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Articles by Mary Mckee

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An expert's guide to discovering census history with five must-read books

These five fascinating books will help you to discover your ancestors' census records from years gone by

3 November 2022

The census is an incredible resource. It not only gives us those biographical details that help us trace our ancestors every ten years, but it gives a snapshot of the entire country. As any keen genealogist knows, it is like peeking into the windows – and the portholes – of every home and ship in the country. Back in 2018, Findmypast began the landmark project to digitise the 1921 Census of England and Wales in partnership with the National Archives. This began my keen

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Black and white photo showing a man seated at a desk in uniform, handing a man standing some papers.

How Black Friday 1921 led to the census being postponed for the first time in history

15 April 2022

Picture boots on cobbles, voices carrying down terraced streets, the scrape of a chair pulled up to the kitchen table as another man came in with the latest news. Word travelled fast in mining communities. By 1921, life was already on edge. The First World War had ended, but the relief never quite arrived. Work was uncertain. Prices were high. Across England and Wales, more than two million people were out of work.For families tied to the coal industry, things

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1921 Census digitisation

What does it take to bring the 1921 Census of England & Wales online?

27 October 2021

Our journey to preserve and digitise the 1921 Census of England and Wales started when Findmypast won the competitive tender published by The National Archives in 2018.  We were thrilled to be chosen to complete the challenging but exciting task of bringing the 1921 Census online for the first time. The Census is an amazing window into the past, giving us a snapshot of 38 million lives in England and Wales on one night in the summer of 1921. Now, with our Premium subscription, you

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How to trace LGBT ancestors

How to trace LGBT ancestors

2 December 2019

If you are hitting brick walls when trying to discover an elusive great-uncle or great-great-aunt, did you ever consider the possibility that they were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender? Here are some suggestions and tips that can help to uncover the fascinating life stories of these ancestors.To learn more about LGBT history - and how you can trace your very own LGBT+ ancestors - head over to our LGBT History Hub. From Oscar Wilde's family tree to our must-read books on

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