Unlocking family and local histories news from The National Archives, UK

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Unlocking family and local histories and other news from The National Archives
 
 
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Print of Lanhydrock House and church, 1831. Kresen Kernow. Catalogue ref: EN/2476/45

Unlocking family and local histories... and other news from The National Archives

This January marks one year since we launched the 1921 Census, so we're bringing you a range of resources relating to unearthing family and local histories. Delve into the complicated nature of English inheritance laws and learn what happens when there were no male descendants. Plus, get started with your own research via a new offer from FindMyPast, our handy research guides, and an upcoming webinar all about using our online catalogue, Discovery

Here's we have for you this week:

 
 
 
 

What is a coheiress? Manors, moieties and English inheritance law

by Robert Chipperfield

by

 

As any Downton Abbey fan will know, the Dowager Countess of Grantham is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her sarcasm and wit and guaranteed to make any dinner party memorable, some of her ripostes are infamous. However, her remark that ‘there’s no such thing as an English heiress with a brother’ sums up centuries of English inheritance law.

Read on to gain an insight into what happens when there is no son to inherit an estate.

> Read more
 
 
 

FindMyPast: Celebrate one year of 1921 Census discoveries with 21% off subscriptions 

FindMyPast have launched a new offer to mark one year since the launch of the 1921 Census.

Use promocode SAVE21 for 21% off all 3-month and 12-month subscriptions (including Premium). The offer ends on 15 January.

Begin finding your past today.

 
> Get the offer
 
 
 
 
 

Research guide: How to look for Census Records

Our research guide provides advice on how to access the historical censuses from 1841 to 1921 and provides information on using census returns. 

Get started with your research today.

> Learn more
 
 
 

Using Discovery

Join us to learn top tips for using Discovery, our online catalogue which allows you to download 100 free records a month. You will come away with all of the tools needed to make the most of the catalogue for your research, whether you are a new user or an experienced researcher.

This webinar will be delivered by Sarah Castagnetti, Visual Collections Team Manager.

We’re carrying out essential maintenance on Sunday 15 January from 09:00 GMT that will affect Discovery and related services, including the booking system and record copying. We’re aiming to complete the work as quickly as possible during the morning to keep disruption to a minimum.

> Sat 14 Jan, 10:30
 
 
 
 

Shop Tracing Your Ancestors: Guides for Family and Local Historians

Tracing Your Ancestors in County Records

For over 500 years, the Justices of the Peace were the embodiment of government for most of our ancestors. The records they and other county officials kept are invaluable sources for local and family historians, and Stuart Raymond's handbook is the first in-depth guide to them. 

> Shop now
 

Tracing Your Ancestors Through Local History Records

Jonathan Oates’s detailed introduction to local records is a useful tool for anyone who is trying to piece together a portrait of family members from the past. In a series of concise and informative chapters, he looks at the origins and importance of local history from the sixteenth century onwards. 

> Shop now
 

A Guide to Tracing Your Family History using the Census

Providing the researcher with a fascinating insight into who we were in the past, Emma Jolly’s new handbook is a useful tool for anyone keen to discover their family history. With detailed and accessible coverage, it is full of advice on how to explore and get the most from the records.

> Shop now
 
    
 
 
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