Findmypast launches over 541,000 new records as the first instalment of their new Findmypast Fridays
Leading family history website FindmyPast on Friday 12 September 2014, added over 541,000 new records as the first instalment of their new Findmypast Fridays. Findmypast Fridays will see thousands of new records added to the site every single Friday for subscribers to explore over the weekend.
From parish registers to military records and periodicals, Findmypast customers will now be offered a wide variety of new and exciting opportunities to uncover even more about their ancestors on a weekly basis.
Today’s launch has seen four fascinating new record sets added, including Dorset parish marriages, York marriage licences, Northamptonshire Hearth Tax records and London Poor Law records.
Dorset Marriages 1538-1902
Over 191,726 records have now been added to Findmypast’s existing collection of Dorset parish marriages, taken from the registers of around 339 churches, chapels and Quaker Meetings within the county. The Dorset parish marriages are marriage records made and kept by the Church and are invaluable as many list the parents of the bride and groom; this can be crucial to discovering information about the previous generation.
Archbishop of York Marriage licences index 1613-1839
This collection contains 305,032 records that list the details of people who made applications for marriage licences in the diocese of York between 1613 and 1839. Marriage licences allowed the usual notice period under banns to be waived on payment of a fee and many couples viewed them as a status symbol. The Index typically lists an individual’s age at the time of their marriage licence application, their home parish and their spouse’s age and parish. The records may also reveal if your ancestor was serving in the armed forces at the time.
Northamptonshire Hearth Tax 1674
Northamptonshire Hearth Tax records have also been added, forming a complete index to the Northamptonshire Hearth Tax lists 1673–1674. This set includes all the legible details relating to individuals that can be found in the original records for the whole county. These records can provide firm evidence of a family’s residence at a certain place in time and the number of hearths in a household is also a very good indication of a family’s wealth and status.
London Poor Law records 1581 to 1899
22,344 new London Poor Law records have just been added. This rich collection makes for fascinating reading and includes the details of the capital’s poor relief recipients including unmarried pregnant women and workhouse inmates. Each record contains a transcript of the information contained in the original records and lists details of Poor Law relief recipients including their name, age, the date relief was received, why relief was needed as well as details of apprenticeships or other action taken.
New additions every week!
This is only the beginning and there are many more fascinating new records yet to come! Be sure to check the Findmypast Friday page at the end of every week to keep up to date with all the latest new additions.
Debra Chatfield, family historian at findmypast.co.uk, said: “We are very excited to be adding such a fascinating variety of records to the site on a weekly basis. This week’s new additions will present family historians with some fantastic new opportunities to learn more about their ancestors and perhaps discover some new ones. We are now committed to providing a variety of fascinating record sets every single week to ensure that customers can see their family trees continue to grow.”