FamilySearch has published its latest update of historical sources, and in March, more than 30 million new records have been made available to genealogists worldwide - completely free of charge.
The update includes collections from 28 different countries and consists of a wide range of source types, including censuses, church books, civil registrations and court documents. Many of the records have also been indexed, making it possible to search directly for names in the material.
The biggest expansion in this round concerns Ireland, where over 21 million court records from Petty Sessions Courts are now available. These local courts dealt with minor offenses and civil cases in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The records can contain details of disputes, fines and local events - often with names of people not otherwise found in more traditional genealogical sources.
In addition, several million new records from the USA have been added, as well as around two million census and civil registrations from Italy. Collections from a number of other countries have also been expanded, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Hungary and the Philippines.
FamilySearch updates its database every month in collaboration with archives and institutions around the world. For genealogists, such updates mean that new names and families can suddenly appear in searches - and in the best case, help solve old genealogical riddles.
