Family Tree records round-up: October 2023

Save time with our records round-up! It’s your at-a-glance guide to what’s new in genealogy. In this series, exclusive to newsletter subscribers, we will be bringing together a monthly round-up of record releases from genealogy sites around the world. (Please note that many of the below websites may need a subscription to be able to access the records mentioned).

 

ANCESTRY

England, Wales, Scotland and Isle of Man Old Series maps (1805-74)

New this month, this collection contains indexes of topographic maps of England, Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man published between 1805 and 1874. Indexes in the collection were taken from a series of Ordnance Survey maps referred to as the "First Series" or the "Old Series." Old Series maps were the result of the first national survey of Britain.

How can I use this collection?

Maps can tell you a lot about your family's roots–even if you don't have a specific location. Last names can help you pinpoint which areas your family may have lived in. While your family member may have lived elsewhere, searching records from areas where the name frequently appears may be a good starting point.

Historic maps often look very different from modern maps, which can make them an excellent tool for tracing your family history. Borders shift, and the names of towns, counties, and even countries change. Comparing maps of a similar scale will allow you to place your family in history accurately.

(Above tips courtesy of Ancestry)

British Newspaper Archive

Scottish Cinema (1919-20)

‘The Journal of the Scottish Cinematograph Industry,’ the Scottish Cinema first appeared on 22 September 1919 to keep 'every branch of the industry in touch with all the latest developments of the trade.' This Scottish cinema trade journal was, however, destined to be short-lived, taking a summer break in 1920, never to return.

Access the collection here.

FIND MY PAST

Index to death duty registers

FindMyPast have made updates to more than 1 million records in this collection, which spans the years 1796 to 1903. More than 63,000 new records have also been added to the collection, with 'refined dates' and an improved search experience incorporated in the changes.

Explore here.

MyHeritage

43 million new historical records 

Within the past few weeks, MyHeritage has published 43 million historical records from 43 historical record collections from Belgium, Canada, France, Lithuania, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. The records include birth, marriage, death, divorce, burial, obituary, incarcerations, and naturalization. Many of the collections also include images.

The biggest releases:

THE GENEALOGIST

Bedfordshire and Herefordshire historic records now complete

TheGenealogist has announced it has now completed the 1910s land tax records for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. These Lloyd George Domesday Survey records are a fully searchable resource and using the field books and maps enables you to:

  • discover more about the type of property that your ancestors once occupied
  • see the actual location on a range of contemporary and modern maps

Read TheGenealogist's blog on Hertfordshire land records HERE.

England and Wales tithe maps now complete

TheGenealogist has announced the completion of its project to link all the National Tithe Record Collection for England & Wales with its Map Explorer™. Tithe record books and maps cover the majority of England and Wales and were created by the 1836 Tithe Commutation Act. This required tithes in kind to be converted to monetary payments, known as tithe rentcharges. The Tithe Survey was established to find out which areas were subject to tithes, who owned them, who occupied the various parcels of land, the usage of the land, how much was payable and to whom. These maps and apportionment books were the product of that survey and have been digitised by TheGenealogist.

Find out more HERE.

The Hive, Worcestershire

Over five centuries worth of records have been released online thanks to a new partnership between Worcestershire County Council’s Archive and Archaeology Service and Ancestry

The records, which are held at The Hive Library in Worcester, will enable people with roots in Worcestershire to trace missing pieces of their family history from wherever they are in the world. Find out more here.

 

Does your group, society, record office or archive have a record release you'd like to share? Email us and we'll be in touch.