MapExplorerTM historic map overlay with the addition of large-scale 25-inch-to-the-mile 1890-1914 Ordnance Survey (OS) maps, alongside a brand-new LiDAR mapping layer, giving family historians sharper ways to pinpoint where ancestors lived and understand the landscapes that shaped their lives.

The 25-inch OS maps are among the most detailed historic maps available for genealogy, showing features often missing from smaller-scale mapping: individual building footprints, property boundaries, yards, alleys, small lanes, wells, schools, chapels, mills, sidings, and other local landmarks. When used in MapExplorer’s overlay view, researchers can compare these fine-grain historic details against other map layers and modern geography to locate ancestral homes and communities with far greater accuracy.

Additionally, the newly released LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) maps bring another dimension to local history research. LiDAR reveals the shape of the ground beneath vegetation and modern land use, helping users spot historic earthworks, trackways, field systems, quarries, embankments, cuttings, and other “hidden” features, particularly valuable for rural research, lost buildings, and places where the visible landscape has changed.

“By adding 25-inch OS maps and LiDAR layers to MapExplorer, we’re giving researchers new ways to connect records to real places, right down to individual buildings and the landscape around them,” said Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist. 

The 25-inch-to-the-mile OS map layer and LiDAR maps are available now within MapExplorerTM at TheGenealogist.

Read about these new additions and how they can help reveal the landscape your ancestors knew here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2026/lines-across-the-landscape-8934/.

** I asked what the coverage was, and the new additions cover the whole of Britain; it is hoped Ireland will be added in the future.

(With thanks to Paul Bayley) 

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist updates 1939 English and Welsh 1939 Register database

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk), an update to the 1939 Register, which might be of interest if your Scottish or Irish ancestors were south of the border at the time: 

TheGenealogist has today announced a significant update to its 1939 Register collection, adding 185,396 individuals from newly opened records. Most of these additions relate to people born in 1924 and 1925, further strengthening one of the most important resources for tracing families in 20th-century Britain.

Created at the outbreak of the Second World War, the 1939 Register provides a vital snapshot of the civilian population, capturing names, dates of birth, occupations and addresses at a key moment in modern history. For many researchers, it helps bridge the gap between earlier census returns and later post-war records, offering new routes to confirm identities, locate relatives, and place families in a precise time and place.

The update will be of interest not only to family historians but also to social historians and those looking to better understand the everyday lives and circumstances of well-known figures and the communities in which they lived. 

Born in 1925 and found in the 1939 Register is Ernie Wise, one half of the iconic comedy partnership Morecambe and Wise. Read the related article exploring Morecambe and Wise here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2026/eric-morecambe--ernie-wise-8866/ 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley) 

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist releases Fully Searchable National Probate Calendar 1858-1879 for England and Wales

TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk) is releasing its own version of the English and Welsh National Probate Calendar, with the first fully searchable trance covering the period from 1858-1879. Although dealing with English and Welsh probate records, Scottish and Irish folk often appear in the records also, whether because they lived in England or Wales when they died, or if records were resealed between jurisdictions of the UK, if assets existed in more than one country. 

The following is the press release.

TheGenealogist launches National Probate Calendar, covering 1858 to 1879

TheGenealogist today announced the release of their new Fully Searchable National Probate Calendar for 1858 to 1879, giving access to one of the most useful sources for discovering family connections and personal stories from the Victorian era.

TheGenealogist has transcribed every field within these records. This unique feature allows researchers to search not just by name, but also by spouse, occupation, place of death or residence, and executor details, offering new ways to identify ancestors even when a name is common or the spelling is uncertain.

At launch, the collection comprises  849,412 searchable probate records and names 2,021,928 individuals. This includes not only the deceased but also the executors, often revealing close relatives, in-laws, business partners, or trusted friends that other sources miss.

Probate material from this period can reveal far more than a name and a date. Entries frequently include details such as the deceased’s address, occupation or status, the date of death, the court where probate was granted, the value of the estate (to which TheGenealogist has added the value in today's terms).

TheGenealogist’s Head of Content, Mark Bayley, commented: 

"Anyone who has tried to find an ancestor with a common surname knows the frustration of sifting through hundreds of identical names. That’s why we have transcribed the full entry for each person. Researchers can now instantly filter by trade or town and more, turning a 'needle in a haystack' search into an instant discovery."

The National Probate Calendar (1858–1879) records are available now to Diamond subscribers at TheGenealogist. The company plans to release subsequent years in the coming months. 

Featured Article: Read the story of Stephens Lyne-Stephens, ‘the richest commoner in England’, found in these records: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/fortune-scandal-and-legacy-8822/

(With thanks to Paul Bayley via email)

Chris

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist releases 1 million First World War casualty records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk): 

TheGenealogist marks Remembrance Sunday with the release of over 1 million WWI Casualty Records

To commemorate Remembrance Sunday, TheGenealogist has released 1,090,293 new Casualty List Records from The First World War, covering the period 8th April 1918 to 4th March 1919, completing their coverage of the War Office Casualty Lists. This significant addition helps researchers and families trace those who were killed, wounded, reported missing, or taken prisoner in the later part of the First World War.

TheGenealogist's Head of Content, Mark Bayley, commented: “On Remembrance Sunday, as we honour the fallen, it’s also a time to think of those who returned with wounds both seen and unseen. This release enables researchers to follow relatives throughout the conflict, right up to its end and trace the impact it had on them and their families.”

This release includes:

●    Comprehensive coverage: 1,090,293 records spanning 8th April 1918 to 4th March 1919.
●    Searchable detail: Name, rank, regiment/unit, and (where recorded) service number, place, and nature of casualty, such as killed, wounded, missing, prisoner of war, and died of wounds.
●    Derived from the official War Office Weekly Casualty Lists published at the time, with later corrections where available.
●    This completes the collection of War Office Weekly Casualty lists and brings the total Casualty List records on TheGenealogist to over 4.5 million

The new records are available now to Diamond subscribers at TheGenealogist.co.uk.

These newly added records include a number of notable names, among them the author C. S. Lewis. Read more about his wartime experience here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/cs-lewis-8787/

(With thanks to Paul Bayley from TheGenealogist)

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist adds Burke's Landed Gentry 1871

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist adds 1871 Burke’s Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland to its online collections

TheGenealogist is pleased to announce the release of the 1871 Burke’s Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland, now fully searchable online.

This important reference work contains hundreds of thousands of names linked to the principal landed families of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, often tracing lines back several centuries. Researchers will find detailed pedigrees, family connections, heraldic information and references to estates, a rich resource for anyone with roots in the British and Irish gentry.

Adding these records further strengthens TheGenealogist’s growing collection of classic genealogical reference books, giving family historians more ways to bridge gaps in the civil and parish records.

TheGenealogist's Head of Content, Mark Bayley, commented: “Burke’s is one of those cornerstone sources that helps you understand not just who your ancestors were, but how they were connected. Making this available online and searchable will save researchers hours of work.” 

The new records are available now to Diamond subscribers at TheGenealogist.co.uk.

The Family of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, the master of gothic suspense and author of Carmilla, the story of a mysterious female vampire that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, can be found in these records - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/ghosts-in-the-family-tree-8783/ 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist adds 900,000 Catholic parish records for County Waterford

A big Irish records release from TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk) this weekend:

TheGenealogist adds over 900,000 individuals to its Irish Parish Record Collection

TheGenealogist is delighted to announce the release of an exciting new collection of Irish parish records from Waterford, Ireland. These newly transcribed records offer researchers a fresh opportunity to explore their Irish roots and uncover family connections in one of the country's most historically significant counties.

Among the records is Thomas Francis Meagher, a leading voice in the Young Ireland movement and later a Union General in the American Civil War. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was a successful merchant and the former Mayor of Waterford, remembered for his influence and standing in the early 19th century.

TheGenealogist's Head of Content, Mark Bayley, commented: “We are thrilled to add these parish records to our growing Irish collections. Waterford is the home of Ireland’s oldest city and is the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher. These records offer family historians an opportunity to connect their past to a truly historic part of Ireland.”

The release is part of TheGenealogist’s continuing commitment to make Irish records more accessible for family historians around the world. Whether you're tracing ordinary ancestors or uncovering links to Ireland's revolutionary past, these records offer an invaluable resource.

These records are now available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, adding to its comprehensive collection of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials.

Thomas Francis Meagher can be found in this release - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/thomas-francis-meagher-8629/ 

NB: I have carried out a couple of test searches for members of my wife's family from Carrickbeg. The records are actually hosted on the National Library of Ireland's Catholic Registers platform at https://registers.nli.ie, but these are not indexed; TheGenealogist has usefully produced brief transcriptions of each record, and a link to the relevant page for each record on the NLI site (click to enlarge images). 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley) 

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist adds Scottish confirmation and English probate records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist has just added a substantial new release to its growing collection of historical records, making over 330,000 names available from a variety of wills and probate sources across England and Scotland. These valuable records are great for historians trying to push their tree back, with records spanning 500 years from the 14th century up to the 19th century. They provide a remarkable glimpse into the lives, legacies, and legal affairs of past generations.

Among the notable figures in this collection is George Buchanan (1506–1582), the Scottish historian, humanist scholar, and tutor to King James VI. His testament appears in the Commissariot Record of Edinburgh (1514–1600), offering researchers a direct connection to one of the great minds of the Scottish Renaissance.

Read more about George Buchanan’s fascinating life in our latest article, “The Scholar Who Tutored a King and Defied a Queen”: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/george-buchanan-8698/

The new collections now available to search on TheGenealogist include:

• Archdeaconry of Cornwall Wills and Administrations 1569-1699
• A Calendar of Wills, Gloucestershire 1541-1650
• Calendars of Lincoln Wills 1320-1600 (covering Lincoln, Leicester, Rutland, Northampton, Huntingdon, Bedford, Buckingham, Hertford, and Oxford)
• Wills and Administrations Preserved in the District Probate Court of Lewes 1541-1652 (covering East Sussex)
• Dougal's Index Register to Next of Kin, Heirs at Law, and Cases of Unclaimed Money
• Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments, 1514-1600
• Commissariot of Inverness, Hamilton & Campsie Testaments, 1630-1800

These records are fully searchable and form part of TheGenealogist’s ongoing effort to bring hard-to-access historical documents into the hands of family historians, academic researchers, and local history enthusiasts.

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said:

"These records span centuries of history, from the 1300s through to the early modern era. Whether you're uncovering humble tradespeople or historical figures like George Buchanan, this collection can help you push your tree back before the time of parish records."

Available now to all Standard and Diamond subscribers, these wills and probate collections are part of TheGenealogist’s commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of the past through original records, expertly indexed and easily searchable online.

(With thanks to Paul Bayley at TheGenealogist)

Chris

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available - Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist Releases International Bomber Command Centre death records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist Releases 67,000 Death Records from the International Bomber Command Centre

TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC): Losses Database on its website. This significant collection honours the men and women who served and died while supporting Bomber Command operations.

The IBCC Losses Database includes detailed records of over 67,000 Bomber Command casualties, capturing personal details, aircraft information, missions, and circumstances of death. This fully searchable resource allows family historians, researchers, and aviation enthusiasts to access an unparalleled level of detail about those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

The records link on to the IBCC database, compiled from over 6.2 Million pieces of data, giving an incredible amount of information for each individual, often including a photo.

● 67,140 Records

● Covers 1936 to 1968

● Gives over 100,000 names of Parents, Spouses, Siblings and Children

● SmartSearch links to our AIR 27 Operations Record Books (ORBs), which can provide details of the fateful mission where the crew member lost their life

Among the notable entries in the database is Percy Charles Pickard, the legendary RAF officer known for leading the daring Amiens prison raid in 1944. His inclusion in the records offers a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that marked the RAF’s wartime efforts. You can read his remarkable story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/target-for-tonight-8696/

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said:

"This is a moving record collection that sheds light on those who served in one of the most dangerous roles of the Second World War. We’re making this release free to everyone as a tribute to the Bomber Command staff and crew who paid the ultimate price."

The IBCC Losses Database is now available for free for all registered users. Sign up for your free account at https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/account/signup/

(With thanks to TheGenealogist)

Chris  

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available - Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

TheGenealogist adds 100,000 names to its Occupational Records collection

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist Launches New Collection of Over 100,000 Occupational Records

Discover the Working Lives of Scientists, Engineers and Apprentices through Rare Historical Documents

TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of over 100,000 new names in its expanding collection of occupational records. This new addition includes a rich series of publications that offer a unique glimpse into the careers and associations of individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries, many of whom played key roles in Britain’s scientific and industrial history.

These records are drawn from a series of publications, most notably the reports and member lists of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. With reports ranging from the early 1800s to the late 1920s, researchers can now explore a wide array of academic and scientific figures from conferences held in cities including Hull, Edinburgh, Plymouth, Bristol, Dundee, and even Toronto.

In addition to these scientific records, this release features engineering and apprenticeship documents, including:

●    Register of Past Apprentices, Pupils and Students of Petters Ltd, Yeovil, 1938 – A fascinating directory of those involved with this well-known engineering firm.
●    The Junior Institution of Engineers, List of Members, 8th May 1950 – Providing details of early-career engineers across the UK.
●    The British Engineers' Association Official Directory of Members, 1917 – Highlighting professionals active during a crucial time in wartime engineering.
●    And many more!
 
These resources are invaluable to family historians and researchers alike, offering insights into the professional lives of ancestors who may have worked in the fields of science, industry and engineering. Whether your ancestor presented a paper, attended meetings, or trained as an apprentice at a major engineering firm in the 1930s, this collection could provide the key to uncovering their career history.

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content, said:

"We’re pleased to add these fascinating science and engineering records to the growing collection of occupational resources available on TheGenealogist. From teachers to tradesmen, clergy to councillors, and now solicitors to scientists, our occupational records span an incredible range of professions and public service roles. This latest release, rich with detail from scientific societies and engineering institutions, gives researchers even more ways to uncover the working lives of their ancestors."

These records are now available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, adding to its comprehensive collection of occupational records.

This new occupational records release includes: British Association for the Advancement of Science, List of Members 1838; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Plymouth, 1877; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Edinburgh, 1892; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Nottingham, 1893; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Toronto, 1897; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Bristol, 1898; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Southport, 1903; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Cambridge, 1904; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dundee, 1912; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Manchester, 1915; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Newcastle-On-Tyne, 1916; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1917; The British Engineers’ Association Official Directory of Members, 1917; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of 87th Meeting, 1919; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 90th Meeting, Hull 1922; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 93rd Meeting, 1925; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of 94th Meeting, 1926; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 96th Meeting, Glasgow, 1928; Register of Past Apprentices, Pupils and Students of Petters Ltd, Yeovil, 1938; The Junior Institution of Engineers, List of Members, 8th May 1950; Early New Zealand Engineers 

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist adds directories from 1935-1940

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist Expands Historical Records with Major Directory Release

Leading family history website TheGenealogist has announced the release of 39 comprehensive directories spanning 1935-1940, covering over 6 million individuals and businesses. This significant addition provides family historians and researchers with access to information about individuals and companies in the run up and early days of World War II.

The newly digitised collection includes:

●    Over 6 million individuals and businesses
●    39 detailed directories covering various regions
●    Searchable information about residences and commercial establishments

"This release represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive historical records to genealogists and family historians," says Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist. "These directories offer a unique glimpse into the lives of people and businesses operating during the outbreak of the Second World War, providing invaluable context for family researchers."

Users can access these new records through TheGenealogist's advanced search system, which allows for both broad and detailed searches across the entire collection.

In these records is Agatha Christie, Queen of Mystery - read her story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/agatha-christie-7954/

The Directories covered in this release include the Edinburgh & Leith 1939-1940 Post Office Directory and the Ireland 1935 Thom’s Directory.

Also includes are the following editions from England (and one from Paris):

Bedfordshire, Huntingtonshire & Northamptonshire, 1940 Kelly’s Directory; Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 1935 Kelly’s Directory; Bristol & Suburbs, 1937 Kelly’s Directory; Buckinghamshire 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Cambridge 1937 Kelly’s Trade Directory; Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay & C 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Croydon 1939 Ward’s Directory; Cumberland & Westmorland, 1938 Kelly’s Directory; Cumberland, Westmorland and North Lancashire, July 1940 Telephone Directory; Devon 1935 Kelly’s Directory; Devon and Cornwall 1935 Kelly’s Directory; Devonshire & Cornwall, 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Dorsetshire, 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Essex 1937 Kelly’s Directory; Essex, East Suffolk & East Herts 1939 Telephone Directory ; Gloucestershire 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, 1940 Directory and Almanack; Hampshire & The Isle of Wight, 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Hants & Isle of Wight 1935 Kelly’s Directory; Huntingdonshire 1940 Kelly’s Directory; Lincolnshire 1937 Kelly’s Directory; Liverpool & South West Lancashire, December 1939 Classified Telephone Directory, ; London 1936 Kelly’s Post Office Commericial Directory; London 1937 Post Office Directory; London 1938 Post Office Directory; Paris 1935 Directory; Rutland, 1936 Kelly’s Directory; Somerset 1935 Kelly’s Directory; Somerset 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth Districts March 1940 Telephone Directory; Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, 1940 Kelly’s Directory of ; Sunderland, Newcastle and Gateshead 1937 Ward’s Directory; Watford 1937 Kelly’s Directory; Wembley, Alperton, Sudbury and Kingsbury, 1937 Kelly’s Directory; Weston Super Mare Directory 1935; Wiltshire 1939 Kelly’s Directory; Worcester 1937 Kelly’s Directory. 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist releases new military records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk): 

New Release of Military Records Celebrating Our Armed Forces
Search over half a million names

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of a collection of military records spanning over half a million names. This collection provides invaluable insights into the service and sacrifices of members of the British Armed Forces and colonial forces throughout history.

"This collection offers a glimpse into the service and sacrifices of our military and naval personnel throughout history," said Mark Bayley of TheGenealogist. "As we approach Remembrance Sunday, we are honoured to provide researchers and historians access to these invaluable resources, which contain the names of over half a million individuals who served their countries with courage and distinction."

The newly released records include:

●    Naval and Military Despatches Vol. IV-VI (1915 - 1916)
●    The British Roll of Honour 1837-1887
●    Return of The Names of The Officers in The Army 1811-1816
●    Surrey Musters, Part I-III 1544-1684
●    The Army List for 1881
●    The Army List for September 1933
●    The East-India Register and Directory, 1811
●    The East-India Register and Army List, 1842
●    The Last Post, Roll of Officers (Naval, Military or Colonial) who fell in South Africa 1899-1902 (also includes War Correspondents and Nurses who lost their lives)
●    The Muster-Roll of Angus, South African War, 1899-1902 (with 700 portraits)
●    A List of the Flag Officers and Other Commissioned Officers of His Majesty's Fleet, 1826
●    List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps, 1775-1900
●    Naval Worthies of Queen Elizabeth's Reign 1562-1643
●    Navy - Pensions, Compensations, and Allowances
●    The Royal Navy List for 1901
●    The Navy List for 1902
●    The Navy List for April 1915
●    The Navy List for April 1932
●    The Navy List for July 1915
●    The Navy List for January 1929
●    Arbroath & District Roll of Honour 1939-1945

The release of these records coincides with Remembrance Sunday, a solemn occasion when we pay tribute to the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

TheGenealogist's comprehensive military records collection allows individuals to delve into their family histories and honour the legacy of their ancestors who served.

One of the many interesting characters in these new records is Norman Douglas Holbrook, a remarkable submariner with extraordinary courage, skill, and determination - read his story here: https://thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2024/how-a-wwi-submarine-raid-birthed-a-hero-and-a-town-half-a-world-away-7864/

Explore the parish records and start your genealogical journey today with TheGenealogist. To celebrate this release, for a limited time you can claim a Diamond Subscription for the price of a Gold subscription at just £98.95 along with a FREE online magazine - a saving of over £64. You can claim this offer here: https://thegenealogist.co.uk/MGBMIL1124

This offer expires 14th February 2025.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist completes project to link census entries to maps

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk): 

TheGenealogist Unveils 1841 Census on its Innovative Map Explorer
Discover over 18.4 million individuals on historical maps

Leading genealogy research website TheGenealogist has announced the integration of the 1841 census into its cutting-edge MapExplorerTM tool. This significant addition allows family historians and researchers to delve deeper into their ancestral past with unprecedented geographical context.

Key Highlights:
●    The 1841 census, the first modern census of England, Scotland and Wales, is now on TheGenealogist's MapExplorer.
●    Locate your ancestors to the parish, street or even house they lived in
●    Over 18.4 million individuals are recorded in the 1841 census and you can now explore their neighbourhoods
●    Users can visualise their ancestors' locations on historical maps, providing a unique perspective on family history

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist, stated, "We're proud to announce the completion of our project to "map the census". Never before could you pin down your ancestors through each year, from 1841 all the way to the 1939 register. This visual approach to genealogy brings the past to life in ways never before possible."

Found in these records is Surgeon Nurse Eliza Roberts, the forgotten hero of the Crimea, read her story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2024/eliza-roberts-a-forgotten-pioneer-in-nursing-7666/

To celebrate this release, for a limited time you can claim a Diamond Subscription for just £99.45, a saving of £40. You can claim this offer here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/MGBCEN924

Offer expires 30th December 2024.

Comment: The Scottish component of the MapExplorer tool is for the 1841-1901 censuses. The Scottish 1911-1921 censuses are only available on ScotlandsPeople, whilst the 1939 National Identity Register for Scotland is only available from the NRS.

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist adds Scottish deeds and sasine indexes

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist expands its Landowner Records Collection with the release of Essential Historical Records

TheGenealogist is excited to announce the release of nearly 300,000 historic landowner records. The new additions consist of Feet of Fines, Index of Sasines, and the Scotland Record Office Index to Register of Deeds, offering a wealth of information for those delving into their ancestry.

Feet of Fines: These documents provide insights into land transactions, usually involving the transfer of property rights, and were commonly used in English legal proceedings from the 13th century onwards. The Feet of Fines contains detailed information about the parties involved in the transactions, property descriptions, and the dates of agreements, serving as a vital resource for researchers tracing their family land ownership or exploring the economic history of a region.

Index of Sasines: The release of the Index of Sasines marks a significant addition to TheGenealogist's Scottish records. Sasines are legal documents that confirm the possession of land and property, reflecting the transfer of ownership in Scotland from the 16th century onwards. This index allows users to quickly locate and access critical details surrounding property ownership, making it an essential tool for genealogists looking to understand their ancestral ties to land in Scotland.

Scotland Record Office Index to Register of Deeds: This comprehensive index opens the door to a vast array of legal documents relating to property and inheritance in Scotland. By providing easy access to this substantial resource, TheGenealogist allows users to uncover their family histories and gain a deeper understanding of the social and legal contexts in which their ancestors lived.

These new records are now available on TheGenealogist, providing an unparalleled opportunity for researchers to deepen their exploration of family histories and connect with their pasts.

In this release are: Berwick, Index to Register of Sasines Volume I. A-H 1617-1780; London and Middlesex, A Calendar to the Feet of Fines 1179 - 1485; Yorkshire Feet of Fines 1327-1614; Huntingdon Calendar of the Feet of Fines 1194-1603; Scotland, Index to Particular Register of Sasines for Sheriffdom of Dumfries and Stewaertries of Kirkcudbright and Annandale 1617 - 1732;

Scotland Record Office, Index to Register of Deeds, 1661 - 1679

Read the feature article ‘The Scottish Rebel Who Defied the Crown: Andrew Fletcher's Fight for Independence’ at TheGenealogist here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2024/the-scottish-rebel-who-defied-the-crown-7584/  

(With thanks to Paul Bayley)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist adds more First World War records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk)

TheGenealogist Commemorates 110 Years Since the Start of WWI with the Release of First World War Records

To mark the 110th anniversary of the start of World War I, TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of an extensive collection of military records featuring the global conflict. This significant release includes service records, rolls of honour, and books of remembrance from schools, places, and institutions, providing invaluable insights into the lives of those who served and sacrificed during the Great War.

The newly released records offer a look at over 25,000 individuals, giving details such as the service histories of soldiers, portraits, details of their schooling, and family connections, including poignant details of those killed or wounded in action. These records not only commemorate the bravery and dedication of those who served but also provide a rich resource for researchers and family historians.

Included in this release are the following notable compilations:

●    Birmingham, Service Record of King Edward School 1914-1919
●    Whitgift Grammar School, The Book of Remembrance 1914-1919
●    Memorials of Rugbeians Who Fell in the Great War, Volumes II, III, V, VI
●    A Book of Remembrance of Old Boys and Masters of Watford Grammar School who Served in the Great War, 1914-1918
●    Shrewsbury School, Roll of Service, 1914-1918
●    Portsmouth and the Great War
●    Swindon's War Record 1914-1918
●    The Clan MacRae Roll in the Great War - Unveiling of Memorial Supplement
●    7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Officers and Men Who Fell During the Great War
●    London County Council Record of Service in the Great War, 1914-1918
●    Phoenix Assurance Company, Ltd. - War Service List, 1914-1919

Also included in the release are two publications that give more context to the conflict, with stories and illustrations of the individual battles and notable heroic deeds:

●    Children's Story of the War
●    Deeds that Thrill the Empire

Mark Bayley, Head of Content at TheGenealogist, commented: “This release not only preserves the memories of the men and women who feature in these records, it also provides a window into the past for future generations. This adds to our extensive WW1 collections, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the personal histories and sacrifices of those who experienced the Great War.”

Researchers and family historians can access these records online at TheGenealogist's website, where they can explore detailed entries, including the years individuals attended school, information on family members, and personal stories of bravery and loss.

Read the feature article ‘Harold Ackroyd: MD to VC’ at TheGenealogist here:
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2024/harold-ackroyd-md-to-vc-7556/ 

(With thanks to Paul Bayley) 

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist adds 1930s trade directories for England and the Channel Islands

I normally don't run English-only themed stories on this blog (not its remit!), but this could be a useful census substitute for those with familes who moved south and were there after the 1921 census.

TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk) has added the following searchable directories for the following areas in England from the 1930s and the Channel Islands (bear in mind that unlike Scotland, England's 1931 census has not survived):  

●    Kelly's Directory of Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, 1931
●    Kelly's Directory of Bournemouth, Poole, Parkstone, Christchurch &c., 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Brighton and Hove, 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Cambridgeshire, 1933
●    Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Devonshire and Cornwall, 1930
●    Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 1931
●    Kelly's Directory of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 1931
●    Kelly's Directory of Hertfordshire, 1933
●    Kelly's Directory of Ipswich and Neighbourhood, 1930
●    Kelly's Directory of Kent, 1930
●    Kelly's Directory of Kent, 1934
●    Kelly's Directory of Kilburn Willesden, 1933
●    Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland, 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Norfolk and Suffolk, 1933
●    Kelly's Directory of Putney & Roehampton, 1930
●    Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire, Gloucestershire & the City of Bristol, 1931
●    Kelly's Directory of Suffolk, 1933
●    Kelly's Directory of Sussex, Chichester, Selsey and Neighbourhood, 1934
●    Kelly's Directory of the Channel Islands, 1931
●    Kelly's Directory of Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-On-Avon and Kenilworth, 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Warwickshire, 1932
●    Kelly's Directory of Westmorland, 1934

The directories are searchable in the site's Residential and Trade Directories Collection

(With thanks to Paul at TheGenealogist)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

TheGenealogist adds 1600s-1800s obituaries collection

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk), a new obituaries collection which includes entries from Scotland and Ireland, as well as the rest of Britain:

Obituaries from the 1600s to the 1800s are now searchable online
Find the vital details of your ancestors from the Stuart Era to the Victorian Era, recorded at the time of their deaths

TheGenealogist has added obituary records from the Index Society, Musgrave’s Obituaries and the Society of Friends to its record collection, with obituaries dating back to the 1600s.

Family Historians can now access a set of intriguing records covering three important publications from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Firstly, the Index Society’s Obituary Notices for 1880, 1881, and 1882 include obituaries for many industry journals and periodicals, such as The Lancet and The Law Journal, along with local and national newspapers like The Hertfordshire Mercury, The Guardian, and The Times.

Also included in this release is Musgrave’s Obituaries, with records as early as the 1400s but mainly covering 1600 to the 1800s. This publication is named after Sir William Musgrave who had originally assembled the slips or extracts taken from various works, such as The London Magazine and The Gentleman’s Magazine. These had been neatly written up before being pasted into books in alphabetical order. These manuscripts were then published by The Harleian Society and it is these printed versions that are now digitised on TheGenealogist.

Additionally, several Society of Friends records from the 1880s are included. These Quaker records, known as the Annual Monitor or Obituary of the Members of the Society of Friends, are for the years 1880, 1882 and 1885. Apart from many names and dates, these book records also include some expanded “memoirs” recounting anecdotes about various members and their families.

The value of these newly released obituaries to researchers lies in the information they provide. The entries give the dates not only of the individuals' deaths but also their birth dates or ages and often other useful observations such as occupation details and other family members.

Obituaries often cite their sources, for example providing a newspaper page, edition, etc., which can be very helpful for the family historian in conducting further research into ancestors.

TheGenealogist has added over 20,000 individuals to its record collection with these newly released obituaries dating back to the 1600s.

Read TheGenealogist’s feature article: Dead but not Forgotten
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2024/dead-but-not-forgotten-7506/ 

COMMENT: You will find the Obituaries section under the Births, Marriages and Deaths category.

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

RootsMagic 10 now on sale

I've just received an email from TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk) advising that a new version of popular family tree software programme RootsMagic 10 is now on sale. Here's the description of its new features:

What's New in RootsMagic 10?

DNA Matches - Easily track DNA matches for any person; track DNA test details; view tree relationships and DNA predicted relationships side by side; DNA Kinship lists show all relationships to a start person (both tree relationship and predicted DNA relationship).

Enhanced Searching - Advanced search and criteria group rules now include searching by family line, genetics, individual, or family; Aave (and reuse) full advanced search and criteria groups with new search rules; advanced couple list search lets you search on both husband and wife simultaneously; search on # of shared facts; search on proof for facts (and any fact).

Health History - Track unlimited health conditions (illness, disease, accidents) for each person; customizable Family Health History report shows health conditions for a person and all immediate family members; Health Conditions list shows any group of people who share the same health condition.

Updated Help System - Context sensitive help lets you press F1 to get help on whatever you are doing; help can be accessed either online or local on your computer.

Simplified Group Access - Add, edit, or delete a group directly from the Groups side panel; directly refresh any "saved rules" group directly from the Groups side panel.

New Tools - Globally add a fact to everyone in a group; copy a persons fact to one or more other people; move a persons fact to another person.

Printing and Reports - Family Health History report; DNA Kinship report; Leeds Method report for DNA clustering; Health Conditions list shows any group of people who share the same health condition; Kinship List includes option to filter which people to include (everyone, list, or group).

Ease of Use - Copy a book in Publisher; auickly hide / show the folder list on the Tasks page; more viewable and printable lists in Enhanced Properties; lists of unused records (places, citations, etc) from the Enhanced Properties now allow you to delete; enhanced capabilities when adding a shared fact; Find Everywhere now supports saving or printing results; quickly switch between color code sets from any view. 

For further details visit https://genealogysupplies.com/rootsmagic

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.