Friday, December 26, 2025

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 20 to 26 December 2025

 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 December 2025, there are now 6,619 searchable image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase of 1 from last week. There are over 1.620 BILLION "results" in the collections. There are 868 collections from the United States, 147 for Canada, 236 for England, and 266 for Ireland. It is not possible to see which collections are new.  

2)  As of 19 December 2025, there are now 24,515 browsable (but not indexed or transcribed) image collections on FamilySearch Images this week, a decrease of 39 from last week. There are over 5.876 BILLION images in these collections.  There are 2,103 collections from the United States, 6,958 from Europe and 224 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.  I wonder where the removed collections go - to Full-Text Search and/or Historical Records?

3)  As of 26 December 2025, there are 3,429 historical record collections on FamilySearch (a decrease of 2 from last week) on the Signed In screen (and 3,429 on the Signed Out screen).

 The added, deleted, and updated collections this week from FamilySearch (from a list supplied by Marshall Clow):
-
-- Collections Deleted ---

Côte d'Ivoire, Death Records, 1918-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4491582); 797,563 indexed records with 1,216,919 record images, DELETED
Ghana, Census, 2010 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000267); 27,652 indexed records with 713,103 record images, DELETED

--- Collections Added ---

--- Collections Updated ---

Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2691991); 754,273 indexed records with 766,663 record images (was 759,280 records with 766,663 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Austria, Catholic Church Records, 1565-2007 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000002); 6,383,394 indexed records with 1,055,155 record images (was 6,383,394 records with 1,055,155 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Austria, Evangelical-Lutheran Church Records, 1783-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1393793); 260,233 indexed records with 42,522 record images (was 260,233 records with 42,522 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Austria, Marriages, 1722-1898 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520586); Index only (22,385 records), no images (was 23,868 records with 0 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Austria, Vienna, Jewish Registers of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1784-1938 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2028320); 456,871 indexed records with 206,316 record images (was 469,103 records with 206,316 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025

Bolivia, Catholic Church Records, 1566-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922463); 9,834,032 indexed records with 1,649,601 record images (was 9,837,874 records with 1,649,601 images), UPDATED 21-Dec-2025
Brazil, São Paulo, Civil Registration, 1925-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2765317); 4,520,372 indexed records with 21,090,537 record images (was 4,521,275 records with 21,090,537 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Canada Census, 1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000285); 357,200 indexed records with 7,589 record images (was 360,440 records with 7,589 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Canada, Nova Scotia, Deaths, 1890-1955 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2251294); 280,653 indexed records with 251,097 record images (was 280,653 records with 251,097 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Cape Verde, Catholic Church Records, 1787-1957 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2246703); 44,934 indexed records with 105,781 record images (was 46,943 records with 105,781 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025

Chile, Cemetery Records, 1701-2021 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1428897); 5,899,344 indexed records with 3,675,058 record images (was 5,600,036 records with 3,675,058 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040054); 7,025,204 indexed records with 1,421,761 record images (was 6,974,037 records with 1,421,761 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Democratic Republic of the Congo, National Identity Cards, 1884-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000100); 627,378 indexed records with 10,089,338 record images (was 626,000 records with 10,089,338 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2025
Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 262,294,376 indexed records with 68,320,102 record images (was 261,300,369 records with 68,320,102 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473000); 23,518,081 indexed records with 29,147,064 record images (was 23,524,255 records with 29,147,064 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025

Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473009); Index only (5,285,690 records), no images (was 5,286,526 records with 0 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Germany, Württemberg, Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Catholic Church Records, 1520-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3499252); 7,192,555 indexed records with 894,947 record images (was 7,200,682 records with 892,334 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Ghana, Accra, Marriages, 1863-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1496208); 13,402 indexed records with 272,668 record images (was 13,402 records with 272,668 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Ghana, Census, 1984 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1615258); 514,611 indexed records with 904,488 record images (was 729,534 records with 904,488 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Civil Registration, 1796-2008 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2451045); 950,403 indexed records with 17,993 record images (was 950,402 records with 17,993 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025

Honduras, Civil Registration, 1841-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2135627); 6,348,917 indexed records with 337,976 record images (was 6,104,566 records with 337,976 images), UPDATED 26-Dec-2025
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1452460); 13,080,318 indexed records with 5,864,285 record images (was 13,081,517 records with 5,864,285 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Hungary, Jewish Vital Records Index, 1800-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1787825); 105,717 indexed records with 1,272 record images (was 112,774 records with 1,272 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Iowa, Church and Civil Marriages, 1837-1989 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2366605); Index only (9,720 records), no images (was 9,720 records with 0 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1674842); Index only (191,286 records), no images (was 191,286 records with 0 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025

Iowa, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2796750); Index only (604,912 records), no images (was 609,232 records with 0 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Ireland, Valuation Office Books, 1831-1856 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2329951); 7,284,359 indexed records with 183,144 record images (was 7,284,359 records with 183,144 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Italy, Cremona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1744-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1987747); 1,372,813 indexed records with 1,325,362 record images (was 1,374,518 records with 1,325,362 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Italy, Enna, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068343); 2,098,782 indexed records with 837,356 record images (was 1,840,389 records with 837,356 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Italy, Pesaro e Urbino, Urbino, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1977027); 210,024 indexed records with 709,381 record images (was 210,963 records with 709,381 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025

Korea, Collection of Genealogies, 1200-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1398522); Browse 2,519,576 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,519,576 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
Louisiana, First Registration Draft Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1916286); 211,896 indexed records with 792,451 record images (was 211,896 records with 792,451 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Mexico, Baptisms, 1560-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473011); Index only (29,488,965 records), no images (was 29,488,965 records with 0 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Mexico, Michoacán, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1883388); 5,392,827 indexed records with 5,283,986 record images (was 5,392,827 records with 5,283,986 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Mexico, Nayarit, Catholic Church Records, 1596-1967 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1883377); 725,410 indexed records with 499,694 record images (was 725,410 records with 499,694 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025

Mexico, Puebla, Catholic Church Records, 1545-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837906); 6,354,491 indexed records with 6,124,553 record images (was 6,354,491 records with 6,124,553 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Michigan, Naturalization Records, 1837-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2546149); 2,146,151 indexed records with 1,672,379 record images (was 1,864,006 records with 1,428,889 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
Missouri, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2759143); 931,934 indexed records with 958,644 record images (was 952,820 records with 958,644 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Montana, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2796752); 141,773 indexed records with 143,907 record images (was 144,402 records with 143,907 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1609792); 3,581,794 indexed records with 296,065 record images (was 7,264,551 records with 296,065 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025

New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate and Miscellaneous Records, 1842-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1865481); 138,505 indexed records with 5,946,421 record images (was 396,876 records with 5,946,421 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
New Zealand, Auckland, Albertland Index, 1862-1962 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2212661); Browse 30,652 Images only, no index (was 19,931 records with 30,652 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
New Zealand, Auckland, Port Albert, Membership Lists and Minutes from the Church of Christ, 1875-1926 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2367300); Browse 108 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 108 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
New Zealand, Central Otago, Cemetery Gravestones, 1861-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2115582); 3,196 indexed records with 6,615 record images (was 3,640 records with 6,615 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
New Zealand, Obituaries, 1844-1963 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2538222); 1,643,979 indexed records with 2,385 record images (was 1,768,692 records with 2,385 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025

Nicaragua, Civil Registration, 1809-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1601210); 978,508 indexed records with 2,591,542 record images (was 978,508 records with 2,591,542 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Ohio, World War I, Enrollment Cards, 1914-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3029263); 230,840 indexed records with 229,461 record images (was 230,784 records with 229,456 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
Poland, Radom, Roman Catholic Church Books, 1587-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1407440); 101,352 indexed records with 1,262,022 record images (was 101,352 records with 1,262,022 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Puerto Rico, San Juan, Cemetery Records, 1888-1988 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4376727); 183,102 indexed records with 84,309 record images (was 183,086 records with 84,499 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Russia, Births and Baptisms, 1755-1917 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771027); Index only (120,036 records), no images (was 117,646 records with 0 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025

Russia, Deaths and Burials, 1815-1917 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771042); Index only (94,633 records), no images (was 93,093 records with 0 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Russia, Lutheran Church Book Duplicates, 1833-1885 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469151); 563,045 indexed records with 128,317 record images (was 554,637 records with 128,317 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Russia, Marriages, 1793-1919 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771044); Index only (28,115 records), no images (was 27,641 records with 0 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1554443); 19,479,296 indexed records with 1,615,473 record images (was 20,589,633 records with 1,615,473 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025
Slovenia, Prekmurje and Međimurje, Civil Registers, 1895-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1985107); Browse 116,428 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 116,428 images), UPDATED 25-Dec-2025

South Africa, Cape Province, Civil Records, 1840-1972 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1779109); 2,796,060 indexed records with 2,216,270 record images (was 2,800,824 records with 2,216,270 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1468076); 1,213,168 indexed records with 355,318 record images (was 1,214,127 records with 355,318 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Civil Marriage Records, 1801-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2821281); 2,556,837 indexed records with 2,692,991 record images (was 2,557,010 records with 2,692,668 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1392488); 42,066 indexed records with 496,315 record images (was 42,066 records with 496,315 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives), 1660-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1478678); 2,884,069 indexed records with 45,728 record images (was 3,030,218 records with 45,728 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025

South Africa, Free State Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1848-1956 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1910846); 326,741 indexed records with 102,193 record images (was 352,351 records with 102,193 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg, Cemetery Records, 1840-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4453927); 2,272,299 indexed records with 294,557 record images (was 2,272,299 records with 288,920 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, KwaZulu Natal, Vital Records, 1868-1976 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3511741); 609,926 indexed records with 902,019 record images (was 609,370 records with 902,019 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Netherdutch Reformed Church Registers (Pretoria Archive), 1838-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2155416); 75,185 indexed records with 140,942 record images (was 241,951 records with 140,942 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1832-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3040532); 521,965 indexed records with 82,306 record images (was 523,894 records with 82,306 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025

South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, Estate Files 1846-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2573604); 343,581 indexed records with 316,664 record images (was 343,703 records with 316,664 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Transvaal, Civil Death, 1869-1954 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2998108); 938,224 indexed records with 1,081,282 record images (was 941,113 records with 1,081,693 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
South Africa, Western Cape, Deceased Estate Files, 1951-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4319131); 4,020 indexed records with 348,416 record images (was 4,476 records with 348,416 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2025
Sri Lanka, Colombo District, Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1677-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1780708); Browse 33,965 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 33,965 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
Ukraine, Births and Baptisms, 1784-1879 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771086); Index only (13,191 records), no images (was 13,516 records with 0 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025

United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,600,956 records), no images (was 875,600,958 records with 0 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2025
Utah, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2659402); 142,496 indexed records with 145,062 record images (was 144,517 records with 145,062 images), UPDATED 24-Dec-2025
World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms, 1534-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1783956); Index only (26,257 records), no images (was 26,906 records with 0 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025
World Miscellaneous Marriages, 1662-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1809045); Index only (23,551 records), no images (was 23,684 records with 0 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2025

--- Collections with new images ---

Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 454,046 record images (was 1 records with 454,031 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Maranhão, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 905,711 record images (was 1 records with 905,710 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Ireland, Census, 1901 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1626180); 4,379,702 indexed records with 958,066 record images (was 4,379,702 records with 957,937 images), last updated 11-Mar-2022
New York, State Census, 1915 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937454); 9,742,867 indexed records with 2,484,179 record images (was 9,742,867 records with 574,202 images), last updated 30-Nov-2020
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,723,747 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,723,546 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024

United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000145); 1 indexed records with 28,204,222 record images (was 1 records with 28,203,751 images), last updated 22-Jul-2024
Uruguay, Passenger Lists, 1888-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2691993); 1,914,849 indexed records with 158,435 record images (was 1,914,849 records with 115,438 images), last updated 11-Dec-2025
Wales, Flintshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1426674); 495,043 indexed records with 518,354 record images (was 495,043 records with 518,340 images), last updated 17-Dec-2025
West Virginia, Deaths, 1804-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417434); 2,220,736 indexed records with 2,374,856 record images (was 2,220,736 records with 2,374,607 images), last updated 16-Nov-2023
West Virginia, Marriages, 1780-1970 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1408729); 1,470,589 indexed records with 34,928 record images (was 1,470,589 records with 34,819 images), last updated 22-Jun-2022

--- Collections with images removed ---

England, Cambridge, Parish Registers, 1538-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3299384); 473,470 indexed records with 32,938 record images (was 473,470 records with 33,091 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Italy, Bologna, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2185174); 956,942 indexed records with 334,190 record images (was 956,942 records with 335,164 images), last updated 01-Dec-2025
United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records, 1761-2005 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4324570); 2,878,200 indexed records with 2,860,702 record images (was 2,878,200 records with 2,860,706 images), last updated 22-Sep-2021

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1726975); 27,313,615 indexed records with 12,659,776 record images (was 27,327,347 records with 12,659,776 images), last updated 08-Dec-2025
Texas, Marriages, 1966-2010 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2031191); Index only (7,606,128 records), no images (was 7,606,129 records with 0 images), last updated 05-Jun-2012
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,859,494 records), no images (was 413,859,496 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024

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

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:

  • 2 removed entries
  • 0  added entries 
  • 74 updated entries
  • 13 entries with more or fewer images 
  • 3 entries with more or fewer records

The FamilySearch website says there are 3,4291 total entries on the list (after signing in). Marshall's list says there are 3,429 (after signing in).  They are definitely in-sync this week.

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

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

The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2025 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 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 be posted immediately.

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Findndmypast Friday: New and Exclusive Naval Records

  I received this information from Findmypast today:

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


Discover our newest Royal Navy releases

Royal Navy stories are now at your fingertips, with a brand new and growing archive of naval records, published in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy. With three exciting new record sets, trace submariners as they slipped beneath the surface, casulties at sea, and family legacies forged in saltwater.


Was your ancestor a British submariner in the first half of the 20th century? These records trace the movements and postings of Royal Navy submariners from the First World War through to the Cold War, documenting where individuals served and when. Created by the Admiralty, submarine movement cards record a sailor’s attachment to specific submarines, shore bases, and depots, often noting dates of joining and leaving each posting. They reflect the highly mobile and closely managed nature of submarine service, with personnel frequently moving between boats, training establishments, and refit periods. For family historians, these cards help reconstruct an ancestor’s submarine career, clarify gaps in service records, and place individual service within the wider operational history of Britain’s underwater fleet. Created in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy.


These records document British and Allied warships lost during the Second World War, recording vessels destroyed by enemy action, accidents, or operational hazards between 1939 and 1945. They provide vital information that gives context to your naval ancestor's experience during the Second World War, including how and where their ship was lost.


These records document British and Allied warships lost during the Second World War, recording vessels destroyed by enemy action, accidents, or operational hazards between 1939 and 1945. They provide vital information that gives context to your naval ancestor's experience during the Second World War, including how and where their ship was lost.

New titles from Darwen to Deptford

We're ringing in the festive season with three new titles, and a total of 200,800 new pages added to our newspaper collection.


Your guide to Navy records

Discover how to trace your Royal Navy ancestors and uncover their stories of service, adventure, and bravery at sea.

Learn how to explore naval records and uncover even more from our new collection, from ships and medals to pensions and muster rolls, bringing your ancestor’s maritime journey to life.


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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/2025/12/findndmypast-friday-new-and-exclusive.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 Twitter, Facebook, 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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The Severt Leland Family Christmas in 1925 in San Francisco

One hundred years ago, the Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) family resided in San Francisco, California at 1287 37th Avenue.  The ABC Biography for the Severt and Amelia (Brocke) Leland family is ABC Biography of Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) and Amelia Anna Brocke (1884-1975) Family of San Francisco, California. They had five children. Severt and Amelia (Brocke) Leland are my wife Linda's paternal grandparents through their son Lee Severt Leland.

(AI Google NotebookLM Infographic for Severt Leland Family at Chriostmas 1925)

I wondered what Christmas 1925 might have been like for this family.  I asked Anthropic Claude to tell me, based on information in the Biography and additional information about the family members.  Here is the story: 


Christmas Day 1925: The Leland Family in San Francisco

The fog had lifted early that Christmas morning of 1925, and pale winter sunlight streamed through the windows of the Leland home at 1287 37th Avenue in San Francisco. Severt Oliver Leland, now 47 years old, was already awake, stoking the coal stove in the kitchen to warm the house. His wife Amelia, at 41, was in the kitchen preparing coffee, the rich aroma filling their modest home.

Morning: The Children's Excitement

The children were all home for Christmas, and what a range of ages they represented! Juanita, their eldest at 21, had been the first one up, helping her mother in the kitchen. She was a young woman now, poised and capable, but still living at home as many unmarried women did in those days.

Evelyn, 20, came down the stairs next, her eyes bright with the lingering magic of Christmas morning. Even at her age, there was something special about gathering as a family on this day.

Then came the thunder of footsteps as the younger children raced down—Harold at 17 was trying to maintain teenage dignity but couldn't quite hide his enthusiasm. Lee, 14, was openly excited, and young Alda “Toots”, just 10 years old, was practically bouncing with anticipation.

"Merry Christmas!" the children called out in a chorus as they gathered in the living room where a modest decorated tree stood in the corner. It wasn't the elaborate affair of wealthy families, but Amelia had strung popcorn and cranberries, and there were a few precious glass ornaments from the old country—treasures from Severt's Norwegian parents.

But first—the stockings! Hung along the mantelpiece the night before, five stockings now bulged with mysterious contents. Amelia had sewn special Christmas stockings for each child years ago—simple red felt affairs with their names embroidered in white thread. Even the older girls felt a thrill at seeing them stuffed full.

Gift Opening: Simple Pleasures

After a quick breakfast of coffee cake and hot cocoa, the family turned to the stockings first, as tradition demanded.

"Toots, you go first, being the youngest," Severt said, settling into his chair with his pipe.

She needed no encouragement. She pulled down her stocking and squealed with delight at its weight. From the top came a handful of walnuts and hazelnuts in their shells—precious treats. Then came peppermint sticks and a small bag of ribbon candy. Her eyes grew wide when she discovered a bright orange nestled in the toe—oranges from California were special, even though they lived here, and the golden fruit represented a little luxury. There was also a small wooden top painted in bright colors, a new handkerchief with embroidered flowers, and a few hairpins with colorful beads.

Lee dove into his stocking next, finding his own orange (which he immediately began peeling, unable to wait), nuts, candy, a small pocketknife—a treasure for a 14-year-old boy—and some new marbles that clicked together pleasingly in their small cloth bag.

Harold's stocking yielded practical treasures: an orange, nuts, candy, a small screwdriver to add to his growing tool collection, and a new pair of work gloves. At 17, he appreciated useful things.

The older girls took their turns, finding oranges, candies, new ribbon for their hair, bottles of cologne water, packets of hairpins (always needed!), and embroidery thread in beautiful colors. Even at their ages, they savored the tradition and the thoughtfulness behind each small item.

After the stockings came the gifts from under the tree. The gifts were practical but thoughtful. Harold received a new set of tools—he was becoming quite handy and enjoyed working with his hands. Lee got a baseball and glove, his face lighting up with joy. Young Frances squealed with delight over a new doll with a china face and a hand-sewn dress that Amelia had been working on in secret for months.

The older girls received fabric for new dresses—beautiful patterns they could sew themselves—and some hair combs that had been fashionable that year. Severt got a new pipe and tobacco, while Amelia unwrapped a lovely embroidered handkerchief set from her daughters.

"Papa, can we go to Golden Gate Park later?" Lee asked, already imagining showing off his new baseball.

Severt chuckled, exchanging a knowing glance with Amelia. "After dinner, son. Your mother's been cooking since dawn."

Christmas Dinner: A Feast Prepared with Love

Indeed, Amelia had outdone herself. The kitchen was warm and fragrant with the smells of roasting chicken (a holiday splurge), potatoes, and fresh-baked bread. She'd made her mother's recipe for German potato salad, a connection to her Idaho childhood and her family's heritage. There were preserved vegetables from their small garden, cranberry sauce, and for dessert, an apple pie and Christmas cookies the girls had helped decorate the day before.

The family gathered around their dining table, extended with extra leaves to accommodate everyone. Severt said grace, his Norwegian-accented English a reminder of his roots, thanking God for family, health, and the abundance before them.

As they ate, conversation flowed freely. Juanita talked about her work and the modern styles she'd seen downtown. Harold discussed the new automobiles he'd seen—San Francisco was rapidly modernizing, and the young man was fascinated by the changing city.

"Remember Christmas in Gardiner, Papa?" Evelyn asked, a nostalgic smile on her face. "That year it snowed so much we couldn't even see the mountains?"

Severt nodded, his eyes distant with memory. "1912, I believe. We were snowed in for three days. Your mother thought we'd never dig out."

"But we had plenty of food and firewood," Amelia added, her practical nature showing through. "And we had each other. That's what mattered."

Afternoon: Family Time

After dinner, while Amelia and the older girls cleaned up (despite protests that Mama should rest on Christmas), Severt retreated to his favorite chair with his new pipe. The younger boys were eager to get outside.

"Can we go now, Papa?" Leo pleaded.

Finally relenting, Severt bundled up and walked with Harold, Lee, and Toots to a nearby park. The San Francisco weather was mild compared to the Montana winters they'd left behind—no snow here, but the air was crisp and fresh. Leo tossed his new baseball with Harold while Toots ran around with boundless energy, her new doll carefully left at home to keep it nice.

Severt watched his children play, thinking about how far they'd come. From Wisconsin to Montana to California—three states, three different worlds. His father Torger, now 75 and living up in Washington state, had made the journey from Norway to America. Now here were his grandchildren, born in America, growing up in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Evening: Quiet Reflection

As dusk fell, the family reconvened at home. Neighbors stopped by—the Italian family from next door brought panettone, the Irish family from down the street shared some whiskey with Severt (Prohibition be damned on Christmas). San Francisco was a patchwork of immigrants and their children, all building new lives together.

The girls played carols on the piano while everyone sang—"Silent Night" in both English and, at Severt's insistence, a verse in Norwegian. Little Toots was getting sleepy, curled up next to her mother on the sofa.

"This was a good Christmas," Amelia said softly to Severt as they sat together after the children had finally gone to bed. Through the window, they could see the lights of the city twinkling in the night.

"Every Christmas with you and the children is a good Christmas," Severt replied, reaching for her hand.

They sat together in the quiet house, two people who had traveled far from their birthplaces—he from Wisconsin, she from Idaho—to build this life together. Five healthy children, a home in the city by the bay, and another Christmas safely celebrated together.

Outside, San Francisco hummed with life, but inside the Leland home on 37th Avenue, all was peaceful and warm. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new changes in their rapidly modernizing world, but tonight, Christmas 1925 was complete—a perfect moment of family, love, and gratitude that would become a cherished memory in the years to come.

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

3)  The Google NotebookLM video about this story is below:


4)  This story is, of course, historical fiction with real persons and created dialogue.  It's a traditional view, even sappy and positive, but I think it's fairly realistic. It might have been this way in 1925. 

I wish I had a photograph of any Christmas that my family celebrated, but the Infographic at the top of the post captures the mood.

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

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) 2025, 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.  Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Thursday, December 25, 2025

Added and Updated MyHeritage Record Collections - 19 to 25 December 2025

 The following Record Collections were ADDED or Updated in the MyHeritage Collections Catalog during the week of 12 to 18 December 2025:


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

There are 2 ADDED record collections in the list this past week, and MyHeritage now has a total of  7,516 record collections (an increase of 2 collections from last week), with   37,889,540,744  records or entries (an increase of about 611 million entries from last week).  

The number of entries in the family tree collections were last updated twenty-one weeks ago.

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

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

Disclosure: I receive a complimentary 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/2025/12/added-and-updated-myheritage-record_25.html

Copyright (c) 2025, 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 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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The Frederick Seaver Family Christmas in 1925 in Leominster, Massachusetts

One hundred years ago, the Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942) family resided in Leominster, Massachusetts at 290 Central Street.  The ABC Biography for Frederick is in ABC Biography of #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942) of Massachusetts and for his wife Bessie is in ABC Biography of #5 Alma Bessie (Richmond) Seaver (1882-1962) of Massachusetts. They had seven children, but only six were living in 1925.  Life was good.  Fred and Bessie Seaver are my paternal grandparents through my father, Frederick Walton Seaver, Jr. (1911-1983).

I wondered what Christmas 1925 might have been like for this family.  I asked Anthropic Claude to tell me, based on information in the Biographies and additional information about the family members.  Here is the story:

Christmas Day at the Seaver Home, 1925

The winter sun hung low over Central Street, casting long shadows across the snow-covered front porch of 290. Despite the brilliant clarity of the afternoon sky, the thermometer outside the kitchen window stubbornly hovered near thirty degrees—a blessed relief from the bitter twelve-degree chill that had greeted the household at dawn. Inside, the Seaver home radiated warmth from the fireplace in the parlor, where flames crackled steadily against the cold.

In the dining room, Bessie Seaver surveyed her handiwork with quiet satisfaction. The table, extended to its full length with both leaves in place, groaned under the weight of the Christmas feast. At the center sat a magnificent roasted goose, its skin golden and glistening, surrounded by bowls of mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows, buttered turnips, and creamed onions. A cut-glass dish held crimson cranberry sauce—both the jellied kind from a can and Bessie's own whole-berry relish. Fresh Parker House rolls nestled in a napkin-lined basket, still warm from the oven. The good china, cream-colored with delicate blue flowers at the rim, had been brought down from the high shelf, and the silver—polished yesterday by Marion (age 24) and Evelyn (age 22)—caught the light from the electric chandelier overhead.

"Edward, stop sneaking bites before grace," Bessie called without turning around, possessed of that mysterious maternal radar that detected mischief through walls.

Twelve-year-old Eddie froze, his hand halfway to a roll, and grinned sheepishly. "How does she always know?" he whispered to his sister Gerry, age 8, who giggled behind her hand.

Fred Seaver stood by the fireplace in the parlor, tamping fresh tobacco into his pipe, contemplating the Christmas tree with the measured contentment of a man who had worked hard all year and could now rest. The Norway spruce nearly touched the nine-foot ceiling, its branches festooned with strings of popcorn and cranberries, glass ornaments that caught the light, and loops of simple electric bulbs—a modern marvel that Fred had installed himself just three years ago, finally abandoning the dangerous candles of his own childhood. Beneath the tree, a few wrapped packages remained, set aside for Bessie's brothers and sister who would visit tomorrow.

"Dinner's ready!" Bessie announced, and the household converged on the dining room with the practiced choreography of a large family.

Fred took his place at the head of the table, Bessie at the foot, with the children and extended family arranged along the sides. Marion, the eldest daughter, sat straight-backed in her Sunday dress—a sensible navy blue that befitted a schoolteacher. Next to her, were Walter Wood, Evelyn's fiancee, who couldn't help twisting the modest engagement ring on her left hand, a nervous habit she'd developed since Walter had proposed in October. Ruth (age 18), voice hoarse from singing in the St. Mark's choir that morning, sat beside Nellie, Fred's maiden aunt, whose stern principal's bearing softened somewhat in the glow of Christmas. Fred’s brother, Harry and his young wife Rose completed one side of the table, while Freddie, Eddie, and little Gerry lined the other.

Fred bowed his head. "Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy bounty, for family gathered here, for health and work and warmth on this blessed Christmas Day. Amen."

A chorus of "Amens" followed, and then the careful orchestration of serving began. Bessie carved the goose with practiced efficiency while Marion passed the potatoes and Ruth handled the vegetables.

"That streetcar this morning was packed tighter than sardines," Harry remarked, helping himself to a generous portion of everything. "Half of Leominster must have been heading to church."

"The tracks looked like they might freeze up entirely," Fred observed, speaking around the stem of his pipe, which he'd set aside but held habitually. "Saw the crew out there yesterday with their scrapers. Cold like this, the switches can seize up something terrible."

"Father, you promised no pipe at the dinner table," Marion said gently but firmly.

Fred glanced at the unlit pipe in his hand as if surprised to find it there. "Wasn't smoking it," he protested mildly, but set it on the sideboard nonetheless.

"Did you hear about the Johnsons' automobile?" Rose asked, her voice still carrying a hint of the excitement of a relative newlywed making conversation with in-laws. "Wouldn't start this morning at all. Mr. Johnson had to walk to his sister's house—nearly two miles in this cold!"

"Automobiles," Nellie sniffed with the certainty of one who had witnessed many technological fads. "Give me a good horse any day. They don't freeze."

"They do if you leave them out long enough," Freddie interjected with a grin, earning a sharp look from his Aunt Nellie.

"Fred Junior!" Bessie warned.

"What? It's true!" The fourteen-year-old's eyes danced with mischief. "Remember old Mr. Patterson's horse that time—"

"We are not discussing frozen horses at Christmas dinner," Bessie said with finality.

"Speaking of cold," Evelyn ventured, skillfully redirecting, "Walter says February might be even worse than this. I hope the church won't be too drafty for the wedding."

"Reverend Collins keeps it warm enough," Ruth assured her. "Though I nearly froze in the choir loft this morning. My fingers were so stiff I could barely turn the pages."

"Your solo was lovely, dear," Bessie said warmly. "Mrs. Henderson told me after service it was the most beautiful 'O Holy Night' she'd ever heard."

Ruth flushed with pleasure. "I wasn't sure about the high note in the second verse."

"You held it beautifully," Marion confirmed. "Even old Mr. Crawford woke up for it."

Laughter rippled around the table.

"How are your pupils managing this term, Marion?" Nellie asked. As a principal herself, she took professional interest in her niece's teaching career.

Marion dabbed her lips with her napkin. "Third grade is always a challenge before Christmas. They're too excited about their presents to concentrate on arithmetic. I had little Tommy Morton trying to explain the mechanics of his new Erector Set when he should have been working on his multiplication tables."

"Did you see what Coolidge said about the economy?" Harry asked, having apparently exhausted social topics and moved to meatier fare. "In the newspaper yesterday—says prosperity is here to stay."

Fred made a noncommittal sound. "Man's not known for excess excitement, I'll give him that. 'Silent Cal' indeed. But the Paton Company's doing well enough. Orders for combs, pins and buttons steady. This new Bakelite plastic—remarkable stuff. Heat-resistant, takes color beautifully. The world's changing, Harry."

"As long as it keeps changing in a direction that keeps us employed," Harry replied pragmatically.

"The shop's been busy," Fred continued. "We're experimenting with some new molding techniques for radio casings. Everything's radios now. Every parlor in America wants one."

"Are you going to get us a radio, Father?" Gerry asked hopefully, her eight-year-old enthusiasm breaking through the adult conversation.

"Perhaps," Fred said with a slight smile. "Perhaps."

"I heard the Andersons got one," Freddie offered. "They listened to a concert all the way from New York City. Can you imagine? Music coming through the air!"

"Magic and modern science," Eddie said seriously. He was the scholarly one, always reading, always curious. "I've been reading about wireless transmission in the library. It's all about electromagnetic waves in the ether—"

"Edward, we're eating," Bessie reminded him gently. "Save the scientific lectures for after dessert."

"Speaking of which," Rose said, eyeing the sideboard where she could glimpse the pies waiting—mincemeat, apple, and pumpkin. "Everything looks wonderful, Bessie. You and the girls must have been cooking all week."

"Marion made the cranberry relish," Bessie said, giving credit where due. "And Evelyn's Parker House rolls are even better than mine."

Evelyn smiled modestly. "I used your recipe, Mother."

"But you have the lighter touch," Bessie insisted.

The meal continued in this fashion—plates were emptied and refilled, conversation meandering from local gossip to national news, from the children's schoolwork to Harry's poker games in the shop (discussed obliquely enough that Bessie could pretend not to disapprove), from the price of chicken feed to speculation about whether Evelyn's wedding dress would be ready in time.

When at last the main course was demolished and the table cleared by many hands, Bessie and the girls brought out the pies along with a pot of coffee and cold milk for the children. Then came the Christmas pudding, which Bessie had been nursing along since Thanksgiving, dark and rich with dried fruits and nuts, served with hard sauce.

"Did everyone enjoy their presents this morning?" Nellie asked as they settled into dessert.

Little Gerry needed no encouragement. "I got a baby doll with real hair and eyes that open and close!" she announced. "And a new music book with carols in it. Mother says she'll teach me to play them on the piano."

"I got a penknife," Eddie said with satisfaction, patting his pocket. "A real one, with three blades."

"Which he's not to bring to school," Marion added firmly.

"And I got 'Treasure Island,'" Eddie continued, undaunted. "Father said every boy should read it."

"Books build character," Fred confirmed.

Freddie still grinning from his role as family jester, displayed a new baseball glove. "For spring. And Father got me a new cap, though I told him the old one was perfectly good."

"The old one had holes," Bessie corrected. "You looked like a ragamuffin."

Marion had received a fountain pen and a leather-bound journal—practical gifts for a teacher. Ruth got sheet music and a warm wool scarf in a deep burgundy that brought out the color in her cheeks. Evelyn's gifts had centered on her upcoming wedding—embroidered linens, a cut-glass vase, and from Walter, though not opened with the family, a string of pearls that she'd shown her sisters in private.

Harry and Rose had exchanged practical gifts—new work gloves for him, a warm shawl for her. Nellie, ever the educator, had given each of the children books, carefully selected for their ages and interests.

Fred himself had received a new tobacco pouch from Bessie, tooled leather that smelled of fresh tanning, and from the children together, a replacement for his favorite coffee mug that had finally cracked beyond repair.

As the afternoon light began to fade and the temperature outside dropped toward its nighttime low, the family migrated back to the parlor. Bessie settled at the piano—a handsome upright that was her pride and joy—and began to play carols. The family gathered around, voices blending in familiar harmonies: "Silent Night," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

Outside, on Central Street, a streetcar rumbled past, its bell clanging, wheels screeching slightly on the cold tracks. From the direction of the comb shop came the occasional creak of settling timbers, and beyond that, the faint gurgle of the brook, not quite frozen despite the bitter cold.

Harry and Rose departed after thanking Bessie for a fine Christmas meal and warm family times. Fred drove Nellie to her house on Pleasant Street and returned shortly. Walter kissed Evelyn goodbye and drove to his home too.

Freddie and Eddie stood by the window, watching the last light fade from the sky, their breath fogging the glass.

"Think it'll snow tomorrow?" Edward asked.

"Nah, too cold," Freddie replied with the authority of two year's seniority. "Needs to warm up before it can snow proper."

Behind them, the family sang on, warm and fed and together, while the Christmas tree lights twinkled in the gathering dusk and the fire crackled steadily in the hearth. It was, by any measure, a good Christmas—not extravagant, but comfortable, not dramatic, but deeply contented. The kind of Christmas that wouldn't make the history books but would be remembered by those present as one of the sweet, simple days when everything was as it should be.

As the last carol faded, little Gerry yawned hugely, and Bessie smiled. "Time for the young ones to bed, I think. Church tomorrow, and school next week."

"Aw, Mother," Gerry protested, but without much conviction.

Fred rose and stretched, retrieving his pipe from the sideboard. "Good Christmas," he said simply, and in those two words lay a wealth of satisfaction.

Outside, the temperature continued its inexorable drop toward twelve degrees. But inside 290 Central Street, the Seaver family was warm, and safe, and together, and that was enough.

That was everything.

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

3)  The Google NotebookLM video about this story is below:


4)  This story is, of course, historical fiction with real persons and created dialogue.  It's a traditional view, even sappy and positive, but I think it's fairly realistic. It might have been this way in 1925. 

I wish I had a photograph of any Christmas that my family celebrated, but the Infographic at the top of the post captures the mood.

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

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) 2025, 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.  Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.  


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