Highland based Free Church records added to FindmyPast

This week's additions to FinfdmyPast (www.findmypast.com):

Scotland, Highland Free Church Birth & Baptism Index
Was your ancestor baptised in Scotland? Search this index of more than 30,000 baptism records from the Free Church of Scotland in Caithness, Cromarty-shire, Inverness-shire, Moray, Ross-shire, and Sutherland.

Britain, Marriage Licences
Findmypast is excited to bring you some of the earliest marriage records we hold with records from as early as 1115. Fifteen English counties are represented including London, Lancashire, Suffolk, Exeter, Lincoln, Yorkshire, and more. Marriage licenses will reveal your ancestor's intended spouse, father's name, and the intended marriage place. The collection consists of a mixture of more than 536,000 handwritten and typed record books from 1115 until 1906 provided by the College of Arms, Anguline Research Archives, and Gould Genealogy.


Leicestershire Registers & Records
Explore the history of Leicestershire with five fascinating publications including histories of the Belvoir Castle and the Belvoir Hunt, Parish Registers of Muston, a Pedigree of Henry Wood – Freeman of Leicester and a historical accounting of horse racing in the county.

The publications in this collection are presented as PDFs. The detail you will find in each one will differ depending on the topic. This collection includes:

History of Belvoir Castle, published 1841
History of The Belvoir Hunt, published 1899
Parish Registers of Muston, published 1908
Pedigree of Henry Wood Freeman of Leicester, published 1890
The Cream of Leicestershire - Eleven Seasons Skimming, published 1883


Gloucestershire Registers & Records
Search for your English ancestors in this collection of historical Gloucestershire publications, including parish registers, a poor book, records of The Corporation of Gloucester, and more. Some of these records date back to the early 18th century.

This collection of Gloucestershire registers and records includes the following publications:

Elkstone Its Manors, Church and Registers, Published 1919
History & Antiquities of Tewkesbury, Published 1790
Parish Registers of Westbury-On-Trym, Published 1912
Poor Book - Tithings of Westbury-On-Trym, Stoke Bishop & Shirehampton, Published 1910
Records of The Corporation of Gloucester, Published 1893


Britain, Directories & Almanacs
Over 400 additional images have been added to our collection of British Directories and Almanacs. The collection includes trade directories, county guides, almanacs and general directories spanning three centuries that may help you uncover your ancestor's address and occupation or explore the history of your home address.


British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we have added 153,688 new pages to our Archive. We have updated five of our existing titles, with additions to the Belfast Telegraph, cinema title The Bioscope, Norfolk based title the Eastern Daily Press and Welsh title the Western Mail.
We have one brand new title this week, the Sunday Tribune. The Sunday Tribune was a Dublin based newspaper, and you can now find 619 issues on the Archive, covering the years 1993 to 2002.

Further details and links at https://blog.findmypast.com/findmypast-frdiay-2621881381.html

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

New release of Parish Records for Warwickshire with images

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

New release of Parish Records for Warwickshire with images

TheGenealogist has added over 1.5 million individuals to their Warwickshire Parish Record Collection to increase the coverage of this Midland county for researchers wanting to find their ancestors baptisms, marriages and burials.

This is the final release of records published in association with Warwickshire County Record Office now totalling nearly 5 million individuals which have the benefit of high quality images to complement the transcripts, making them a valuable resource for those with ancestors from this area.

These new fully searchable records can be used to find ancestors from the parishes of: Aston Cantlow, Berkswell, Combrook, Coventry All Saints, Coventry St Peter, Coventry St Thomas, Dunchurch, Exhall, Fillongley, Foleshill St Paul, Grandborough, Hampton in Arden, Harbury, Haseley, Hillmorton, Ilmington, Kenilworth St Nicholas, Kineton, Kingsbury, Lapworth, Leamington Hastings, Leamington Spa St Paul, Lighthorne, Lillington, Long Compton, Long Itchington, Meriden, Middleton, Napton-on-the-Hill, Nether Whitacre, Newbold Pacey, Newbold-on-Avon, Newton Regis, Packwood, Polesworth, Preston-on-Stour, Priors Marston, Quinton, Radford Semele, Radway, Rowington, Rugby St Andrew, Ryton-upon-Dunsmore, Salford Priors, Shustoke, Snitterfield, Southam, Stockingford, Stockton, Stoke, Stoneleigh, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Stretton-on-Fosse, Studley, Tanworth in Arden, Tredington, Tysoe, Walsgrave-on-Sowe, Warmington, Welford, Wolfhamcote, Wolford, Wolston, Wolvey and Wootton Wawen.

These new parish records are available as part of the Diamond Subscription at TheGenealogist.

Read TheGenealogist’s article that finds the baptism of the poet Rupert Brooke and 1887 burial of one Rugby headmaster who turned the school around:
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2018/warwickshire-parish-registers-reveals-rupert-brookes-baptism-in-rugby-997/

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

MyHeritage unveils Shared Ancestral Places for DNA matches

MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com) has revealed a new feature for its DNA platform - Shared Ancestral Places:

Shared Ancestral Places refer to towns, countries, or U.S. states that appear in your family tree as well as in the family trees of your DNA Matches, where birth or death events of your ancestors (and those of your DNA Matches’ ancestors) took place. These places are identified going back up to 10 generations and can play a vital role in family history research.

When you review a DNA Match, it’s not always clear how the match is related to you and who your common ancestor may be. Up until now, you may be able to figure out how your DNA Matches are related to you by looking at the family trees of your matches, the Shared Ancestral Surnames, or Smart Matches™ that exist between your trees.

If you and a DNA Match have a Shared Ancestral Place, you will be armed with more information to investigate the match further. You may be able to determine which common ancestor you and your match share from whom you both inherited the same DNA segments.

This new feature has added value whether you and your DNA Match have shared origins in a major city or in a small, remote village. For example, if you and a DNA Match both have ancestors who were born or died in the small town of Borșa, in Maramureș County, Romania, this may assure you that you and the match are indeed related, and will help you figure out where the connection comes from. Even if you and your match have ancestral events in a major city, the fact that you have that city in common already narrows down your search significantly, and can help provide additional clues as to how you might be related.

The full annoucnement is available at https://blog.myheritage.com/2018/11/shared-ancestral-places-added-to-myheritage-dna-matches/.

(With thanks to Daniel Horowitz)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Free access to FindmyPast this weekend - and new RAF records added

From FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

FindmyPast records and newspapers are completely free to view this Remembrance weekend. Discover your family and unravel your history for free.

Latest additions:

Royal Air Force Lists 1919-1945
Search the Royal Air Force Lists from 1919-1922 and 1938-1945. The Lists contain over 62,000 names and include the women's branches of the military including the WRENs, WAAF, and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service. The records are presented as digitised copies of the original publications. You can search by your ancestor's name and a keyword.


Queensland, Windsor Town Council Honour Roll 1914-1925
Explore this list of civilians who served in the First World War as recorded in the Windsor Town Council Honour Roll for the period 1914 to 1925.


Billion Graves Cemetery Indexes
Over 2 million records have been added to our collection of Billion Graves Cemetery Indexes. Covering a variety of countries, the Billion Greaves Indexes allow you to pinpoint your ancestor's final resting place via GPS-tagged headstone records.
This latest update includes:

Over 1.5 million new additions to the United States Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 68,000 new additions to the Canada Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 61,000 new additions to the England Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 4,000 new additions to the Ireland Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 19,000 new additions to the Scotland Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 5,000 new additions to the Wales Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Over 296,000 new additions to the Australia Graves Cemetery Index
Over 28,000 new additions to the New Zealand Billion Graves Cemetery Index


Middlesex Monumental Inscriptions 1485-2014

Over 1,300 additional records covering burial sites in Cowley have been added to our collection of Middlesex Monumental Inscriptions. This collection of monumental inscriptions, provided by West Middlesex Family History Society, covers the years from 1485 to 2014 and includes transcripts for each entry.

Further details at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/findmypast-friday-2618732034.html

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Thank you to ANESFHS Edinburgh branch

A huge thanks to Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society's Edinburgh branch for its warm hospitality and for the great reception received today when I gave them my talk Scottish Research Resources Before 1800, at the Royal Scots Club.

As well as the hand-out notes that I gave out, I also mentioned two of my books in particular to a few folk after the questions and answers session ended, which may be of interest - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, and Discover Scottish Land Records. Details on how to buy print or e-editions of these can be found at https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html.

For more on the society, which has branches in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, visit https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/guest-home - and please be advised, the society's main research centre on King Street in Aberdeen is now once again open after its recent refurbishment. 


Thanks again everyone, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future!

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Free access to Ancestry WW1 records

From Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):

Their story starts here - Free access starts today 
(https://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/world-war-1)

This year, Remembrance Day is more important than ever, marking 100 years since the end of WWI.

We’re inviting you to discover your family’s own WWI story with free access* to millions of wartime records, starting today.

*Access to the records in the featured collections will be free from 8 November 2018 to 12 November 2018 at 23:59 GMT. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view the records in the featured collections using an Ancestry.co.uk paid membership.
To see a full list of the records in the featured collections please visit https://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/group/uk_records_1910to1920.

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

TheGenealogist announces First World War records additions

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

TheGenealogist’s new release commemorates the centenary of the ending of the First World War

To mark the end of World War 1 that came to a close on 11 November 1918 with the signing of the armistice, TheGenealogist has just released over 42,000 records of Officers that died in the Great War, along with additional Rolls of Honour and over 30,000 War Memorials, War Graves plans, maps and listings.

These fully searchable records join an already strong WW1 Collection on the site, providing a highly useful resource for those seeking their ancestors caught up in the conflict.

This new release will allow researchers to:

• Discover Officers who gave their lives in the First World War
• View images of the HMSO’s Officers Died in the Great War Part I & II 1914-1918
• Find an officer’s rank, cause of death, date of death and regiment.
• Look for names commemorated in Rolls of Honour and War Memorials
• See War Graves plans, maps and listings

Family history researchers with ancestors who fought in the First World War will welcome these fascinating new releases that add to TheGenealogist’s well received collection of World War 1 records.

“TheGenealogist has got itself a very interesting collection of niche records that can really help you unlock the story of a soldier.”
Chris Baker from The Long, Long Trail website and www.fourteeneighteen.co.uk

Subscribers to TheGenealogist’s Diamond subscription can search 5.4 million Medal Records; 2.4 million Casualty Lists including Wounded, Missing and PoWs; 666,000 Muster & Pay Book records; 624,000 Soldiers died in the Great War; 506,000 War Memorials; 227,000 Roll of Honour transcripts; and Mentioned in Dispatches records.

In addition members can search and view Newspapers from the period (Illustrated War News, The Sphere, War Illustrated, Illustrated London News, The B.E.F. TIMES with which are incorporated The Wipers Times, The "New Church" Times, The Kemmel Times & The Somme Times.)

TheGenealogist’s subscribers also have access to WW1 Stereoviews, Army, Navy and Air Force Lists, Defence Staff Lists and many Regimental Histories.

Read TheGenealogist’s article on Finding Officers that died in the Great War:

https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2018/how-to-find-officers-that-died-in-ww1-983/

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Free access to MyHeritage military records

From MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com):

We want to let you know that ALL of our 47 million military records from around the world are searchable for free on MyHeritage to mark 100 years since the end of WWI. The records are available for free from November 8-12.

As we remember the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers from all over the world, it’s a fitting opportunity to reflect upon the personal contributions made by our ancestors.

Military records are valuable resources that provide insight into the lives of those who have served in the armed forces, as well as their families. With these records, users can learn about their ancestors and honor their memory and service to their country.

The records are available at https://www.myheritage.com/research/category-3000/military

(With thanks to Daniel Horowitz)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Latest additions to FindmyPast

The latest additions to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.com):

There are over 130,000 new records and newspapers available to search this Findmypast Friday, including:

O'Hart's Irish Pedigrees

Published in 1915, these are two Volumes of genealogy for Irish families. From the large quantity of information collected it was divided into separate Volumes covering the twelfth to the end of the sixteenth century:

Volume one, as quoted in the book, 'We give in the "Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation", and, so far as we could collect them, the genealogies of the families which branched from that ancient stem'.
Volume two, as quoted in the book, 'We give the "Families in Ireland from the twelfth to the end of the sixteenth century", with the counties in which they, respectively, we located'.


Ireland 1931 Trade Directory

Find your Irish ancestors that are listed in the 1931 Trade Directory. Explore the towns and Counties for the names of large companies, banks, tradesmen to small local businesses. With each record you will find a transcript of the directory. The transcripts will include a combination of you're the name of your ancestor's business or company, their occupation and address.


Ireland, Gravestone Records

Discover your ancestors who were buried in Ireland. Covering all 32 Counties in Ireland, these records reference hundreds of graveyards. The gravestone records contain the details of almost 57,600 individuals.


Britain, Gestapo Invasion Arrest List 1940

Discover a fascinating arrest list that was compiled for Britain by the German Gestapo. After the fall of France in May 1940, the Gestapo prepared for the invasion of Britain by compiling an arrest list of more than 2,300 names. The list includes most major figures in the British political establishment, Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain. It also featured prominent cultural figures and refugees who had fled the continent ahead of the Nazis. Among those slated for arrest were Lady Astor, Noel Coward, Virginia Woolf, H. G. Wells, Sidney Reilly, Heinrich Mann, Chaim Weizmann, Edvard Benes, Aldous Huxley, and Charles de Gaulle.


Scotland Monumental Inscriptions

Over 30,000 records covering Abernethy, Greyfriars, Kilmore, Urray, Clachan, and more have been added to our collection of Scottish Monumental Inscriptions. Each result will give you a transcript of your ancestor's burial monument. These records were created by a variety of family history societies and independent licensors, with transcripts that will vary depending on the age of the monument and its legibility. Most will include your ancestor's death date and burial location at the very least.


British & Irish Newspapers

This week we have added 341,248 new pages to our British & Irish collections. We have updated five of our existing titles, including special cinema publication The Bioscope, Welsh title the Western Mail, Irish titles the Drogheda Independent and the Belfast Telegraph, as well as adding the year 1890 to the Liverpool Echo.

Further details are available at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/findmypast-friday-november-2nd-2617213897.html

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

NIFHS announces an extra DNA class

From the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org):

NIFHS announce extra DNA class

The North of Ireland Family History Society run a series of classes each spring and autumn to help family historians. The DNA classes have been particularly popular and have booked up very quickly, so the society has arranged an extra beginners’ class starting in November. It is aimed at helping people who have received their autosomal DNA results from Family Tree DNA, or those who have transferred in their results from other companies such as Ancestry, MyHeritage and 23andMe.

The society also advises that there are still a few places on other courses starting soon so get your skates on if you would like to book your place!

· Family Finder. Learn how to use DNA tools to further your family history research.
Monday 19th November, 7pm, 3 weeks.

· From Family Tree to Family History. Developing your family tree into a readable story.
Tuesday 6th November, 11am, 3 weeks.

· Sharing Your Family History. Using PowerPoint to create a “talking book” to share with your family.
Tuesday 13 November, 7 pm, 1 class.

All classes take place at the society’s Library and Resource Centre in Newtownabbey, just north of Belfast.

Further information is online: www.nifhs.org/resources/courses/

Classes are open to all but need to be booked in advance by emailing: education@nifhs.org

(With thanks to Maeve)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.