This week, explore everything from Norfolk to North American history

4-5 minute read

By Jessie Ohara | February 25, 2022

Norfolk and North American releases this week

Discover thousands of untold stories in this week's release.

It's a big week at Findmypast, with two new record collections and an incredible 89 new and updated newspapers.

US Census 1860, Slave Schedule Browse

This collection is part of the wider 1860 US Census, as enslaved people were enumerated on a separate schedule to free people. While they were not enumerated with their name, the 1860 Slave Schedule details their estimated age, their race (black or mixed-race), whether or not they had any infirmities, and whether or not they were a fugitive of the state. The enslaver, however, is noted by name.

A snapshot of the US Slave Schedule, 1860.

This collection dates directly before the American Civil War, beginning 1861, and following that, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862. The Emancipation Proclamation didn't end slavery - it simply stated that the enslaved people in specifically rebel states were free, leaving those in loyal states untouched by the proclamation. Additionally, it was entirely reliant upon a Union victory.

An illustration titled 'Reading the war news in New York', Illustrated London News, 1861.

However, it sparked a fire within much of the American population, and changed the character of the war. Each progression of the rebel troops expanded the boundaries which defined the freedom of thousands of enslaved people. The Proclamation went on to announce that newly-freed people could fight as soldiers in the war. This led to over 200,000 black and mixed race people being freed from slavery, and fighting for the Union Army and Navy - meaning the newly liberated could now become liberators.

Two American soldiers pictured in the Illustrated London News, 1861.

While this collection may not be as informative when used standalone, it becomes absolutely key when considered alongside other sources. The 1870 US Census, for example, is an excellent resource when tracking people freed during the American Civil War as they worked to rebuilt their lives after emancipation. If you have a hypothesis about your enslaved ancestors, or if you're trying to trace their journey through slavery and consequent liberation, this collection can confirm your theories and solidify your ancestor's story. It is entirely free to view.

Norfolk Monumental Inscriptions Index 1600-1900

Perhaps you've already discovered the burial records for your ancestors in Norfolk, but the story doesn't end there. Monumental inscriptions can be an excellent resource for painting a bolder picture of your family.

A poignant monumental inscription for a John Trett, 1849.

These records detail the exact inscription on your ancestor's grave, which may even indicate other family members' names. Some records also note the exact location of the grave, and if your ancestor had a military career, some will list the rank and regiment. All of these can give you more avenues to explore when discovering your family history, but more than that, they often include sentimental and poignant notes from family members. There's no doubt that this index will help you build a closer connection with your history.

What's headlining this week?

Newspapers race ahead of our other releases, with an incredible 29 new titles and 60 updated titles. It's all about local history this week, with titles from Birmingham to Brixham, from Darlington to Dover. Many of these newspapers document a more recent history, with 18 of our new papers focusing on the 1980s or later. Perhaps it's time to take a break from your centuries-gone ancestors - will you find someone closer to home? Explore more with the full list of new and updated titles below.

New titles:

Aberdare Leader, 1986
Abergele & Pensarn Visitor, 1986
Belper & Alfreton Chronicle, 1885-1897, 1899-1901
Birmingham Weekly Mercury, 1986
Border Advertiser, 1868, 1870-1872, 1875-1877, 1879-1886, 1888-1889, 1891-1892
Brixham Western Guardian, 1902-1910, 1912-1914, 1916, 1918-1922, 1925, 1944, 1946
Cambridge Town Crier, 1986
Cambridge Weekly News, 1986
Commercial, Shipping & General Advertiser for West Cornwall, 1867-1892, 1894-1913
Cornish Echo and Falmouth & Penryn Times, 1861-1912
Crosby Herald, 1986
Distillers’, Brewers’, and Spirit Merchants’ Magazine, 1897-1905
Dover Chronicle, 1835, 1837-1882, 1884-1888, 1890-1893, 1895, 1897-1927
East Grinstead Observer, 1986
Ellesmere Port Pioneer, 1988-1989
Gloucester News, 1986
Harlow Star, 1983
Huntingdon Town Crier, 1986
Middleton Guardian, 1986
North Star (Darlington), 1885
Nottingham Guardian, 1962
Nottingham Recorder, 1986
Nuneaton Chronicle, 1873-1900
Richmond Informer, 1986, 1989
Rossendale Free Press, 1889, 1986
Rutland Times, 1994-1999
Sunbury & Shepperton Herald, 1986
Trowbridge Chronicle,1861-1868, 1871-1906
Walton & Weybridge Informer, 1986

Updated titles:

Acton Gazette, 1988
Ashbourne News Telegraph, 1959, 1963
Ayrshire Post, 1986
Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1892, 1895
Birmingham Mail, 1986
Bracknell Times, 1977
Buckinghamshire Examiner, 1986
Burton Daily Mail, 1986
Carmarthen Journal, 1987
Central Somerset Gazette, 1988
Chatham News, 1859-1861
Cheddar Valley Gazette, 1987-1988
Chelsea News and General Advertiser, 1986
Cheshire Observer, 1984
Cheshunt and Waltham Mercury, 1988-1989
Chester Chronicle, 1959, 1988, 1990
Coventry Standard, 1959
Crewe Chronicle, 1986, 1989
Derby Express, 1988, 1990
Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette, 1973, 1989
Harrow Observer, 1988
Hertford Mercury and Reformer, 1985, 1988-1989
Herts and Essex Observer, 1984, 1988
Hinckley Times, 1988
Hoddesdon and Broxbourne Mercury, 1988-1989
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 1987
Irvine Herald, 1986
Kilmarnock Standard, 1978, 1986, 1988-1989
Leek Post & Times and Cheadle News & Times and Moorland Advertiser, 1986
London Chronicle, 1808, 1812, 1814-1815, 1818
Long Eaton Advertiser, 1910, 1913, 1981
Marylebone Mercury, 1984
Middlesex County Times, 1984, 1988-1989
Nantwich Chronicle, 1988, 1990
Northern Guardian (Hartlepool), 1900
Northern Weekly Gazette, 1863, 1901
Nottingham Evening Post, 1962
Ormskirk Advertiser, 1986
Paisley Daily Express, 1986
Pontypridd District Herald, 1881, 1884, 1890
Poole Telegram, 1885
Port Talbot Guardian, 1986
Press (London), 1859
Runcorn Examiner, 1878
Runcorn Guardian, 1899
Saffron Walden Weekly News, 1920, 1959, 1969, 1974-1975, 1980, 1982
Scottish Leader, 1890-1891
Scottish Press, 1856
Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 1989
Southall Gazette, 1985-1987
Stirling Observer, 1986
Stockport Advertiser and Guardian, 1862, 1871
Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, 1868, 1873
Tamworth Herald, 1988
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 1881-1882, 1891-1892, 1964
Warminster Herald, 1873, 1883
Westerham Herald, 1919, 1928
Western Gazette, 1986
Westminster & Pimlico News, 1985-1987
Wishaw Press, 1988-1989

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Newspapers are an incredible resource for discovering not only personal family history, but exploring the wider social and economic history in your area. Check out this blog article on the one million pages we have available for free on Findmypast, and as ever, make sure to email your discoveries to [email protected].