Prominent Montreal Jewish genealogist Stanley Diamond passed on 18 December. Please see a guest post at EOGN here.
On This Date: England’s Deadliest Avalanche
In word association, England and Avalanche are an unlikely pairing. Back in late December 1836 they came together in Sussex. The Brighton Patriot of 27 December reported on a Terrific Snow Storm.
“Scarcely have the recollections of the late hurricane died away, when we have been again visited by one of the most severe snow storms remembered by the oldest men in Brighton; and which, we regret to state, has been attended with the loss of human life, together with others of a serious kind.
The snow began to fall on Saturday, but the day at intervals was brightened by the sun, and there was not much wind. The snow continued to fall nearly all Saturday night and the whole of Sunday (Christmas Day); and at night the wind being N. E., blew a complete hurricane, whirling masses of snow about with terrific fury. ‘The policemen and others who were out during the night speak of its violence as indescribable and the cold as intense.”
The article reports on two, possibly three, lives lost in Brighton and others in outlying areas.
The accumulation of snow on the steep Cliffe Hill overlooking the East Sussex community of East Malling gave way at 10.15 am on the morning of 27 December. The avalanche swallowed the Boulder Row cottages, killing eight. Another six people survived being buried. The victims are in an unmarked communal grave at South Malling parish churchyard, where a plaque records the tragedy.
Yuletide R&R: Pam Ayres
New US Veterans Database
Reclaim The Records has announced possibly the largest-ever public dataset of deceased US veterans.
The Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) database provides an index to basic biographical information on more than 18 million deceased American veterans who received veterans benefits in their lifetime, including health care, disability or life insurance policies, educational benefits (the GI Bill), mortgage assistance (VA loans), and more.
Finding a name listed in the BIRLS database means that you can make a free FOIA request for a copy of that deceased veteran’s full VA claims file, which may contain hundreds of pages of never-before-seen biographical and historical material about the veteran, their military service, and their interactions with the VA. BIRLS provides a direct link to make the free FOIA request.
Yuletide R&R
🍀New Irish Records on FamilySearch Full Test Search
Ireland has not been overlooked in the December FamilySearch Full Text search update. There are 4.9 million Irish records in 275 titles. A typical county name appears in the title 4 – 7 times, Dublin appears 14 times and Cork 10 times. Many are printed documents, not handwritten
| Collection Title | Records |
| Ireland, Residences, Census, from 1620 to 1977 | 1430492 |
| Ireland, Properties, from 1298 to 1975 | 1131966 |
| Ireland, Legal, from 1055 to 2006 | 815200 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Legal, from 1858 to 1877 | 153568 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Legal, from 1448 to 1967 | 135790 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Religious, from 1 November 1915 to 30 June 1916 | 62312 |
| Ireland, Others, from 1051 to 2007 | 60765 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Legal, 1854 | 59200 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Poor Relief, from 1 July 1839 to 1921 | 46652 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Legal, from 1698 to 1851 | 46577 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Properties, 1959 | 38642 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Properties, from 1 November 1867 to 31 July 1872 | 32947 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Properties, 1834 | 32519 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Properties, from 1850 to 1894 | 27830 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Properties, from 1774 to 1924 | 25735 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Properties, 1854 | 24492 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Properties, from 1870 to 1933 | 18448 |
| Ireland, County Limerick, Properties, 1854 | 18189 |
| Ireland, Biographies, from 1066 to 2005 | 17286 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Properties, from 1855 to 1968 | 17047 |
| Ireland, Residences, from 1553 to 1978 | 16604 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Religious, from 1 September 1873 to 1880 | 16453 |
| Ireland, County Fermanagh, Legal, from 1858 to 1862 | 16342 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Legal, from 1837 to 1850 | 16200 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Properties, from 1774 to 1924 | 15599 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Properties, from 1821 to 1825 | 15500 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Religious, from 1 September 1860 to 31 July 1870 | 15304 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Properties, 1826 | 14909 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Legal, from 1858 to 1919 | 13782 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Legal, from 1858 to 1877 | 13654 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Legal, from 1878 to 1922 | 13444 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Properties, 1853 | 13181 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Religious, from 1728 to 1951 | 12333 |
| Ireland, Migrations, from 1545 to 1986 | 11781 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Properties, from 1774 to 1924 | 11712 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Properties, 1853 | 11020 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Marriages, from 1873 to 1880 | 10360 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Legal, from 1839 to 1860 | 10343 |
| Ireland, County Monaghan, Properties, from 1841 to 1854 | 10092 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Marriages, from 1860 to 1870 | 9436 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Properties, from 1850 to 1933 | 9427 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Legal, from 1833 to 1855 | 9165 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Properties, 1853 | 8721 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Properties, from 1615 to 1746 | 8430 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Religious, 1867 | 8310 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Religious, from 1728 to 1950 | 8248 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Properties, from 1825 to 1842 | 8030 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Religious, from 1728 to 1951 | 8014 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Properties, from 1855 to 1932 | 7047 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Others, from 1850 to 1967 | 6907 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Religious, 1857 | 6907 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Properties, from 1849 to 31 March 1885 | 6192 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Properties, 1854 | 6112 |
| Ireland, County Fermanagh, Properties, 1857 | 5975 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Legal, from 1858 to 1877 | 5880 |
| Ireland, County Clare, Properties, from 1855 to 1859 | 5819 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Properties, from 1847 to 1864 | 5694 |
| Ireland, County Clare, Legal, 1855 | 5606 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Legal, 1853 | 5461 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Marriages, from 1844 to 1874 | 5436 |
| Ireland, County Leitrim, Properties, from 1845 to 1856 | 5398 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Properties, from 15 August 1828 to 15 August 1832 | 5265 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Properties, from 1856 to 1938 | 5193 |
| Ireland, County Limerick, Legal, 1854 | 4975 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Biographies, from 1824 to 1943 | 4965 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Legal, 1841 | 4948 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Religious, from 1728 to 1951 | 4664 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Properties, from 1201 to 1929 | 4652 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Marriages, from 22 April 1846 to 11 November 1882 | 4639 |
| Ireland, County Clare, Religious, from 1 April 1846 to 31 January 1862 | 4630 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Religious, from 1846 to 1880 | 4513 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Others, 1850 | 4386 |
| Ireland, Marriages, from 1629 to 1975 | 4266 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Properties, from 1855 to 1859 | 4239 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Religious, from 1 June 1827 to 31 May 1863 | 4167 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Legal, from 1698 to 1736 | 4071 |
| Ireland, County Down, Religious, 1834 | 3930 |
| Ireland, County Londonderry, Properties, from 1825 to 1834 | 3850 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Legal, from 1880 to 1888 | 3840 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Others, from 1172 to 1949 | 3813 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Legal, from 1866 to 1915 | 3768 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Marriages, from 1830 to 1845 | 3759 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Legal, from 1916 to 1923 | 3704 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Deaths, from 1 November 1859 to 31 October 1873 | 3531 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Religious, 1834 | 3522 |
| Ireland, County Tyrone, Religious, from 1680 to 1740 | 3440 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Religious, 1854 | 3368 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Others, from 1913 to 1937 | 3266 |
| Ireland, County Down, Marriages, from 1 November 1818 to 30 April 1819 | 3144 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Properties, from 1641 to 1967 | 3125 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Legal, from 1 September 1872 to 31 May 1874 | 3108 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Properties, from 1448 to 1858 | 3094 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Poor Relief, from 1848 to 1918 | 3007 |
| Ireland, County Leitrim, Legal, from 1855 to 1899 | 2917 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Religious, from 1 June 1819 to 30 April 1834 | 2900 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Others, 1978 | 2893 |
| Ireland, County Meath, Marriages, from 1842 to 28 February 1874 | 2855 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Religious, 1911 | 2824 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Marriages, from 1821 to 1856 | 2774 |
| Ireland, County Monaghan, Legal, from 1838 to 1938 | 2698 |
| Ireland, County Clare, Marriages, from 1 February 1859 to 28 February 1881 | 2685 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Marriages, from 1 October 1836 to 29 February 1860 | 2531 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Marriages, from 1 July 1837 to 31 August 1840 | 2530 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Religious, 1911 | 2450 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Religious, from 1 February 1842 to 29 February 1876 | 2424 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Religious, from 1 December 1828 to 1864 | 2419 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Others, from 1575 to 1991 | 2415 |
| Ireland, County Tyrone, Marriages, from 1853 to 1881 | 2391 |
| Ireland, Religious, from 1298 to 1987 | 2363 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Deaths, from 1820 to 1984 | 2339 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Marriages, from 1793 to 1982 | 2339 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Marriages, from 1832 to 1925 | 2328 |
| Ireland, Deaths, from 1588 to 1982 | 2300 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Marriages, from 1 October 1807 to 30 April 1813 | 2278 |
| Ireland, County Leitrim, Religious, from 1841 to 1924 | 2271 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Biographies, from 1664 to 1902 | 2229 |
| Ireland, County Down, Deaths, from 1 November 1818 to 30 April 1819 | 2228 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Biographies, from 1827 to 1900 | 2214 |
| Ireland, County Monaghan, Religious, from 1835 to 1869 | 2150 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Poor Relief, from 30 August 1842 to 2 November 1847 | 2096 |
| Ireland, Military Service, from 1298 to 29 October 1972 | 2087 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Legal, from 1842 to 1852 | 2020 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Legal, from 1866 to 1908 | 2016 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Military Service, from 1448 to 1975 | 1979 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Religious, from 1 December 1845 to 31 March 1856 | 1954 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Residences, from 1805 to 1861 | 1938 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Religious, from 1 May 1821 to 31 March 1826 | 1904 |
| Ireland, County Down, Properties, from 1826 to 1834 | 1864 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Others, 1911 | 1796 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Residences, from 1771 to 1908 | 1777 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Others, 1911 | 1687 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Legal, from 1198 to 1991 | 1637 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Others, 1911 | 1529 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Religious, from 1855 to 1880 | 1520 |
| Ireland, County Down, Legal, from 1867 to 1878 | 1429 |
| Ireland, County Clare, Others, from 1600 to 1967 | 1376 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Employment, from 1698 to 1921 | 1367 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Legal, from 1850 to 1909 | 1351 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Legal, from 1620 to 1915 | 1341 |
| Ireland, County Fermanagh, Religious, from 1 November 1845 to 31 October 1870 | 1304 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Marriages, from 1850 to 1880 | 1261 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Marriages, from 1 February 1829 to 1864 | 1252 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Births, from 1820 to 1875 | 1231 |
| Ireland, County Tyrone, Properties, 1826 | 1219 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Deaths, from 1 April 1837 to 31 January 1860 | 1202 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Marriages, from 1 May 1818 to 31 October 1828 | 1193 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Others, 1911 | 1182 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Others, from 1660 to 1878 | 1175 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Marriages, from 1 July 1844 to 31 January 1869 | 1164 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Cork and Ross, Marriages, from 1751 to 1845 | 1143 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Marriages, from 1856 to 1885 | 1110 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Education, from 8 January 1866 to 7 September 1915 | 1107 |
| Ireland, County Limerick, Religious, from 1698 to 1736 | 1103 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Deaths, from 1855 to 1880 | 1100 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Biographies, from 1118 to 1990 | 1065 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Biographies, 1986 | 1043 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Legal, from 1863 to 31 October 1865 | 1036 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Marriages, from 1630 to 1929 | 1019 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Marriages, from 1 July 1776 to 30 November 1835 | 1015 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Biographies, 1591 | 975 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Biographies, from 1827 to 1900 | 975 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Others, from 1845 to 1908 | 974 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Religious, from 1855 to 1865 | 971 |
| Ireland, County of the Town of Drogheda, Religious, from 1747 to 1772 | 971 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Others, from 1690 to 1899 | 962 |
| Ireland, County Tyrone, Deaths, from 1854 to 1868 | 955 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Marriages, from 1852 to 1856 | 947 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Others, 1961 | 874 |
| Ireland, County Fermanagh, Others, from 1960 to 1962 | 866 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Religious, from 1 July 1752 to 1767 | 850 |
| Ireland, County Monaghan, Marriages, from 1837 to 1849 | 835 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Military Service, 1901 | 776 |
| Ireland, County Londonderry, Legal, from 1592 to 1899 | 768 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Religious, from 1715 to 1736 | 695 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Deaths, from 1822 to 1984 | 676 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Employment, from 1900 to 1932 | 670 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Military Service, from 1900 to 1932 | 670 |
| Ireland, County Limerick, Marriages, from 1812 to 1833 | 650 |
| Ireland, Leinster, Marriages, from 1655 to 1845 | 631 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Residences, from 1805 to 1996 | 629 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Religious, from 1448 to 1929 | 613 |
| Ireland, County Sligo, Deaths, from 1865 to 1880 | 609 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Others, from 1669 to 28 April 1979 | 607 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Marriages, from 1868 to 1880 | 563 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Cloyne, Marriages, from 1630 to 1866 | 559 |
| Ireland, Ulster, Employment, from 1150 to 1623 | 549 |
| Ireland, County Kilkenny, Deaths, from 1 June 1858 to 28 February 1881 | 546 |
| Ireland, County Londonderry, Religious, from 1854 to 1869 | 516 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Marriages, from 1812 to 31 July 1854 | 497 |
| Ireland, County Mayo, Deaths, from 1826 to 1832 | 492 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Others, 1911 | 487 |
| Ireland, County of the Cross of Tipperary, Properties, 1959 | 457 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Elphin, Marriages, from 1709 to 1865 | 454 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Properties, from 1634 to 1984 | 444 |
| Ireland, County Roscommon, Deaths, from 1835 to 31 July 1872 | 443 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Deaths, from 1793 to 1982 | 425 |
| Ireland, County Leitrim, Deaths, from 1847 to 1873 | 412 |
| Ireland, County Leitrim, Marriages, from 1841 to 1922 | 412 |
| Ireland, Births, from 1864 to 1956 | 410 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Others, from 1680 to 1740 | 391 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Ossory, Marriages, from 1691 to 1845 | 390 |
| Ireland, County Londonderry, Marriages, from 1730 to 1845 | 387 |
| Ireland, County Londonderry, Others, 1916 | 382 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Education, from 1876 to 1925 | 378 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Births, 1909 | 364 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Residences, 1981 | 361 |
| Ireland, County Fermanagh, Marriages, from 1 October 1868 to 30 November 1880 | 331 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Deaths, from 1607 to 1911 | 313 |
| Ireland, County Dublin, Deaths, from 1938 to 1950 | 312 |
| Ireland, County Limerick, Others, from 1609 to 1976 | 298 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Religious, from 1 July 1763 to 31 July 1789 | 298 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Marriages, from 1813 to 1845 | 291 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Clogher, Marriages, from 1709 to 1866 | 283 |
| Ireland, Fingal, Births, from 1900 to 1912 | 270 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Residences, from 1805 to 1880 | 241 |
| Ireland, County Longford, Births, from 1905 to 1907 | 222 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Dromore, Legal, from 1678 to 1858 | 220 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Education, from 1871 to 1925 | 219 |
| Ireland, County Down, Residences | 218 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Biographies, from 1878 to 1990 | 211 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Marriages, from 1 May 1769 to 31 July 1789 | 208 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Ossory, Legal, from 1536 to 1858 | 202 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Marriages, from 1814 to 1865 | 197 |
| Ireland, County Down, Births, from 1810 to 1871 | 195 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Education, from 1870 to 1925 | 194 |
| Ireland, County Carlow, Births, from 1607 to 1860 | 192 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Deaths, from 1821 to 1856 | 189 |
| Ireland, County Monaghan, Deaths, from 1851 to 1863 | 171 |
| Ireland, Ulster, Others, from 1798 to 1900 | 167 |
| Ireland, County Galway, Births, from 1928 to 1950 | 165 |
| Ireland, County Cavan, Deaths, from 1 November 1821 to 1855 | 164 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Marriages, from 1 March 1859 to 31 January 1883 | 162 |
| Ireland, Employment, from 1765 to 1977 | 161 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Military Service, from 1898 to 1950 | 158 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Deaths, from 1 August 1824 to 30 September 1830 | 157 |
| Ireland, County Donegal, Deaths, from 1860 to 1866 | 153 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Others, 1846 | 140 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Tuam, Legal, from 1648 to 1858 | 140 |
| Ireland, County Kerry, Others, from 1850 to 1970 | 128 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Elphin, Legal, from 1650 to 1858 | 118 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Clogher, Legal, from 1618 to 1858 | 111 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Deaths, from 1837 to 1926 | 104 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Limerick, Legal, from 1615 to 1858 | 101 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Residences, 1895 | 98 |
| Ireland, Belfast, Marriages, from 1 April 1798 to 31 July 1853 | 96 |
| Ireland, Munster, Military Service | 88 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Deaths, from 1828 to 28 February 1881 | 83 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Births, from 1607 to 1946 | 77 |
| Ireland, County Offaly, Births, from 1928 to 1950 | 74 |
| Ireland, Dublin, Deaths, from 1655 to 1929 | 74 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Deaths, from 1685 to 1712 | 70 |
| Ireland, County Down, Others, from 1307 to 1950 | 68 |
| Ireland, County Antrim, Births, from 1806 to 1914 | 66 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Others, 1850 | 65 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Births, from 1613 to 1860 | 62 |
| Ireland, County Armagh, Births, from 1605 to 1862 | 54 |
| Ireland, Queen’s County, Deaths, from 1648 to 1860 | 51 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Births, 1936 | 41 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Dublin, Marriages, from 1739 to 1890 | 40 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Killala, Legal, from 1682 to 1858 | 36 |
| Ireland, County Louth, Births, from 1851 to 1873 | 34 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Births, from 1616 to 1862 | 33 |
| Ireland, County Kildare, Deaths, from 1 February 1869 to 30 June 1879 | 31 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Births, from 1616 to 1862 | 31 |
| Ireland, County Waterford, Deaths, from 1653 to 1860 | 28 |
| Ireland, County Westmeath, Births, from 1605 to 1862 | 28 |
| Ireland, County Wexford, Deaths, from 1653 to 1859 | 27 |
| Ireland, County Tipperary, Deaths, from 1791 to 1811 | 26 |
| Ireland, County Tyrone, Births, from 1846 to 1884 | 26 |
| Ireland, County Wicklow, Births, from 1 July 1822 to 31 March 1856 | 22 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Biographies, from 1756 to 1827 | 19 |
| Ireland, County Laois, Others, from 1853 to 1972 | 10 |
| Ireland, County Cork, Residences, 1834 | 9 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Legal, from 1891 to 1903 | 3 |
| Ireland, Diocese of Armagh, Legal, 1925 | 2 |
Yuletide R&R
🎄🎄🎄Christmas Day in the Workhouse
Christmas Eve 2024
Fifteen centimetres of snow. That’s what I’d shovelled, so the walk to the mailbox, even in the bright sunshine with neighbours “Merry Christmasing,” felt like a bit of a trek. And for what? Bills. Bloody bills. The Canada Post strike meant no Christmas cards this year. But it got me thinking.
The thing about Christmas cards is they don’t go off. They’re not like milk or bread. It’s not about getting them on the 25th; it’s about what they are. It’s the memories, the feeling you get when you see a familiar scrawl. They’re little bits of connection, little time capsules of someone’s thoughts and well wishes.
Even the cards from people who aren’t around anymore are a reminder that they’re still part of our life story. It’s not the paper or the glitter; it’s the feeling, the enduring warmth they keep alive. That’s why my Christmas decorations this year include cards from years gone by.
Yuletide R&R
A classic
New Canadian Records on FamilySearch Full Text Search
Since the start of December FamilySearch has added or updated titles totalling over 16.5 million records in its Full Text Search Canadian collection. Here’s the list. There are some unusual titles!
| Collection Title | Records | Last Updated |
| Canada, Migrations, from 1630 to 1992 | 4001386 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Legal, 1925 | 3843055 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Properties, from 1854 to 1868 | 1949031 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Properties, from 1 October 1917 to 28 February 1918 | 1343415 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Properties, from 1893 to 1894 | 965855 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Legal, 1605 | 553430 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Military Service, from 1913 to 1918 | 470453 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada West, Properties, from 1860 to 1867 | 447625 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Military Service, from 0191 to 2019 | 370074 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Legal, from 2 July 1888 to 25 July 1925 | 332508 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Others, from 1614 to 1969 | 243074 | 23-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Legal, from 1900 to 1925 | 201982 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Upper Canada, Properties, from 1802 to 1894 | 174316 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Others, from 1927 to 1987 | 135575 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Legal, from 1300 to 1913 | 119321 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Deaths, from 1560 to 2007 | 118147 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Migrations, from 30 August 1920 to 9 January 1921 | 112033 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Employment, from 1752 to 1971 | 93597 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Military Service, from 1821 to 1827 | 75639 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Migrations, from 1 October 1905 to 28 February 1906 | 70765 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Migrations, from 1920 to 1924 | 62740 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Migrations, from 3 October 1909 to 26 April 1910 | 46069 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Marriages, from 1315 to 1999 | 42947 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Education, from 1803 to 1885 | 35848 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Others, from 1315 to 1994 | 35592 | 23-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Military Service, from 1777 to 1841 | 32987 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Lower Canada, Properties, from 1637 to 1899 | 32234 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Military Service, from 1777 to 1841 | 28365 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Others, from 1917 to 1920 | 27139 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Employment, from 1864 to 1970 | 26556 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Biographies, from 1817 to 1879 | 26470 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Military Service, from 1852 to 1867 | 24472 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Biographies, from 1863 to 1987 | 22571 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Employment, from 1880 to 1992 | 22038 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Employment, from 1880 to 1920 | 22038 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Deaths, 1991 | 21598 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Migrations, from 29 February 1912 to 1 April 1912 | 21353 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Military Service, from 1852 to 1867 | 19624 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada West, Legal, from 1834 to 1855 | 19532 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Military Service, from 1940 to 1947 | 18170 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada East, Legal, from 1 November 1913 to 30 September 1914 | 18163 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Biographies, 1991 | 17567 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Migrations, from 18 October 1938 to 19 October 1939 | 17274 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Legal, from 1786 to 1930 | 16620 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Alberta, Military Service, from 1777 to 1841 | 16128 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Legal, from 1875 to 2014 | 14966 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Employment, from 1809 to 1943 | 14163 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Deaths, from 1919 to 1922 | 13509 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Military Service, from 1940 to 1947 | 10925 | 03-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Alberta, Others, from 1863 to 1914 | 9088 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Military Service, from 1794 to 1870 | 8507 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Biographies, from 1315 to 2008 | 7871 | 23-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Residences, from 1871 to 1899 | 7409 | 23-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Others, 30 April 1971 | 7290 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Employment, 1900 | 7142 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Others, 1858 | 5945 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Legal, from 1786 to 1996 | 5889 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Legal, from 1871 to 1873 | 5765 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Residences, from 1781 to 1916 | 5212 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Others, from 1818 to 1981 | 5119 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Deaths, from 1866 to 1868 | 4294 | 04-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada East, Properties, from 1806 to 1852 | 4169 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Others, from 3 October 1862 to 27 March 1863 | 4111 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Residences, 1880 | 4020 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Others, from 1871 to 1985 | 3504 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Residences, from 1908 to 1918 | 2980 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Employment, from 1864 to 1970 | 2857 | 02-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada East, Military Service, from 1809 to 1869 | 2803 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Residences, from 1894 to 1949 | 2601 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Employment, from 1864 to 1970 | 2385 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Others, from 1871 to 1904 | 2381 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Residences, from 1871 to 1880 | 2381 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Residences, 1880 | 2381 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Biographies, 1902 | 2317 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Marriages, from 1866 to 1868 | 2267 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Religious, from 1835 to 1877 | 2206 | 04-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Nova Scotia, Medical, from 1907 to 1924 | 2128 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Residences, 1976 | 2010 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Employment, from 1849 to 1958 | 1782 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Alberta, Employment, from 1900 to 1932 | 1772 | 03-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Religious, from 1854 to 1985 | 1715 | 04-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Medical, from 1783 to 1870 | 1694 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Alberta, Residences, from 1700 to 2001 | 1639 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Properties, from 9 December 1857 to 25 June 1867 | 1590 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Legal, from 1745 to 1930 | 1563 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, New Brunswick, Deaths, from 1818 to 1964 | 1558 | 04-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland, Migrations, from 1939 to 31 August 1940 | 1539 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Deaths, from 1872 to 1998 | 1426 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Religious, from 1909 to 1954 | 1397 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Saskatchewan, Properties, from 1870 to 1987 | 1332 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Upper Canada, Military Service, from 1797 to 1845 | 1214 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Births, from 1866 to 1987 | 1173 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Biographies, from 1799 to 2001 | 1172 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Deaths, from 1805 to 1906 | 1172 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Ontario, Education, from 1884 to 1899 | 869 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada East, Religious, 1900 | 862 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Northwest Territories, Properties, from 1799 to 1870 | 820 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Upper Canada, Legal, from 1847 to 1956 | 750 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Residences, from 1871 to 1908 | 740 | 22-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Biographies, from 1 July 1847 to 31 July 1847 | 667 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Residences, Census, from 1640 to 1998 | 622 | 01-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Prince Edward Island, Properties, 30 November 1979 | 585 | 17-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Upper Canada, Biographies, from 1763 to 1816 | 230 | 16-Dec-24 |
| Canada, British Columbia, Properties, from 1885 to 1949 | 208 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Medical, from 1886 to 1899 | 96 | 19-Dec-24 |
| British North America, Canada West, Employment, from 1821 to 1952 | 80 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Legal, from 1810 to 1825 | 51 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Quebec, Properties, from 12 May 1892 to 19 November 1892 | 22 | 16-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Alberta, Properties, from 1907 to 1957 | 19 | 15-Dec-24 |
| Canada, Manitoba, Properties, from 1887 to 1953 | 10 | 15-Dec-24 |
Several titles were added in November, but none like the two large collections added in August
Canada, Probate Records, 1600 – 2020 with 14,726,237 records.
Canada, Homestead Records, 1600 – 2011, with 8,329,643 records.
New UK Records on FamilySearch Full Text Search
Here are the December additions to the FamilySearch Full Text search for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are over 1.5 million records in 105 separate titles.
| Collection Title | Records | Last Updated |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Legal, from 1862 to 1870 | 485115 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Properties, from 1617 to 12 May 1858 | 413027 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Deaths, from 1544 to 1901 | 143629 | 17-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Legal, 1840 | 139825 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Properties, from 1714 to 1800 | 60463 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Others, from 1396 to 1838 | 44869 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Biographies, 1903 | 38008 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Others, from 0901 to 1970 | 35725 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Biographies, 1950 | 27052 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Glamorgan, Legal, from 1778 to 1799 | 24096 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Ayrshire, Legal, from 1607 to 1721 | 17551 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Montgomeryshire, Properties, from 1557 to 1857 | 15038 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Legal, from 1400 to 1832 | 13488 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Employment, from 1820 to 1847 | 13132 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Legal, from 1665 to 31 March 1752 | 8923 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Military Service, from 1880 to 1892 | 5085 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Properties, from 1100 to 1868 | 4710 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Properties, from 1294 to 1904 | 3794 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Military Service, from 1914 to 1918 | 3762 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Denbighshire, Legal, from 1576 to 1806 | 3680 | 20-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Residences, from 1 December 1889 to 31 July 1966 | 3275 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Legal, from 1166 to 1945 | 3110 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Anglesey, Legal, from 1576 to 1798 | 2431 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Others, from 1400 to 1973 | 2267 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Biographies, from 1664 to 1902 | 2229 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Military Service, from 1641 to 1913 | 1982 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Argyll, Properties, from 1257 to 1780 | 1819 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Flintshire, Legal, from 1 April 1543 to 1799 | 1807 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Ayrshire, Employment, from 1739 to 1785 | 1726 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Ayrshire, Properties, from 22 July 1749 to 21 March 1753 | 1603 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Education, from 1864 to 1876 | 1593 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Wales, Residences, from 1903 to 1906 | 1398 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Cardiganshire, Legal, from 1798 to 1799 | 1276 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Education, from 1 April 1810 to 30 April 1823 | 1147 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Employment, from 1685 to 1791 | 1060 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Montgomeryshire, Biographies, from 1953 to 1970 | 864 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Berwickshire, Properties, from 3 September 1722 to 25 December 1789 | 822 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Ayrshire, Poor Relief, from 1 June 1798 to 31 July 1845 | 815 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Argyll, Others, from 0001 to 1885 | 793 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Glamorgan, Properties, from 1608 to 1831 | 731 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Military Service, from 1588 to 30 April 1880 | 655 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Breconshire, Legal, from 1647 to 1732 | 630 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Others, from 1669 to 28 April 1979 | 607 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Properties, from 1 November 1637 to 1680 | 590 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Caithness, Properties, from 17 July 1764 to 8 April 1771 | 586 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Renfrewshire, Others, from 0700 to 1902 | 558 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Fife, Education, from 1413 to 1897 | 554 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Renfrewshire, Properties, from 1694 to 1699 | 481 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Others, 1983 | 464 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Education, from 1494 to 1854 | 460 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Properties, from 1634 to 1984 | 444 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Anglesey, Medical, from 1846 to 1851 | 438 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Edinburgh, Employment, from 1583 to 1790 | 427 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Properties, from 16 August 1679 to 27 October 1759 | 409 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Edinburgh, Residences, from 1406 to 1841 | 390 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Kincardineshire, Residences, 1867 | 378 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Banffshire, Properties, from 23 June 1658 to 1 October 1661 | 366 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Others, from 1400 to 1973 | 361 | 18-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Kinross-shire, Others | 356 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Fife, Others, from 1089 to 1897 | 356 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Edinburgh, Legal, from 1403 to 1926 | 333 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Education, from 1728 to 1858 | 328 | 19-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Scotland, Migrations, 1930 | 326 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Elginshire, Legal, from 1 June 1746 to 1814 | 310 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Lanarkshire, Residences, 1783 | 301 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Stirlingshire, Others | 269 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Others, 1696 | 256 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Dunbartonshire, Residences | 234 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Forfarshire, Others | 221 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Shetland, Legal, from 1602 to 1689 | 216 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Renfrewshire, Properties, from 10 March 1518 to 1871 | 206 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Residences, from 1781 to 1800 | 201 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Legal, from 1 December 1800 to 31 August 1802 | 196 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Kinross-shire, Properties, from 1617 to 1830 | 175 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Fife, Properties, from 1 September 1666 to 17 June 1730 | 175 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Perthshire, Legal, from 1 November 1661 to 30 November 1661 | 169 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Pembrokeshire, Legal, from 1559 to 1634 | 158 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Residences, from 1790 to 1799 | 151 | 18-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Merionethshire, Legal, from 1543 to 1799 | 139 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Edinburgh, Biographies, from 1460 to 1950 | 126 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Properties, from 1300 to 1789 | 120 | 20-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Linlithgowshire, Legal, from 1694 to 1695 | 120 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Forfarshire, Legal, from 1613 to 1 September 1800 | 117 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Dunbartonshire, Legal, from 1 July 1632 to 28 February 1723 | 113 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Biographies, from 1100 to 2005 | 113 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Perthshire, Others, from 1699 to 1745 | 100 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Kincardineshire, Properties, from 1600 to 1860 | 97 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Nairnshire, Properties, from 1617 to 1868 | 83 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Midlothian, Legal, from 1580 to 1797 | 83 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Elginshire, Properties, from 1666 to 1868 | 83 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Flintshire, Others, 1899 | 61 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Stirlingshire, Legal, from 1 June 1724 to 28 February 1734 | 60 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Roxburghshire, Legal, from 1700 to 30 June 1775 | 60 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Argyll, Legal, from 1 July 1693 to 1801 | 54 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Fife, Legal, from 1613 to 1778 | 48 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Ayrshire, Others, 1983 | 45 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Argyll, Education, from 1710 to 1860 | 43 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Inverness-shire, Others, from 1725 to 1745 | 36 | 18-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Edinburgh, Military Service, 1860 | 34 | 19-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Banffshire, Others, 1696 | 34 | 16-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Bute, Poor Relief, from 1849 to 1855 | 24 | 18-Dec-24 |
| Scotland, Employment, from 1696 to 1830 | 22 | 16-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Glamorgan, Military Service, from 1690 to 1760 | 3 | 18-Dec-24 |
| United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Legal, from 1891 to 1903 | 3 | 17-Dec-24 |
| Wales, Caernarfonshire, Legal, from 1774 to 1799 | 2 | 17-Dec-24 |