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.

PRONI extended opening hours in March

From the Public Record Office in Northern Ireland (PRONI):

We are extending our opening hours on selected dates for the beginning of 2026.

During extended opening on Thursdays, the Search Room and Reading Room will be open until 8pm so that everyone has an opportunity to access our facilities.

We will also be open on selected Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Upcoming Late Thursdays
Thursday 19 March

Upcoming Saturday Openings
Saturday 7 March

PRONI has also confirmed something I mentioned a few months back:

We’re delighted to share that a brand-new PRONI website is on the way! Built with our users and community in mind, the refreshed site will make it easier than ever to explore our collections, discover local history, and keep up with events and workshops. 

For more news on PRONI's events and activities visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni (for now!), and its various social media channels. 

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.

FindmyPast adds records to 1881 UK worldwide army index

FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) has added records to a census substitute for 1881 for those serving in the army overseas. 

British Army, Worldwide Index
There are over 235,000 new additions for the year 1881 to explore.

In total, there are similar indexes for the decennial years from 1841-1881, corresponding woth the decennial censuses, and all drawn from muster rolls of regiments as held at the National Archives in Kew, England. 

For a link, and details of other records released this week for England and Australia, visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/historical-records. 

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.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig - World Gaelic Week 2026

Next week see's the latest Seachdain na Gàidhlig (https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot), also known as World Gaelic Week, in which all things Scottish Gaelic are celebrated by those of us proud of Scotland's oldest continuously used language. 

The theme of the next week will be Cleachd i no caill i - Use it or lose it. The Gaelic language is in a fragile state after centuries of discrimination, although it is finally at the point where the numbers of speakers is finally beginning to rise again, thanks to initiatives such as Gaelic medium education and the efforts of our own governments here in Scotland, run by the SNP, Greens, and Labour/Liberal Democrats at various points since our parliament was reconvened in 1999. That being said, there is still an ongoing decline in usage in the native heartlands of the Western Isles, where it remains in regular community use, so much work has yet to still be done.

There will be various events across the country (and worldwide!) next week where you can find out more about the Gaelic language and ways to learn it, attend concerts, and much more - details can be found in the above website link. Here in East Ayrshire, the East Ayrshire Gaelic Forum (of which I am the secretary) will be holding two events next weekend - a Cafaidh Cabadaich or 'conversation cafe' on Saturday 28th at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock, and on Sunday 1st March a Coisich anns a' Phàirc event, a walk around the park at Dean Castle, Kilmarnock, starting at the car park, where you can meet like minded learners, speakers and enthusiasts. Both events will be run from 1-3, and are free to attend. Our forum is also working on a few other exciting events over the next few months, but more on that in due course!

Cleachd i no caill i - agus bidh fàilte romhaibh uile! Use it or lose it - and you will all be most welcome!

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.

Reopening of Glasgow's People's Palace delayed indefinitely

The People's Palace museum on Glasgow Green (pictured below, courtesy Wikipedia), which has been closed since April 2024, will not be opening anytime soon according to Glasgow Life. The arms length council body, which runs Glasgow's cultural attractions, had initially hoped to re-open it by 2027, but now finds itself in a situation of escalating costs for its revamp.

Quite why the Scottish Government won't contribute to the refurbishment of one of Scotland's most important museums is beyond me - I'm sure if it was in Edinburgh they would be singing a different tune.

You can read more about the story at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy03kxrz70zo and more about the museum itself at https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/peoples-palace.

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.

Scottish Indexes conference on 28 February

The next Scottish Indexes (www.scottishindexes.com) conference takes place on Saturday 28 February, with the following talks confirmed:

• ‘Family History Research at the National Library of Ireland’ by Steven Skeldon
• ‘Researching British Prisoners of War, 1914 –1919 and 1939 –1946’ by Ken Nisbet
• ‘Patients and staff: stories of health and wellbeing’ by Lorna Steele-McGinn
• 'Introducing the Archives and Manuscripts of the National Library of Scotland' by Chris Cassells
• ‘Braking Brick Walls: How local Family History Societies can help’ by Alan Beattie

For further details visit the Scottish Indexes website.

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.

FindmyPast's latest additions

Two new additions to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) this week that may be of interest to those with Scottish connections:

Britain, Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers
These 13,696 new additions cover pre-1832 parishes in England, Scotland and Wales.

Scotland Monumental Inscriptions
We added 2,249 records covering the years 1807 to 2009 to this set this week.

For the relevant links, and details of other collections from England, visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/atlases-monumental-inscriptions

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.

The Ones Who Got Away - Pharos Tutors webinars series in July

From Pharos Tutors (www.pharostutors.com), news of a webinar programme happening this July:

The Ones Who Got Away: 13th - 17th July 2026

We will be exploring this theme in a number of ways, whether it be how to track down those hard to research ancestors and family members, different approaches to methodology, using technology in different ways or demonstration by example through case studies.
 
We are joined by current and past tutors and friends of Pharos to bring you a star studded programme of talks. The list of webinars is as follows:

Mon 13th July

    Dave Annal - Mind the Gaps!
    Debbie Kennett - How DNA uncovered a 100-year-old family secret
    Simon Fowler - My mother and history: a genealogical exploration

Tues 14th July

    Sophie Kay - Negative Space: How Genealogy Gaps Can Help Your Tree Flourish
    Joe Saunders - Social Network Analysis in Historical Research
    Phil Isherwood - Whatever Happened to Aunt Gonda? 

Wed 15th July

    Jonny Perl - Understanding What are the Odds? (WATO+) at DNA Painter
    Karen Cummings - FREE: Who are Pharos Tutors? Courses, Certificates and What to Expect 
    Nathan Dylan Goodwin - Finding Henry (pre-recorded, but with live Q&A)

Thurs 16th July

    Janet Few - Ancestors on the Margins: tracing misfortunate ancestors
    Gill Rossini - Researching LGBTQ Ancestors
    Dai Davies - Remembering Our Ancestors who Died by Suicide

Fri 17th July

    Andrew Redfern - AI as a Research Partner: Strengths, Limits and Sensible Use 
    Kelly Cornwell - Transported to Tasmania: Researching your Convict Ancestors
    Nick Barratt - When Harry Met Dotty

Each webinar will last approximately one hour. Each session will be recorded and made available for one month after the event, so do not worry if you cannot attend live on the day. Webinars are priced at £10 BUT sign up for the full week and save 20%, bringing the total cost down from £140 to only £112 (only £8 per session).

Full details of the programme can be found here: https://www.pharostutors.com/webinars

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.

Tobar an Dualchais website adds interactive map

The Tobar an Dualchais / A Kist o' Riches website has been updated to include an interactive map, that now allows you to target specific areas where your family may have come from to find traditional songs and conversations from times past, in both the Gaelic and Scots languages. 

The site is freely available at https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk. 

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.

Research Guides section updated on National Records of Scotland website

I'm not sure when this happened, it is possible that it happened in late November/early December and I hadn't yet picked up on it,  but the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) has now updated its Research Guides interface on its website, which thankfully means we are no longer redirected to cached copies of the guides in the site's web archive (although the historic guides remain accessible there). The Research Guides page is available at https://nrscotland.gov.uk/learning-and-events/research-guides/ (found under the Records and Archives tab of the main homepage menu).

A quick search on the web archive shows that in 2020 there were 59 guides available, but the new Research Guides section now has 86 guides available, although this is likely because guides that were embedded within other topics now have their own standalone page - for examples, the Census Records page on the old site had individual guides to each census from 1841-1921, but these are now shown as individual guides in their own right on the new guides index. I have checked a small number of guides which suggest that they have not been rewritten, although the guides themselves are stamped as having been updated 28 November 2025, so it is possible there may have been some rewrites on some of them.  

Some guides may have been removed entirely from the guides section and given their own page on the NRS site. The one concrete example I have found concerns the pages dealing with National Registration, and the 1939 National Identity Register, the emergency wartime census carried out in September 1939, just two weeks into the Second World War. This page is no longer found in the Research Guides section, but is instead located on a new dedicated page in the Statistics and Data section of the NRS website, on a new page entitled NHS Central Register, at https://nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/nhs-central-register/#. To access the application form for the 1939 National Identity Register you need to scroll to the bottom of this new page. If anyone has come across other examples of things that may have been relocated, I'd be grateful for details!

It's great to see this finally addressed, the web archive access looked very amateurish beforehand, and it was a nightmare having to use the long URL address to access guides within this. Of course, that does mean that some of us will have to recreate links to the new guides again within presentations and articles, but it at least looks fit for purpose now!

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.