Welcome to the Family History Social

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/

TheGenealogist has added 292,259 newly opened records to its 1939 Register, most of whom were born in 1924. This release includes British comedy legends Benny Hill and Tony Hancock who were recorded living near each other in Bournemouth at the outbreak of WWII.

This significant update enhances TheGenealogist's comprehensive collection of historical records, providing valuable insights into wartime Britain and those who would later shape British entertainment. The 1939 Register, taken on 29th September 1939, serves as a crucial census substitute, capturing detailed information about the civilian population just after the outbreak of World War II.

The newly released records reveal a fascinating snapshot of two future comedy icons in their teenage years. Both Hill and Hancock, then aged 15, were living in Bournemouth. Their distinct comedy styles helped define British entertainment in the post-war era.

"This release not only adds significant genealogical value but also provides unique insights into the early lives of some of Britain's most beloved entertainers," says Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist. "Finding Hill and Hancock recorded just a stone's throw from each other during this pivotal moment in history adds a compelling narrative to our understanding of British entertainment history."

The update is available immediately to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, offering researchers and family historians access to these valuable historical records.

In these records is Benny Hill - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/benny-hill-7957/

Leading family history website TheGenealogist has announced the release of 39 comprehensive directories spanning 1935-1940, covering over 6 million individuals and businesses. This significant addition provides family historians and researchers with access to information about individuals and companies in the run up and early days of World War II.

The newly digitised collection includes:

• Over 6 million individuals and businesses

• 39 detailed directories covering various regions

• Searchable information about residences and commercial establishments

Lyndhurst High Street, from TheGenealogist’s Image Archive

"This release represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive historical records to genealogists and family historians," says Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist. "These directories offer a unique glimpse into the lives of people and businesses operating during the outbreak of the Second World War, providing invaluable context for family researchers."

Users can access these new records through TheGenealogist's advanced search system, which allows for both broad and detailed searches across the entire collection.

In these records is Agatha Christie, Queen of Mystery - read her story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/agatha-christie-7954/