Celebrating 365 Historical Record Collections Added or Updated During 365 Days
We’re thrilled to announce a monumental achievement at MyHeritage. Over the past year, we’ve added a grand total of 347 new collections and updated 18 collections to our ever-growing database of historical records! That’s right — an average of one collection added or updated per day for an entire year, with a total of 373 million records added. Our dedicated team has worked relentlessly to keep adding new, rich, and diverse collections to help our users make breakthroughs in their genealogy research.
The collections include a wide variety of record types from all over the world — and any single record among these millions could be the key to toppling your genealogical “brick wall”, paving the way to learning more about your ancestors.
The addition of these new collections, plus updates to existing ones, has significantly expanded our database. We’re making great strides in our commitment to providing you with the best resources for your family history research.
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To celebrate this milestone, we’d love to shine a spotlight on some of the valuable collections added or updated this year from across the globe that you can find on MyHeritage:
1950 United States Federal Census – 159 million records
The 1950 U.S. Census was released 72 years after the enumeration was initiated. The census provides fascinating details about the lives of the 150 million Americans living in the U.S. and its territories from 1940 to 1950. If you had family living in the United States during this time period you are likely to find important details about their lives.
We located an entry for the legendary J.D. Salinger in the census. Known for his reclusive nature, Salinger made an indelible mark on literature with his timeless novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Born Jerome David Salinger, he was already well into his writing career in 1950, and the census record confirms this: his profession is recorded as “writer.”
J.D. Salinger in the 1950 U.S. Census on MyHeritage
France Census – 105 million records
Over the past year, we have added 51,252,583 French records to MyHeritage, including marriage records, death indexes, and censuses. Each of these collections provides a wealth of information, and combined with the rich variety of French collections we already offered, they solidify MyHeritage’s stature as the best place to search for French records online.
Let’s take a look at the 1931 France Census, for example. This collection contains records and images from a variety of departments in France. Records typically include names, years and places of birth, relatives in the household, and residence information. Additional details can be found on each record’s associated image.
In this collection we find the record for Henri Desgranges, a French bicycle racer and sports journalist who lived in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine in 1931. Desgranges was the first organizer of the Tour de France. He set twelve world track cycling records, including the hour record of 35.325 kilometers (21.950 mi).
Henri Desgranges in the 1930 France Census on MyHeritage
Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Deaths 1874-1938 – 21 million records
This exclusive collection of death records hails from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Münster Region), Germany, from 1874 through 1938. This collection is an initial part of civil registration death records which have been made available by the Landesarchiv NRW Department Ostwestfalen-Lippe.
We discovered the death record of August Robert Ludwig Macke in the Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Deaths 1874-1938 collection on MyHeritage. Macke, a key member of the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter, left a significant legacy in the early 20th-century art scene. Born in 1887 in Meschede, Germany, Macke’s innovative use of bold color and abstract forms embodied a new wave of creative thought and aesthetic expression. His life was tragically cut short at the young age of 27 during the early days of World War I. Yet, despite his short career, his impact on the art world was profound, influencing many artists in the generations that followed.
August Robert Ludwig Macke in the Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Deaths 1874-1938 collection on MyHeritage
Sweden, Birth Records – 3.7 million records
This collection of 2 million records contains birth records and images from Sweden between 1850 and 1920. Beginning in 1858, records were created by the Swedish Statistiska centralbyrån, the oldest statistical office in the world. Records typically include the child’s name, date and parish of birth, names of the parents, and the domicile.
Below is a sample birth record of Greta Strindberg, a significant figure in Swedish history renowned for her invaluable contributions to society. A pioneer in the field of social work, she dedicated her life to championing human rights and advancing social welfare. Known for her tireless advocacy, she has left a lasting imprint on numerous social policies and reforms, especially in the realm of child welfare and women’s rights. Her birth record on MyHeritage provides a glimpse into her early life and roots in Sweden, illuminating the beginnings of a life dedicated to impactful service and transformational change.
Greta Strindberg in Sweden, Birth Records, on MyHeritage
Netherlands, Holland-America Line Passenger Lists – 2.6 million records
The Netherlands, Holland-America Line, Passenger Lists collection captures the travel history of passengers registered with the Holland America Line from 1900 to 1969. This renowned passenger and shipping line facilitated the journeys of numerous individuals from the Netherlands to North America. The collection provides valuable details such as passenger names, departure and arrival dates and places, ship names, and booking information, offering a glimpse into the rich travel heritage of those who embarked on this transatlantic voyage.
In this collection, we came across an intriguing record of the iconic Hollywood star Katharine Hepburn, the legendary actress known for her talent and timeless elegance. Hepburn’s presence in this collection offers a fascinating insight into her personal history and connection to the Holland America Line, showcasing her as both a traveler and a prominent figure of the entertainment industry.
Katharine Hepburn in The Netherlands, Holland-America Line, Passenger Lists collection on MyHeritage
1910 Norway Census – 2.5 million records
The fully completed 1910 Norway Census collection on MyHeritage is an invaluable resource. In collaboration with the National Archives of Norway, over the past year we’ve breathed new life into this substantial collection by completing it with original scanned images. The 1910 Norway Census boasts 2.4 million records, aiming to include every individual enumerated in Norway that year. Unlike many census records, each record in this collection presents a full date of birth, transforming it into a secondary birth index for all of Norway. Further details, including marital status, household members, and the census enumeration district, add depth to each record.
In this collection we found a listing for Edvard Munch, one of the most renowned figures in modern art, best known for his iconic work, The Scream. Born in 1863, Munch would have been 47 at the time of this census. Intriguingly, the record shows a line crossed out, indicating that Munch was not in residence at the time. This is a reminder of Munch’s transient lifestyle during these years, as he moved between Norway, Germany, and France to pursue his groundbreaking artistic endeavors. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the life of a master, further enhancing our understanding of the man behind the famous canvas.
Edvard Munch in the 1910 Norway Census on MyHeritage
Scotland Gravestones and Memorials – 615,000 records
This collection offers a wealth of information derived from headstones and memorials across Scotland. It includes photographs and transcriptions detailing key life events and familial relationships of many individuals with connections to this region. Transcriptions may contain names of relatives, birth dates, and death dates. This collection is particularly significant due to the cultural uniqueness of Scottish gravestones from the 18th and 19th centuries. The accompanying photographs often showcase intricate symbols carved in soft sandstone, symbolizing aspects of the deceased’s life such as their occupation or trade.
One gravestone that can be found in this collection is that of Adam Smith, a renowned Scottish economist, philosopher, and author of the 18th century often hailed as the father of modern economics. Smith fundamentally shaped our understanding of market dynamics through his concept of “the invisible hand,” which suggests that free markets self-regulate through supply and demand, minimizing the need for governmental intervention. In the Scotland, Gravestones and Memorials collection on MyHeritage, you can find a photograph of his gravestone in the Canongate Kirkyard on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Adam Smith in the Scotland Gravestones and Memorials collection on MyHeritage
Canada, British Columbia Births and Baptisms – 188,000 records
This collection contains birth and baptism records from British Columbia, Canada from 1773 onward. Records typically include the name of the child, date and place of birth, date and place of baptism, the names of the parents, British Columbia Archives (BCA) microfilm number, and Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) microfilm number. The records in this collection are © 2023 Royal BC Museum Corporation.It complements our collection of Canada, British Columbia Deaths and Canada, British Columbia Marriages.
Emily Carr, a pioneering figure in Canadian art, can be found in the Canada, British Columbia Births and Baptisms collection on MyHeritage. She was known for her bold, modernist paintings capturing the rugged landscapes and indigenous culture of British Columbia. She was born on December 13, 1871, to Richard Carr and Emily Sanders.
Australia, New South Wales, Gaol Inmates & Photos, 1870-1930 – 52,000 records
This unique collection contains information and images from the Gaol Photographic Description Books, which includes photographs of prisoners from several jails in New South Wales between the years 1870 and 1930. Records typically include the name of the prisoner, year and place of birth, the date the portrait was taken, and the prisoner’s jail and number. The records in this collection are courtesy of the State of New South Wales through the State Archives and Records Authority of NSW 2016.
One of the people featured in this collection is Matilda ‘Tilly’ Devine, an infamous brothel madam and organized crime boss who was born in London and later became a notorious figure in Sydney’s crime scene. She was frequently involved in various criminal activities, including the “Razor Wars.” We discovered an entry for Tilly in the Australia, New South Wales, Gaol Inmates & Photos, 1870-1930 collection on MyHeritage, that documents her two-year imprisonment in 1925 for malicious wounding. The record offers a captivating glimpse into her past, complete with a physical description and an inventory of her many scars — reminders of her tumultuous life.
Tilly Devine in the Australia, New South Wales, Gaol Inmates & Photos collection on MyHeritage
We brought Tilly’s photograph, found in the record above, to life using MyHeritage’s AI-based DeepNostalgia™ technology. This animated snapshot showcases a surprisingly innocent visage, a stark contrast to the hardened criminal figure that history remembers.
Photo of Tilly Devine, colorized, enhanced, and animated on MyHeritage
Israel Immigration Lists – 1.8 million records
This collection is the Israeli equivalent of the famous “Ellis Island” immigration database for the United States. The records in this collection include the name of the immigrant and the names of relatives who immigrated with them, country of origin, the name of the ship they arrived on, the date of arrival, names of parents, names of relatives who are expecting them in Israel, and their destination city in Israel.
Within this collection, we found multiple records for Golda Meir, Israeli stateswoman, politician, and the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. Born in Kiev, she immigrated to British Mandate Palestine in 1921, and traveled multiple times, resulting in multiple immigration records over the years.
Golda Meir, listed as Golda Meyerson in the Israel Immigration Lists collection on MyHeritage
MyHeritage Family Trees – 5.6 billion records
The MyHeritage Family Trees collection contains user-generated family trees. This constantly expanding and changing resource is valuable for anyone trying to grow their family tree. While the data can differ based on what each user knows about their family, the collection offers a rich source of information about familial connections and histories. Privacy is a top priority, so details about living people are kept private. The collection also offers a chance for users to connect, sharing information and discoveries about their shared heritage.
This collection is constantly updated as new family trees are added or updated daily.
We want to thank our users for being part of this journey with us. Your passion for genealogy and family history drives us to constantly improve and expand our collections. We look forward to what the next year of record additions will bring and the family history discoveries that will come along with it.
What sets MyHeritage apart is not just the sheer volume of records but also the global scope of our collections. Remember, every new record is a potential clue, a possible connection, a path to understanding more about your ancestors and where you come from. Keep checking back with us, because at MyHeritage, we’re adding new collections every day — and any one of them could hold the key to your past.
Make sure to tune in to our new Facebook Live series to stay updated on all the latest historical records we’ve added to MyHeritage. Twice a month, on the first and third Tuesday, we’re going live with MyHeritage content experts, Mike Mansfield and Myko Clelland. No registration is required, just hop over to facebook.com/myheritage at the scheduled time to watch live.
Happy searching, and here’s to another year of growth and discovery!
