Celebrating International Women's Day with women's wartime records
1-2 minute read
By Liam Boyle | March 8, 2024
This Findmypast Friday we're highlighting the stories of female ancestors with a brand new set of Women's Land Army service records.
This Findmypast Friday we're highlighting the stories of female ancestors with an exciting new set of Women's Land Army service records. Plus, we've added a brand new collection of Irish Land Commissions and updated our Northamptonshire Militia Lists, along with over 200,000 new newspaper pages.
Women's Land Army Service Cards 1939-1950
With the 128,440 service records in this brand new collection, discover women's contributions to the Second World War in more detail than ever.
Originally set up in 1917, the Women’s Land Army was reformed in June 1939 in preparation for the Second World War and these records will tell you all about your ancestors' time with the Land Army, including name, marital status, date of birth and details about their enrollment.
Ireland Land Commissions
Next up we have another brand new record set, Irish Land Commissions which includes 741,255 records.
Covering 1891 to 1920, these records contain details of tenants who were able to buy the farm they occupied from their landlord and will contain the names of both parties, as well as where the farm was and how much was paid.
Northamptonshire Militia Lists 1762-1819
Our final addition this week sees 13,351 records added to our existing Northamptonshire Militia Lists.
Militia lists were recorded annually and sent to either the Justice of the Peace or the Lord Lieutenants and include information such as name, occupation the year the record was taken.
Discover over 200,000 new pages
Rounding out this Findmypast Friday we have a brand new newspaper title from Kent, with the Tunbridge Wells Standard joining our collection, alongside updates to over 20 existing titles.
Here's everything that's been added to our newspaper archive this week.
- Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1998
- Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser, 1918
- Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, 1987-1988, 1991, 1993-1998
- Derry Journal, 1995
- Durham County Advertiser, 1916
- Fleetwood Weekly News, 1988
- Fraserburgh Herald and Northern Counties’ Advertiser, 1988-1989
- Horncastle News, 1990
- Kent County Standard, 1882
- Kentish Express, 1978, 1988-1989, 1993, 1995-1997
- Kentish Gazette, 1987-1989, 1992-1993, 1996, 1998
- Londonderry Sentinel, 1995
- Louth Standard, 1995
- Maidstone Telegraph, 1979, 1988-1991, 1994, 1997
- Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail, 1954-1959, 1989
- Melton Mowbray Times and Vale of Belvoir Gazette, 1973, 1982-1984, 1990, 1995
- Morecambe Visitor, 1963, 1969-1974
- Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald, 1993
- Rugby Advertiser, 1855
- Sheerness Times Guardian, 1988-1989, 1991, 1994-1998
- South Eastern Gazette, 1971, 1978
- South London Press, 1914
Last week, we added important Home Children records to our collection. Explore the full release for yourself here.
