London Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1659-1930

Ancestry has recently updated its collection of London Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1659-1930. Many of our ancestors received help through Poor Laws. These included the elderly, orphaned, unemployed and sick. It wasn’t just money they were given – they also received other daily necessities such as food, clothing and work. Children from poor familiesContinue reading "London Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1659-1930"

Apprentices Indentured in UK Merchant Navy, 1824-1910

Ancestry has just released a new collection of lists of young men who were indentured to merchant navy ships between the years 1824 and 1910. They include details such as name, age and date at registration or indenture, vessel, port of registry, and birth year and place. Historical Background The National Archives describes the legislationContinue reading "Apprentices Indentured in UK Merchant Navy, 1824-1910"

New database of US Wills and Probate Records

More than 100 million people are mentioned in Ancestry’s newest database of U.S. wills and probate records, an exclusive collection spanning 1668-2005. Ancestry has launched a new online records collection with more than 170 million pages from 50 states of wills and probate records in the United States. Up until now the U.S. has hadContinue reading "New database of US Wills and Probate Records"

Using the England and Wales census

Censuses began in England and Wales in 1801, but these ten-yearly headcounts don’t come into their own as a source for family history until 1841, when the first census to ask for biographical details about the populace took place. Except in 1941, when war made it impossible, this process has been repeated every ten yearsContinue reading "Using the England and Wales census"

Using Directories for Family History

http://www.historicaldirectories.org Historical directories are among the most important sources for research into family history. They often focus upon a particular town, city or county and include the names, addresses and occupations of the local inhabitants. Look out for the following in trade directories: lists of trades and professions names arranged street by street lists arrangedContinue reading "Using Directories for Family History"

Church Of Ireland Parish Records available on FindmyPast

For those born before the introduction of civil registration in Ireland, proving they were old enough for the pension could be difficult. Proof was accepted from entries in parish records and census returns held in the Public Records Office. These searches are of the Church of Ireland registers for births, deaths and marriages and alsoContinue reading "Church Of Ireland Parish Records available on FindmyPast"

New medical registers available on Ancestry

Ancestry has released today UK Medical Registers, 1859-1959. This database contains annually published books listing all of the names of doctors who were licensed to practise in the United Kingdom and abroad from 1859-1959. Also included are foreign doctors who qualified in Britain. Be aware that the registers have only been digitised on 4 yearContinue reading "New medical registers available on Ancestry"