Friday, June 26, 2026

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 20 to 26 June 2026

  Each week, I try to keep track of the number of Full-Text Search collections (indexed, searchable) and the Images collections (browsable but not searchable) -- see Sections 1) and 2) below. In addition, I list the genealogy historical record collections (often name-indexed) that are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list  --  See Section 3.

1)  As of 26 June 2026, there are now 6,658 searchable and full-text transcribed image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, a decrease of 6 from last week. There are over 2 BILLION "results" in the collections.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.


 2)  As of 26 June 2026, there are now 24,823 browsable (some indexed, none transcribed) image lections on FamilySearch Images this week, an increase of 5 from last week. There are over 6.070 BILLION images in these collections.  There are 2,118 collections from the United States, 7,077 from Europe and 223 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.


3)  As of 26 June 2026, there are 3,445 Historical Record Collections (many indexed, many browsable) on FamilySearch (an increase of 10 from last week):

The Deleted, Added and Updated Historical Record Collections this week include:

--- Collections Deleted ---

--- Collections Added ---

*  Italy, Florence, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000542); 23,317 indexed records with 11,871 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Frosinone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1897-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000614); 107 indexed records with 45 record images, ADDED 23-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Genova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482828); 1,378 indexed records with 856 record images, ADDED 23-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Lanusei, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1911-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000598); 9,670 indexed records with 5,654 record images, ADDED 23-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Melfi, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1820-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000608); 192,166 indexed records with 132,659 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026

*  Italy, Nuoro Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000541); 7,031 indexed records with 4,154 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Oristano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000606); 20,549 indexed records with 47,594 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Pisa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000548); 288,153 indexed records with 143,892 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Saluzzo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1809-1949 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000604); 77,723 indexed records with 76,212 record images, ADDED 24-Jun-2026
*  Italy, Torino, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000602); 69,339 indexed records with 21,774 record images, ADDED 23-Jun-2026

--- Collections Updated ---

Argentina, Capital Federal, Census, 1855 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469065); 261,813 indexed records with 7,630 record images (was 261,772 records with 7,630 images), UPDATED 26-Jun-2026
Australia, South Australia, School Admission Registers, 1873-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2862204); 213,801 indexed records with 10,759 record images (was 213,799 records with 10,759 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026
Brazil, Cemetery Records, 1799-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2137269); 1,585,075 indexed records with 150,972 record images (was 1,527,342 records with 150,972 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Canada, Border Entry Lists, 1908-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4123954); 942,161 indexed records with 76,786 record images (was 939,553 records with 76,737 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026
Delaware, U.S. District and Circuit Courts, Naturalization Records, 1817-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000142); 31,661 indexed records with 22,530 record images (was 31,655 records with 22,526 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026

Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 272,435,268 indexed records with 789,280 record images (was 268,931,463 records with 790,893 images), UPDATED 26-Jun-2026
Great Britain, War Office Registers, 1772-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2366620); 395,375 indexed records with 3,617 record images (was 1,010,565 records with 3,617 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026
Hawaii, Deed Records, 1846-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3478266); 75,162 indexed records with 37,464 record images (was 74,956 records with 35,538 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026
Italy, Agrigento, Agrigento, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946817); 209,419 indexed records with 852,371 record images (was 40,037 records with 852,371 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046896); 72,772 indexed records with 2,361,451 record images (was 742,051 records with 2,361,451 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026

Italy, Bari, Bari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043445); 109,088 indexed records with 1,626,044 record images (was 301,213 records with 1,626,044 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947797); 14,443 indexed records with 5,914,917 record images (was 891,877 records with 5,914,917 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043426); 159,208 indexed records with 1,791,108 record images (was 620,818 records with 1,791,108 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Caltanissetta, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1803-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000544); 176,986 indexed records with 65,457 record images (was 27,557 records with 10,464 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Caserta, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1866 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2718545); 1,603 indexed records with 4,543,698 record images (was 17,474 records with 4,543,698 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026

Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043496); 350,193 indexed records with 434,962 record images (was 747,768 records with 434,962 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Foggia, Lucera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043436); 39,937 indexed records with 706,597 record images (was 20,412 records with 706,597 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Genova, Census, 1626-1926 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000448); 32,074 indexed records with 1,089 record images (was 13,295 records with 416 images), UPDATED 26-Jun-2026
Italy, Gorizia, Census, 1742-1895 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000449); 17,250 indexed records with 5,241 record images (was 17,250 records with 4,396 images), UPDATED 26-Jun-2026
Italy, Grosseto, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2015751); 74,903 indexed records with 393,814 record images (was 113,911 records with 393,814 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026

Italy, Lucca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000550); 190,486 indexed records with 82,088 record images (was 18,654 records with 8,705 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Macerata, Macerata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043838); 141,950 indexed records with 792,563 record images (was 640,524 records with 792,563 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Massa E Carrera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000545); 136,431 indexed records with 61,879 record images (was 2,360 records with 1,232 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Massa e Carrara, Massa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043539); 88,522 indexed records with 513,674 record images (was 138,337 records with 513,674 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Matera, Matera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043814); 180,912 indexed records with 237,814 record images (was 201,255 records with 237,814 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026

Italy, Napoli, Torre Annunziata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947578); 223,083 indexed records with 41,398 record images (was 134,522 records with 41,398 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Padova, Padova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946877); 56,883 indexed records with 1,745,536 record images (was 1,141,213 records with 1,745,536 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1825-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000552); 180,460 indexed records with 68,192 record images (was 126,310 records with 46,650 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947613); 74,921 indexed records with 1,021,654 record images (was 132,859 records with 1,021,654 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Pavia, Pavia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1806-1812, 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043830); 124,855 indexed records with 306,382 record images (was 265,040 records with 306,382 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026

Italy, Pavia, Voghera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057676); 46,798 indexed records with 165,651 record images (was 0 records with 165,651 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Perugia, Perugia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043831); 100,878 indexed records with 405,632 record images (was 39,264 records with 405,632 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Pisa, Pisa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043812); 104,017 indexed records with 618,446 record images (was 219,442 records with 618,446 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493462); 45,380 indexed records with 834,726 record images (was 38,616 records with 834,726 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Pordenone, Pordenone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043819); 280,842 indexed records with 236,209 record images (was 0 records with 236,209 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026

Italy, Potenza, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1864-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000546); 29,598 indexed records with 10,064 record images (was 15,644 records with 5,060 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Potenza, Lagonegro, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947686); 287,137 indexed records with 154,261 record images (was 44,553 records with 154,261 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Italy, Ragusa, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1900-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068330); Browse 1,460,681 Images only, no index (was 7,104 records with 1,460,681 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947700); 119,454 indexed records with 1,759,182 record images (was 698,358 records with 1,759,182 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026
Italy, Reggio Calabria, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1784-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068331); Browse 2,245,171 Images only, no index (was 108,490 records with 2,245,171 images), UPDATED 25-Jun-2026

Italy, Teramo, Teramo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947829); 148,644 indexed records with 425,736 record images (was 192,334 records with 425,736 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Treviso, Treviso, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947831); 31,698 indexed records with 427,232 record images (was 348,515 records with 427,232 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Umbria, Perugia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1810-1978 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000549); 150,789 indexed records with 65,370 record images (was 16,177 records with 5,012 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
Italy, Venezia, Venezia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043809); 453,230 indexed records with 628,744 record images (was 1,025,162 records with 628,744 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026

New York, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2060123); 185,379 indexed records with 2,187,206 record images (was 5,236,621 records with 2,187,206 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026
North Dakota, Red River Valley Genealogical Society, Pioneer Files, 1880-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3155904); 5,545 indexed records with 920 record images (was 5,531 records with 920 images), UPDATED 26-Jun-2026
Pennsylvania, Western District, Naturalizations, 1820-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000034); 112,856 indexed records with 332,930 record images (was 423,123 records with 332,767 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026
Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1852584); 656,976 indexed records with 20,274,621 record images (was 525,402 records with 20,274,621 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Portugal, Aveiro, Passport Registers, 1882-1965 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1923672); 165,880 indexed records with 51,306 record images (was 165,840 records with 51,306 images), UPDATED 22-Jun-2026

Ukraine, Odessa, Census, 1897 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2380520); 43,896 indexed records with 67,250 record images (was 163,988 records with 67,250 images), UPDATED 24-Jun-2026
Utah, Box Elder, Brigham City Family History Center, Obituary Collection, 1930-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3657641); 350,017 indexed records with 24,559 record images (was 350,005 records with 24,814 images), UPDATED 23-Jun-2026

--- Collections with new images ---

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Civil Registration, 1861-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000041); 1 indexed records with 111,712 record images (was 1 records with 111,710 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 454,228 record images (was 1 records with 454,226 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,749,963 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,748,723 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024
United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000145); 1 indexed records with 28,206,224 record images (was 1 records with 28,205,712 images), last updated 22-Jul-2024

--- Collections with images removed ---

Uruguay, Passenger Lists, 1888-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2691993); 1,572,940 indexed records with 158,305 record images (was 1,914,849 records with 158,435 images), last updated 11-Dec-2025

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1704-1916 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496123); 83,876 indexed records with 893,752 record images (was 1,638,075 records with 893,752 images), last updated 28-Jan-2026
California, Birth Index, 1905-1995 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001879); Index only (24,589,379 records), no images (was 24,589,387 records with 0 images), last updated 01-Mar-2012
England, Cheshire, Bishop's Transcripts, 1598-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469935); Index only (1,012,513 records), no images (was 2,151,994 records with 0 images), last updated 26-Dec-2025
England, Cheshire, Parish Registers, 1538-2000 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1614792); Index only (648,543 records), no images (was 2,854,942 records with 0 images), last updated 26-Dec-2025
Honduras, Civil Registration, 1841-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2135627); 1,537,947 indexed records with 337,976 record images (was 12,532,093 records with 337,976 images), last updated 22-May-2026

Illinois, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2832983); 104,246 indexed records with 2,115,152 record images (was 2,118,577 records with 2,115,152 images), last updated 29-Apr-2025
Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928860); 2,926,409 indexed records with 742,594 record images (was 11,820,050 records with 742,594 images), last updated 06-Feb-2026
Philippines, Deaths and Burials, 1726-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1500714); Index only (8,603 records), no images (was 2,786,099 records with 0 images), last updated 27-Jan-2026
Spain, Gerona, Municipal Records, 1566-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2015355); Browse 390,067 Images only, no index (was 1,328,675 records with 390,067 images), last updated 14-May-2026
Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949342); Index only (17,102,109 records), no images (was 17,102,110 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Feb-2012

Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1681015); Index only (250,519 records), no images (was 1,339,376 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Nov-2023
Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1681052); Index only (244,374 records), no images (was 1,155,237 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jul-2021
United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,600,579 records), no images (was 875,600,588 records with 0 images), last updated 23-Dec-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,858,174 records), no images (was 413,858,194 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024
United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968530); 877,975 indexed records with 24,999,338 record images (was 32,587,072 records with 24,999,338 images), last updated 09-Sep-2025

Utah, Death Certificates, 1904-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1747615); 136,419 indexed records with 301,799 record images (was 325,026 records with 301,799 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
West Virginia, Marriages, 1780-1970 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1408729); 190,572 indexed records with 35,261 record images (was 1,470,588 records with 35,261 images), last updated 07-Apr-2026

===================================

My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

Marshall notes that there are:

  • 3,445 Historical Record Collection entries
  • 0 removed entries
  • 10  added entries 
  • 52 updated entries
  • 5 entries with more or fewer images 
  • 17 entries with more or fewer records
Marshall's list shows 3,445 Historical Record Collections this week, an increase of 10 collections. The image above shows 3,445 collections, so the website number is in sync with Marshall's list number.

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See previous FamilySearch-related blog posts in        https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FamilySearch

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Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 20 to 26 June 2026

  The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by "Date Updated" during the period from 20 to 26 June 2026: 


The ADDED and Updated collections include:

  • Ireland, 1926 Census of the Irish Free State; 2,972,451 indexed records with record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This collection contains the 1926 Census of the Irish Free State taken on the 18th of April 1926. The collection is available for free on Ancestry.
  • U.S., Navy Muster Rolls, 1949-1971; 107,718,553 indexed records with record images, Updated 6/25/2026. These records include detailed muster rolls listing personnel assigned to ships, stations, and activities for the U.S. Navy, 1949-1971.
  • Norway, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 272,892 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Norway. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 
  • Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 12,727,869 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Australia and New Zealand. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 
  • Mexico, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 99,668 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Mexico. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present.
  • Germany, Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; 4,687,580 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Germany. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 
  • Global, Find a Grave® Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current; 24,707,156 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® for burials at sea and other select burial locations. 
  • UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current; 29,315,787 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The records are dated between the 1300s and the present. 
  • Brazil, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 320,450 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Brazil. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 
  • Sweden, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 1,174,817 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Sweden. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present.
  • Italy, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; 497,497 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Italy. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 
  • Canada, Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; 12,706,670 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Canada. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 
  • U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; 186,791,984 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/25/2026. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from the United States. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 
  • Oise, France, Census, 1806-1921; 6,816,646 indexed records with record images,   ADDED 6/24/2026. This collection contains census records from Oise, France, between the years of 1806 and 1921. Most records are in French, but some are in Latin.
  • Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., Confederate States of America Quartermaster Department, 1861-1864; 8,070 indexed records with record images, ADDED 6/24/2026. 
  • Nièvre, France, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1622-1922; 3,345,056 indexed records with record images, ADDED  6/24/2026. This collection contains civil registries of births, marriages, and deaths between 1622 and 1922 in Nièvre, France. Most records are in French, but some records may be in German or Latin.
  • Haute Savoie, France, Census, 1861-1911; 1,702,298 indexed records with record images, ADDED 6/24/2026. This collection contains census records from Haute-Savoie, France, between the years of 1861 and 1911. 
  • England and Wales, Tithe Maps and Apportionments, 1775-1936; 14,668,539 indexed records with record images, ADDED 6/24/2026. This collection contains tithe apportionment records and tithe maps for England and Wales between 1775 and 1936. 
  • U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current; 218,551,880 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/23/2026. This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain.
  • UK and Ireland, Obituary Index, 2004-Current; 8,700,035 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/23/2026. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published in the United Kingdom and Ireland between 2004 and the present.
  • U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current; 153,357,997 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/23/2026. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published by cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States between 1847 and the present.
  • Canada, Obituary Collection, 1898-Current; 12,314,132 indexed records without record images, Updated 6/23/2026. This database is a compilation of obituaries published in Canadian newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain.
  • New Zealand, New Zealand Gazette, 1859-1922; 2,288,024 indexed records with record images, ADDED 6/22/2026. This collection contains editions of The New Zealand Gazette published between 1876 and 1886.
  • U.S., Descendants of Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1706-1900; 16,571 indexed records without record images, ADDED  6/22/2026. This collection is an index of a family tree created by Ancestry’s professional genealogists from the book series Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

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The complete Ancestry.com Card Catalog is at https://search.ancestry.com/search/CardCatalog.aspx.

By my count, there are 7 NEW record collections ADDED this past week, per the list above. There are now 33,949 collections available as of 26 June, an INCREASE of 7 from last week. 

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Disclosure: I pay for an All-Access subscription from Ancestry.com. In past years, Ancestry.com provided a complimentary All Access subscription, an autosomal DNA test, material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and hosted events and meals that I attended in Salt Lake City.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/06/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record_0176309761.html

 Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Facebook, X, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all Comments are moderated so they may not appear immediately.

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Ask AI: "Describe Jonathan Oatley’s Work As a Minister and Stonecutter in 1840-1870"

 I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with information about the work of my 3rd great-grandfather Jonathan Oatley (1791-1872) of East Killingly, Connecticut -- he was a Baptist minister and a stonecutter.   The ABC Biography for Jonathan Oatley is in ABC Biography of #46 Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) of Rhode Island and Connecticut.

1)  My Prompt for Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.6 was:  "Jonathan Oatley was both a Baptist minister and a "stonecutter" with a quarry near Killingly Old Pond in Connecticut in the 1840 to 1870 time frame. Please describe how Jonathan worked in the quarry, what products did he and his sons produce and estimate the costs, who were his customers, and how did his stonecutting work influence his preaching."

(AI NotebookLM infographic -- Jonathan Oatley's Work from 1840-1870)

2)  Here is the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.6 response:


Rev. Jonathan Oatley: Minister and Stonecutter

Based on historical records and the context of 19th-century Connecticut granite quarrying, here's a detailed picture of Jonathan Oatley's dual vocation:

Working the Quarry (1840s-1870s)

The Physical Labor

In the 19th century, quarrying required removing surface soil and underbrush by wheelbarrow, finding suitable seams, and drilling holes by hand. Black powder was used to open seams with minimal damage, whereas dynamite would shatter the stone into useless fragments.

Jonathan and his sons would have worked the "Oatley Ledges" near Killingly Old Pond using these labor-intensive methods:

  1. Extracting the stone: Hand-drilling holes for black powder charges, carefully blasting to preserve large, usable blocks

  2. Splitting and shaping: Using wedges, feathers (metal shims), chisels, and hammers to split granite along its natural grain

  3. Rough cutting: Shaping blocks into the desired dimensions for their various products

  4. Fine finishing: Hand-carving details, smoothing surfaces, and cutting precise edges for finished products

The work was physically demanding, dangerous, and required both strength and skill. Census records show Jonathan listed as a "stone cutter" (1850) and "mason" (1860), while his son Joseph was also a "stone cutter" (1870). This was year-round work when weather permitted, though winter would have slowed production considerably.

Products and Prices

What the Oatleys Made

According to family records, the Oatleys were known for producing:

  1. Church steps and architectural elements: The document specifically mentions they "made long granite steps for the church in 'Kentuck'" which were later moved to the Union Baptist Church in East Killingly—testament to their quality and durability.

  2. Gravestones and monuments: Connecticut stonecutters in the mid-1800s produced gravestones and monuments as basic finished dimension stones that made up the majority of granite shed production. This would have been a steady business for a minister who knew every family in the community and surrounding area.

  3. Building stone: Foundation stones, lintels, sills, and other architectural elements for local construction

  4. Functional stonework: Possibly millstones, mounting blocks, hitching posts, and other utilitarian items

Estimated Costs (1840s-1860s)

Precise pricing from the 1840s-1860s is difficult to establish, but we can make educated estimates based on later records and accounting for inflation:

Gravestones and Monuments: In the mid-to-late 1800s, a simple upright granite headstone would have cost approximately $5-$25 depending on size and carving detail. More elaborate monuments might range from $25-$100. By the latter part of the 1800s, granite usage greatly increased on larger simple headstones and obelisks with less detailed carving.

Church steps and architectural work: Custom-cut long granite steps for a church building would have been a premium product, likely costing $50-$200 for a complete set, representing weeks of skilled labor.

Building stone: Rough-cut building blocks might sell for $0.50-$2.00 per cubic foot, depending on quality and finish.

For context, the 1850 census shows Jonathan's real property valued at $1,000, indicating a modest but stable income from his combined ministerial and stonecutting work.

Customers

Jonathan's customer base would have included:

  1. Local church congregations: Both for construction projects and memorial stones for deceased members—Jonathan's pastoral role gave him natural connections to this market

  2. Families in East Killingly and surrounding towns: For gravestones, monuments, and family memorials. As a respected minister who had performed baptisms, weddings, and funerals, Jonathan would have been a trusted choice for memorial work.

  3. Local builders and contractors: For foundation stones, steps, lintels, and other architectural elements

  4. Municipal projects: Possibly bridge abutments, public building foundations, and infrastructure work

  5. Fellow church members: Both from his Baptist congregation and the wider Christian community in Windham County

The fact that the Oatleys' work—particularly the church steps—survived removal and reinstallation suggests they built a reputation for quality craftsmanship that would have attracted customers through word-of-mouth in the close-knit rural Connecticut community.

How Stonecutting Influenced His Preaching

The combination of minister and stonecutter was not uncommon in 19th-century rural America, where Baptist preachers in the 19th century often needed to support themselves through trades, as church discipline and traditional expectations for ministerial support were changing during this era. This dual vocation would have profoundly shaped Jonathan's ministry:

1. Biblical Metaphors Made Concrete

Jonathan's daily work with stone would have enriched his sermons with vivid imagery:

  • Christ as the "cornerstone" wasn't abstract theology—he cut cornerstones

  • Building one's house upon the rock had literal meaning to a man who knew which stone would hold and which would crack

  • The "stone the builders rejected" had workshop reality

  • Peter ("the rock") and the church built upon solid foundation gained tangible significance

2. Understanding Through Manual Labor

Working alongside his sons in the quarry gave Jonathan:

  • Empathy for his congregation: Most were farmers, artisans, and laborers. He shared their physical exhaustion, their callused hands, their understanding of honest work

  • Credibility: He wasn't a gentleman minister removed from common life—he knew what it meant to earn bread by the sweat of his brow

  • Practical wisdom: Stonecutting taught patience (you can't rush granite), persistence (hard stone yields only to sustained effort), and precision (one misplaced blow can ruin weeks of work)

3. The Theology of Craftsmanship

Creating something permanent from raw stone paralleled spiritual formation:

  • Rough stone = unregenerate soul

  • Careful shaping = sanctification through discipline

  • The finished monument = the transformed Christian life

  • Just as hidden flaws in stone only appear under the chisel, spiritual weaknesses emerge under trial

4. Memorial Ministry

Creating gravestones for church families gave Jonathan a unique pastoral role. He would have:

  • Consoled families in their grief while discussing memorial designs

  • Selected scripture verses to carve into monuments

  • Literally shaped the physical memory of the deceased

  • Created lasting tributes that preached sermons long after he was gone—including his own gravestone, which still stands in Bartlett Cemetery

5. Economic Reality and Spiritual Independence

His trade freed him from complete dependence on church salary, which was crucial given:

  • The 1847 church exclusion episode—his stonecutting income provided stability during crisis

  • Questions over whether preachers should be paid for preaching divided Baptist churches in the 19th century

  • His ability to support a family of fourteen children required income beyond typical ministerial compensation

6. Teaching by Example

His sons followed him into both quarrying and church life, learning:

  • Dignity of manual labor

  • Integration of faith and work

  • Skill passed from father to son

  • That a minister's hands could be both calloused and consecrated

7. The Permanence of Faith

Working with granite—a material meant to last centuries—would have reinforced themes of:

  • Eternal truth versus temporary fashion

  • Foundations that endure

  • Faith that outlasts the storms

  • Legacy that transcends one lifetime

The church steps that survived the demolition of one building to serve another became a perfect metaphor for Jonathan's ministry: solid, enduring, useful, and still serving God's people long after the original context had changed.

Conclusion

Jonathan Oatley's life as both minister and stonecutter wasn't a divided existence but an integrated vocation. His work in the quarry didn't distract from his preaching—it deepened it. Every stone he cut, every monument he carved, every step he shaped was part of his ministry. When he stood in the pulpit on Sunday after working the ledges all week, his sermons carried the authenticity of a man who knew both the Word and the world, both Scripture and stone, both faith and the feel of granite under the chisel.

His death certificate listing his occupation as "Clergyman" rather than stonecutter suggests how the community remembered him—but the granite steps still serving the Union Baptist Church in East Killingly tell the fuller story of a man whose ministry was carved in both word and stone.

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3)  The Google NotebookLM Video Overview of this post is below. 

4)  As genealogists, we can usually find the 17th to 19th century town records, and the later census and vital records, for Massachusetts families, and we may find occupation, immigration, land and probate records. In addition, there are books and websites about the daily lives of people in those times.  The AI tools have been pre-trained on historical events, social history, geography, literature and other disciplines so they can provide information for questions like this one, and by 2025 they have the ability to search the Internet.  

5)  After I read these types of social history summaries, I wish that I could be a time traveler for one day to visit the Oatley family in Connecticut and witness their daily lives.  I'm glad that the general lifestyles and occupations are known from historical records and witness accounts.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver


Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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Findmypast Friday: Explore Over 1.4 Million New Additions

 I received this information from Findmypast today:

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There are exciting new transport records and pamphlets to discover this week.

Whether your ancestors stoked coal aboard a steam train or sat on a local government board, this week's varied additions may reveal a new detail about their story. As well as new transport records, we've added Portsmouth electoral records, government pamphlets and five brand new newspaper titles.

England, Great Central Railway Company

This new collection comprises 7,256 railway records from across the country, spanning 1857 to 1915.

England, Peak Forest Canal Company

This week's second new set contains 8,779 canal records, shedding light on the day-to-day running of the Peak Forest Canal Company between 1794 and 1835.

Britain, Local Government Board Pamphlets

There are also 1,461 pamphlets for you to explore this week, offering a fascinating insight into the workings of local governments in the years 1916 to 1918.

Hampshire, Portsmouth Electoral Registers

This week's biggest addition consists of over 1.4 million electoral register records for Portsmouth, Hampshire. These new records span the 19th and 20th centuries.

New pages from Dundee to Derry

Five brand new publications joined our archive this week. With a total of 302,734 new pages for you to explore, we also made updates 28 existing titles.

New titles:
  • City of London Illustrated, 1918
  • Fermanagh News and Ennniskillen Press, 1901-1910, 1912-1920
  • Freethinker’s Magazine, 1850-1851
  • High Peak Chronicle, 1906, 1908, 1910-1919
  • Yorkshire Advertiser and General Intelligencer, 1859-1869
Updated titles:
  • Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, 1894
  • Alcester Chronicle, 1913-1915, 1917-1919
  • Alloa Circular, 1890
  • Argyllshire Advertiser, 1986, 1988-1990, 1994
  • Ayrshire Post, 1926, 1936, 1973, 1976-1978, 1982-1985
  • Ayrshire Weekly News and Galloway Press, 1890
  • Birmingham Daily Post, 2001-2002
  • Bridge of Allan Gazette, 1951, 1953-1971
  • Bridge of Allan Reporter, 1888
  • Brighton Herald, 1853, 1878, 1887, 1895
  • Callander Advertiser, 1892-1911, 1935, 1951-1971
  • Cornish Times, 1861-1862, 1864-1865, 1868-1871, 1873-1876, 1878-1879, 1881-1887, 1890-1896, 1898-1910, 1912-1918
  • Cricket and Football Field, 1884-1885, 1890-1891, 1894-1907, 1909, 1912-1915
  • Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1995, 1997, 2003
  • East Kilbride News, 1996-1999
  • Forfar Dispatch, 1994
  • Galloway Advertiser and Wigtownshire Free Press, 1883-1884, 1887-1888, 1890-1892
  • Hamilton World, 1998-1999
  • Kilmarnock Standard, 1995-1999
  • Lancashire Evening Post, 1986, 1990
  • Leicester Sporting News, 1899-1907
  • Leinster Express, 1858-1870
  • Londonderry Standard, 1873-1876, 1878-1879, 1881-1882, 1885
  • Rutherglen Reformer, 1997-1999
  • Stirling Observer, 1836-1843, 1868-1874, 1878-1880, 1893-1901, 1903-1913, 1919-1938, 1946-1960, 1969-1970, 1975-1976, 1984-1985
  • Sunday Mail (Glasgow), 1989-1990, 1992
  • Tamworth Herald, 2000, 2004-2005
  • Wishaw Press, 1995-1999
A Family History of... Gallipoli

In this bonus episode, host Jen Baldwin explores how online naval records can help family historians to move past the headlines and connect with Royal Navy ancestors in new and exciting ways.  Watch on YouTube -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ5NP3es354

More on this topic:             english records

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See all of my posts about Findmypast at   https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FindMyPast

Disclosure: I have a complimentary subscription to Findmypast, and have accepted meals and services from Findmypast, as a Findmypast Ambassador. This has not affected my objectivity relative to Findmypast and its products.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/06/findmypast-friday-explore-over-14.html

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Thursday, June 25, 2026

Added and Updated MyHeritage Record Collections - Week of 19 to 25 June 2026

The following Record Collections were ADDED or Updated in the MyHeritage Collections Catalog during the week of  19 to 25 June 2026:


The number of collections at the top of the list shows 1,692 collections (an increase of 3) with  39,875,377,231 records (an increase of over 100 million records from last week - but it was 40,399,469,537 four weeks ago!).

Five weeks ago, the "Last Updated" list showed 7,550 collections.  What happened to over 5,800 collections that are not on any collection list?  See the list for three weeks ago in 

Added and Updated MyHeritage Record Collections - Week of 8 to 14 May 2026.


Something is very wrong with the "Last Updated" collection list!!!  Or did MyHeritage remove or combine over 5,800 record collections?

The Family Tree collections are not on the "Last Updated" list at all.  I collected the latest numbers for the Family Tree collections from the "Number of Records" list which does have the Family Tree collections (and a total of 1,692 collections).
 The number of entries in the family tree collections were last updated this week.  

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See previous Genea-Musings posts about MyHeritage record collections and features in https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/MyHeritage.com.

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Disclosure: I receive a complimentary PremiumPlus subscription to MyHeritage, and have received other material consideration in past years. I uploaded my autosomal DNA raw data to their DNA product. This does not affect my objective analysis of MyHeritage products. I am a paid subscriber to Family Tree Webinars and love it.

The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/06/added-and-updated-myheritage-record_01221144311.html

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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