Welcome to the Family History Social

TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC): Losses Database on its website. This significant collection honours the men and women who served and died while supporting Bomber Command operations.

The IBCC Losses Database includes detailed records of over 67,000 Bomber Command casualties, capturing personal details, aircraft information, missions, and circumstances of death. This fully searchable resource allows family historians, researchers, and aviation enthusiasts to access an unparalleled level of detail about those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

The records link on to the IBCC database, compiled from over 6.2 Million pieces of data, giving an incredible amount of information for each individual, often including a photo.

• 67,140 Records

• Covers 1936 to 1968

• Gives over 100,000 names of Parents, Spouses, Siblings and Children

• SmartSearch links to our AIR 27 Operations Record Books (ORBs), which can provide details of the fateful mission where the crew member lost their life

149 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall with a Wellington Bomber

Among the notable entries in the database is Percy Charles Pickard, the legendary RAF officer known for leading the daring Amiens prison raid in 1944. His inclusion in the records offers a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that marked the RAF’s wartime efforts. You can read his remarkable story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/target-for-tonight-8696/ 

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said:
"This is a moving record collection that sheds light on those who served in one of the most dangerous roles of the Second World War. We’re making this release free to everyone as a tribute to the Bomber Command staff and crew who paid the ultimate price."

The IBCC Losses Database is now available for free for all registered users. Sign up for your free account at https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/account/signup/

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, The Family History Show returns to Kempton Park Racecourse in Sunbury-on-Thames, offering a unique opportunity for genealogists and history enthusiasts to delve into their ancestral roots. Running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, this event promises a day filled with expert insights, valuable resources, and a vibrant community of fellow researchers.

What to Expect

1. Ask the Experts
Gain personalised guidance by booking a free one-on-one session with a genealogy expert. Whether you're tackling a research challenge or seeking advice on resources, this is your chance to get tailored assistance. 

2. Free Talks
Throughout the day, attend a series of free talks covering a wide range of topics to enhance your research skills and knowledge. These sessions are designed to cater to both beginners and seasoned genealogists. 

3. Exhibitors and Societies
Explore a diverse array of exhibitors, including family history societies, archives, and genealogical suppliers from across the globe. Discover new tools, resources, and connections to aid in your research journey. 

Tickets and Offers

• Early Bird Special: Purchase two tickets for just £14, and receive a complimentary goody bag worth £15 upon entry. 

• On-the-Day Entry: Tickets available at the door.

Getting There

• By Car: Enjoy ample free parking at the venue.

• By Train: Kempton Park Racecourse is conveniently located just 200 yards from the North entrance, with trains running every half hour direct from London Waterloo, taking approximately 40 minutes. 

• Refreshments: All-day refreshments are available from the on-site café, offering both hot and cold food options. 

Mark Your Calendar

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow family history enthusiasts, gain expert insights, and discover resources to further your genealogical research. Whether you're just starting out or looking to break through a brick wall, The Family History Show London is an event you won't want to miss.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit thefamilyhistoryshow.com

 Discover the Working Lives of Scientists, Engineers and Apprentices through Rare Historical Documents

TheGenealogist is proud to announce the release of over 100,000 new names in its expanding collection of occupational records. This new addition includes a rich series of publications that offer a unique glimpse into the careers and associations of individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries, many of whom played key roles in Britain’s scientific and industrial history.

These records are drawn from a series of publications, most notably the reports and member lists of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. With reports ranging from the early 1800s to the late 1920s, researchers can now explore a wide array of academic and scientific figures from conferences held in cities including Hull, Edinburgh, Plymouth, Bristol, Dundee, and even Toronto.

In addition to these scientific records, this release features engineering and apprenticeship documents, including:

• Register of Past Apprentices, Pupils and Students of Petters Ltd, Yeovil, 1938 – A fascinating directory of those involved with this well-known engineering firm.

• The Junior Institution of Engineers, List of Members, 8th May 1950 – Providing details of early-career engineers across the UK.

• The British Engineers' Association Official Directory of Members, 1917 – Highlighting professionals active during a crucial time in wartime engineering.

• And many more!

A page from Early New Zealand Engineers

These resources are invaluable to family historians and researchers alike, offering insights into the professional lives of ancestors who may have worked in the fields of science, industry and engineering. Whether your ancestor presented a paper, attended meetings, or trained as an apprentice at a major engineering firm in the 1930s, this collection could provide the key to uncovering their career history.

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content, said:
"We’re pleased to add these fascinating science and engineering records to the growing collection of occupational resources available on TheGenealogist. From teachers to tradesmen, clergy to councillors, and now solicitors to scientists, our occupational records span an incredible range of professions and public service roles. This latest release, rich with detail from scientific societies and engineering institutions, gives researchers even more ways to uncover the working lives of their ancestors."

These records are now available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, adding to its comprehensive collection of occupational records.

The inventor Joseph Swan can be found in this release - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/joseph-swan-8409/

This new occupational records release includes: British Association for the Advancement of Science, List of Members 1838; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Plymouth, 1877; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Edinburgh, 1892; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Nottingham, 1893; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Toronto, 1897; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Bristol, 1898; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Southport, 1903; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Cambridge, 1904; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dundee, 1912; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Manchester, 1915; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Newcastle-On-Tyne, 1916; Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1917; The British Engineers’ Association Official Directory of Members, 1917; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of 87th Meeting, 1919; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 90th Meeting, Hull 1922; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 93rd Meeting, 1925; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of 94th Meeting, 1926; British Association for the Advancement of Science, Report of the 96th Meeting, Glasgow, 1928; Register of Past Apprentices, Pupils and Students of Petters Ltd, Yeovil, 1938; The Junior Institution of Engineers, List of Members, 8th May 1950; Early New Zealand Engineers

Leading family history website TheGenealogist is delighted to announce the release of the Lloyd George Domesday Survey records for Cambridgeshire. This exciting addition offers researchers a detailed view of land and property ownership and occupancy.

The records give information about the person living at an address and the type of property they had. Details within the field books can include plans and detailed descriptions of properties that provide a unique snapshot of local communities during a period of significant social change.

The Lloyd George Domesday Survey was carried out between 1910 and 1915 to create a comprehensive record for tax purposes. The newly released Cambridgeshire records link rich field books and large-scale hand-annotated Ordnance Survey maps, allowing users to pinpoint exactly where ancestors lived, what land they owned or occupied, and details about the properties themselves.

This latest release includes:

• 164,524 individuals and businesses pinned to maps on MapExplorer^TM

• Covering over 1,000 square miles

• Searchable field book entries naming owners and occupiers

• Precise property descriptions including size, usage, and value

• Detailed mapping of each property using contemporary Ordnance Survey maps

Eglantyne Jebb, Founder of Save the Children, can be found in these new records

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said:
"We are thrilled to add Cambridgeshire to our growing collection of Lloyd George Domesday records. For anyone with roots in the county, this is an incredible resource to find exactly where their ancestors lived and to uncover stories about the land they occupied."

Within these records can be found the Ball family, who set up an industry overnight, discovering that the old adage “Where there’s muck, there’s money” rings true! Discover more about the family and their unusual trade in Coprolite in our latest article, “Burwell’s Surprising Buried Treasure”.

The Lloyd George Domesday records are available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist.

New Release of Digitised Volumes Offers Rich Context for Family History Researchers

TheGenealogist is excited to announce the release of a major new collection of fully searchable historical books. This diverse collection encompasses nearly 200,000 names from rare publications, providing family historians and genealogical researchers with an invaluable resource to delve beyond basic records. With these new volumes, users can uncover not just names and dates, but the rich social and occupational context that brings ancestors’ stories to life.

A page from Leading Insurance Men of the British Empire

The newly added titles span three centuries and a broad range of subjects, from professional directories and club yearbooks to literary works and social commentaries. Each book has been digitised and is searchable by name, allowing researchers to find ancestors across different walks of life. Notable titles in the collection include:

• The Incorporated Accountants' Year Book 1936

• Leading Insurance Men of the British Empire

• Who’s Who 1897, 1923 & 1928

• Universal Directory of Railway Officials 1929 & 1943–1944

• The Railway Diary and Officials' Directory 1920

• Auctioneers and Estate Agents Year Book 1929–1930

• Directory for Surveyors, Auctioneers & Land and Estate Agents 1929

• The Royal Aero Club of the UK Year Book 1924–1926

• Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1936 & 1940

• The Company of Clockmakers, Register of Apprentices 1631–1931

• The British Launderers' Year Book 1939–40

• The Watch and Clock Makers of Northumberland and Durham 1449–1801)

• A Handbook and Directory of Old Scottish Clockmakers 1540–1850

From Victorian-era social surveys to early 20th-century professional directories, these publications offer genealogists a chance to explore the world their ancestors inhabited. Family historians can trace an ancestor’s career in the railway industry, find a forebear listed among incorporated accountants or insurance professionals, read contemporary accounts of working-class life in mid-1800s London, and much more. All of this information is readily searchable by name, making it easier than ever to uncover connections that might previously have gone unnoticed.

“This release brings a wealth of social and occupational context to our users’ family trees, enabling researchers to uncover not just names and dates, but the real-life stories of their ancestors,” said Mark Bayley, Head of Content at TheGenealogist. “We’re empowering our subscribers to step into their ancestors’ daily lives – whether it’s identifying the factory where your great-grandfather worked or discovering that a relative was noted in Who’s Who over a century ago.”

The collection is already yielding fascinating finds. Among the notable figures unearthed in these books is William Henry Smith of WHSmith's high street fame, who was a Victorian entrepreneur and politician. Researchers can find Smith’s name and details within these newly digitised pages, connecting them to the story of the famous bookseller and newsagent. TheGenealogist has highlighted his story in an article on their website, illustrating the real-life detail this collection provides to enrich family narratives. Read the William Henry Smith story here. This is just one example of how these records allow users to go beyond basic facts, revealing personal achievements, occupations and the communities influential individuals were part of.

With the addition of these titles, TheGenealogist continues to expand the breadth of its resources. This launch follows the company’s tradition of bringing often overlooked or hard-to-access materials into the digital realm. By searching these books, subscribers can gain insights into historical events and industries that shaped their ancestors’ lives – from cricket club records offering sporting context, to clockmakers’ registries that might confirm an ancestor’s apprenticeship in the 1700s.

The new Historical Books Collection is available to search right now on TheGenealogist. Family history enthusiasts are invited to explore these records and see what stories await in the pages of these old books. To start discovering your ancestors in this unique collection, visit www.TheGenealogist.co.uk and use the site’s advanced search tools to find names, keywords, and connections across the entire library of historical resources.

Books covered in this release are: The Incorporated Accountants' Year Book, 1936; The Lloyds of Birmingham 1907; A Flat Iron for a Farthing by J. H. Ewing (1873); The Village Blacksmith (Life of Samuel Hick); Leading Insurance Men of the British Empire; Memories of Land and Sky; Who's Who, 1897; Who's Who, 1923; Who's Who, 1928; (Moore's Almanack Improved) Wills's Farmer and Countryman Calendar 1821; Fire Over London, 1940-41; Universal Directory of Railway Officials 1943-1944; Great Western Railway Engines; Prevention of Accidents to Staff Engaged in Railway Operations; Railway Accidents 1st July to 31st December 1856; National Union of Railwaymen, Report and Financial Statements for 1913; The Railway Diary and Officials' Directory, 1920; The Universal Directory of Railway Officials, 1929; Auctioneers And Estate Agents Year Book 1929-1930; Directory for Surveyors, Auctioneers & Land and Estate Agents, 1929; The Royal Aero Club of the UK, Year Book, 1924-1926; Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1940; Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1936; The Company of Clockmakers, Register of Apprentices 1631-1931; The British Launderers' Year Book 1939-40; The Watch and Clock Makers of Northumberland and Durham, 17th and 18th Centuries, 1449-1801; A Handbook and Directory of Old Scottish Clockmakers, 1540-1850; London Labour and London Poor, Extra Volume, 1850; London Labour and the London Poor, Vol II, 1850; London Labour and the London Poor, Vol III, 1850

Over one million Royal Hospital Chelsea Prize Records from The National Archives are now online for the first time

TheGenealogist, a leading UK family history research website, is proud to announce the release of the Royal Hospital Chelsea: Prize Records from The National Archives (Reference WO 164). This newly digitised collection contains more than one million entries detailing the distribution of military prize money from 1720 to 1899, offering an unprecedented window into the financial rewards granted to soldiers, staff and their families for success in battle.

When British forces captured enemy property or territory, the spoils (or their monetary value) were pooled and allocated to the officers and men as "prize" rewards. These records describe their allocation, whether to the soldiers themselves or a relative.

Will Butler, Head of Modern Collections and Military Records Specialist at The National Archives, says “These records shed fascinating light on British military campaigns during the late 18th and 19th centuries. When the surviving military records for individuals can be so tricky to piece together, this series will be an invaluable addition to those interested in researching their military ancestors or those who served in the British armed forces during the period”.

The Duke of Wellington’s Prize for the Battle of Waterloo

"These Prize Records offer a fascinating glimpse into an often-overlooked aspect of military history," said Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist. "For family historians with ancestors who served in campaigns including the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo, these records can provide crucial missing links in their research."

An Essential Resource for Tracing Military Ancestors

• The collection spans 663 volumes and 1,064,391 records across more than 172,000 high resolution colour images.

• The documents detail the entitlements to shares in war prizes from campaigns between 1720 and 1899.

• Records cover significant wars such as the latter years of the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Waterloo and the Peninsular War, as well as smaller skirmishes.

• Not only do these records contain names of the soldiers, but they can also list a relative applying for the prize and an address.

• The records are fully searchable by Name of the Applicant and Soldier, Rank, Regiment, Date, Location, War and Keywords.

The collection primarily consists of registers of unclaimed shares, with entries documenting when claims were eventually settled and noting the recipients.

The collection also contains warrants, correspondence, quarterly accounts and other miscellaneous documents that provide contextual information about the prize distribution process. Many registers remained open for decades after the original payments, listing relatives that claimed the prizes long after the military campaign they were awarded for.

These records are now available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, adding to its comprehensive collection of military records.

The military hero Henry William Paget can be found in this release - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/new-records-reveal-lord-uxbridge-and-his-leg-8310/

Wars covered in this release are: American Revolutionary War; Anglo-Indian Wars; Anglo-Spanish War 1796-1808; Anglo-Turkish War 1807-1809; Coorg War; Crimean War; First Anglo-Afghan War; First Anglo-Burmese War; Second Anglo-Burmese War; Second Anglo-Maratha War; Second Anglo-Sinkh War; Second Egyptian-Ottoman War; Second Kandyan War; Second Opium War; Fourth Anglo-Dutch War; Fourth Anglo-Mysore War; French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars; Peninsula War; Sixty Years War; Third Anglo-Maratha War; War of 1812; War of the Second Coalition; War of the Fifth Coalition; War of the Sixth Coalition; War of the Seventh Coalition

Battles, Campaigns and actions covered in this release are: 1st and 2nd Campaigns of the Second Anglo-Maratha War; Adriatic Campaign 1807-1814; Battle of Copenhagen; Battle of Martinique, Capture of St Lucia and the Invasion of Guadeloupe during the War of the First Coalition; Battle of Meeanee (Miani); Battle of Ogdensburg during the War of 1812; Battle of Saldanha Bay; Battle of San Fernando de Omoa; British annexation of Malacca by British East India Company; British conquest of India; British East India Company defense against piracy; British invasions of the River Plate during Anglo-Spanish War 1796-1808; Capture of Banda Neira, Great Banda and Pulau Aly Islands; Capture of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice; Capture of Forts Castel Nuovo and Espagnole during the Adriatic Campaign 1807-1814; Capture of Ponza; Capture of Sint Eustatius; Capture of St Lucia; Caribbean Campaign 1803-1810; Central India Campaign; Chesapeake Bay Campaign; Chesapeake Campaign during the War of 1812; Conquest of Scinde; Frontiers of Niagara - Burlington Heights, Fort Schlosser, Stoney Creek, Beaver Dam during the War of 1812; Haitian Revolution; Helder Expedition of the Anglo-Russian Invasion of Holland during the War of the Second Coalition; Indian Rebellion of 1857; Invasion of Ceylon (Sri Lanka); Invasion of Corsica; Invasion of Danish West Indies; Invasion of Guadeloupe; Invasion of Isle de France during the Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811; Invasion of Java; Invasion of Naples during the War of the Third Coalition; Invasion of the Cape Colony; Java Campaign 1806-1807; Mediterranean Campaign during the War of the Second Coalition; Persian Gulf campaign of 1819; Raid on Port of Saint-Paul during the Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811; Second Capture of Serampure during the English Wars; Siege of Bharatpur; Siege of Pondicherry; Siege of Santa Maura during the Adriatic Campaign 1807-1814; Siege of Seringapatam; Siege of Tarragona; Surrender of Tranquebar during the English Wars; Taiping Rebellion; Various campaigns covering Banda, Broach, Buenos Aires, Cape, Colombo and its Dependencies, Copenhagen, Diamenti, Egypt, Fort Biugura, Guadaloupe, Helder, Isle of France, Java, Monte Video, Martinique, Niagara, Pondicherry, Port au Prince, St Lucia, Senegal, Symons Bay, St. Martins, Tobago, Trinidad, Walcheron, Waterloo and Paris; Various encounters including the capture of French Ships off Gorée Island of the Brig 'Diligence', the Schooner 'Triton', the Spanish Ship 'l'Amable Mariana', the Danish Sloop 'Louisa', the Schooner 'George', the French Ship 'L'Esperance' and the Brig 'Eliza'; Waterloo Campaign and the Capture of Paris during the War of the Seventh Coalition; Waterloo Campaign during the War of the Seventh Coalition

The records also cover awards for the capture of the following ships: Brig 'Anaconda'; Brig 'Fortuna'; Brig 'St Antonio'; Brig 'Stephanie'; Dutch Ship 'Batavia'; Dutch ship 'Rensberg'; Maria Francisca'; Maria Theresa'; Portuguese Schooner 'Donnaluzia'; Schooner 'Alexander' in the River Gambia; Schooner 'Atlas'; Schooner 'Carmen' in the River Gambia; Schooner 'Desemperados' in the River Gambia; Schooner 'L'Esperanza'; Schooner 'Tantativa' in the River Gambia; Ship 'Coeurs Unis'; Ship 'Countess of Harcourt'; Ship 'Floridana'; Ship 'General Victor'; Ship 'Jack'; Ship 'L'Esperence'; Ship 'Maria Dolores'; Ship 'Merced'; Ship 'Vincidor'; Spanish Schooner 'San Jose' in the River Gambia; Vessel 'Eagle'; Vessel 'Growler'

Comprehensive collection offers unprecedented access to early 20th-century property records across 1,400 square miles

TheGenealogist has announced the release of the Lloyd George Domesday Survey for Essex, a significant addition to its growing collection of historical property records. This extensive dataset contains 356,265 records of occupiers, owners and organisations, all meticulously pinned to annotated maps.

This brings the total coverage of the Lloyd George Domesday Survey to over 11,000 square miles, exclusive to TheGenealogist!

Named after David Lloyd George, the Chancellor of the Exchequer responsible for the 1910 Finance Act, the Lloyd George Domesday Survey was a comprehensive land valuation of England and Wales. The resulting records offer genealogists and historians an invaluable insight into property ownership and occupation in the early 20th century.

The Lloyd George Domesday Survey Map for Maldon, Essex

"From the coastline, the countryside and up to the capital, these records provide an invaluable resource for those researching family and social history in Essex," said Mark Bayley head of online content at TheGenealogist. "By combining detailed records with precise geographical data, Map Explorer enables researchers to visualise exactly where their ancestors lived and understand the area they called home."

The collection features:

• 356,265 individual records of property occupiers, owners, and organisations

• Annotated maps covering 1,400 square miles of Essex

• Detailed property descriptions and valuations

• Names and addresses of both owners and occupiers

This release forms part of TheGenealogist's ongoing commitment to digitising and preserving these historically significant records. The Lloyd George Domesday Survey is particularly valuable as it records the exact locations of properties, making these property records an essential source for genealogical, social and historical research.

Researchers can access the Lloyd George Domesday Survey records for Essex through TheGenealogist's Diamond Subscription, where they can be searched by name, address, or through MapExplorer^TM, allowing for precise research across this historic county.

For more information about TheGenealogist's Lloyd George Domesday Record Collection or to begin searching these records, visit: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/1910/

The Courtauld family, one of Britain’s greatest industrial success stories can be found in this release - read their story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/courtaulds-a-crape-british-industry-8018/

Aintree Racecourse to host a new event on 3rd May 2025

TheFamilyHistoryShow.com is thrilled to announce the expansion of its popular genealogy event series to Liverpool. The new show will take place at the iconic Aintree Racecourse on 3rd May 2025, providing family history enthusiasts in the North West with a unique opportunity to explore their roots.

This addition to the show calendar complements the well-established events in London and the Midlands, further cementing The Family History Show's position as the UK's leading genealogy event organiser.

Key highlights of the Liverpool show will include:

• Expert speakers covering a wide range of genealogy topics

• Exhibitors showcasing the latest in family history research tools and services

• One-on-one consultations with experienced genealogists

• Networking opportunities for both novice and experienced researchers

"We're excited to bring The Family History Show to Liverpool," said Paul Bayley of TheFamilyHistoryShow.com. "The North West has a rich history and a passionate community of family researchers. This new event will provide them with fantastic access to talks, experts, and networking opportunities."

The Liverpool show joins The Family History Shows 2025 lineup of events:

• Online - 8th February 2025

• Midlands - 15th March 2025

• Liverpool - 3rd May 2025

• London - 4th October 2025

Early bird tickets for the Liverpool show are available now from TheFamilyHistoryShow.com/Liverpool. 

Exhibitor spaces are limited and expected to sell quickly, so make sure you take advantage of the early bird prices for exhibitors and book your space here: TheFamilyHistoryShow.com.

TheGenealogist has announced a significant expansion of its historical records collection with the release of over 5 million directory records, primarily focusing on the post World War II era. This extensive collection provides researchers with invaluable insights into the lives of residents and businesses of individuals across the United Kingdom during a transformative period in British history.

The new release includes comprehensive directories from major cities and regions throughout the UK from the mid-19th century to the 1950s. These directories serve as crucial resources for genealogists, historians and researchers interested in tracing family histories, understanding local businesses and exploring social history.

Winston Churchill in the London Post Office Directory, Vol. 1, 1922

The collection is particularly notable for its inclusion of:

- Residential names and addresses

- Professional listings

- Street directories

- Commercial and trade directories

- Business advertisements

- Municipal information

Mark Bayley, Head of Content at TheGenealogist, states: “With the 1931 Census lost to fire, no 1941 Census taken due to the war and the 1951 census under wraps for another 25 years, these directories serve as an invaluable substitute—acting like a head-of-household census for residential and business listings. Offering a fascinating glimpse into life in wartime and post-war Britain, they provide detailed information on individuals and businesses during a period of significant social change, making them an essential resource for family historians and researchers alike.”

For more information about TheGenealogist's Directory Records collection or to begin searching these records, visit.https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/directories/ 

We discovered the Scottish explorer Isobel Wylie Hutchison with this release - read her story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/a-scottish-lady-in-the-arctic-the-remarkable-life-of-isobel-wylie-hutchison-7987/

Covering 1,000 Square Miles with 128,485 individuals and organisations

TheGenealogist in partnership with The National Archives have launched their expansive Lloyd George Domesday Record Collection for Dorset. The collection features historic maps from 1910 with pins representing records on its innovative MapExplorerTM.

Step back in time and visit “Hardy Country” with TheGenealogist’s latest release, The Lloyd George Domesday for Dorset. These detailed records of house occupancy and ownership cover the rural county in the run up to the First World War. They capture Dorset at a pivotal moment, when the great houses still dominated the landscape and Thomas Hardy himself walked the ancient streets of Dorchester.

Above: Thomas Hardy in the new records

Key Features:

• This release covers 1,000 square miles of Dorset with historic maps and details of 128,485 individuals and organisations

• Records have been linked to pins on detailed maps

• Interactive MapExplorerTM technology lets you explore the area from a century ago

• The Lloyd George Domesday Survey coverage now includes: Greater London, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire

• The project now covers over 9,600 square miles and nearly 4 million individuals and organisations

The survey, originally commissioned by David Lloyd George to assess land value for taxation, provides a unique snapshot of life between 1910 and 1915.

Mark Bayley, Head of Online Content at TheGenealogist, said: "These records are a fantastic insight for family and social historians alike. They capture Dorset at a pivotal moment just before the dramatic social transformations brought by the First World War that would forever change rural England."

The Lloyd George Domesday survey is now available to Diamond subscribers on TheGenealogist.co.uk.

In these records is Thomas Hardy - read his story here:  https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/thomas-hardy-7982/