Latest news with #Findmypast
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Digital collection of oldest English-language daily paper News Letter now available
From today, copies from across three centuries of the title will be accessible to the public for the first time. First published in September 1737, the News Letter will mark its 288th anniversary as the oldest continuously published English-language daily paper this year. The Northern Ireland Office has worked in partnership with the British Library and Findmypast to expand the online collection of the historic publication on the British Newspaper Archive dating to the late 18th, early 19th and 20th centuries. Announcing the launch, Secretary of State Hilary Benn visited the British Library in London to view the new additions to the online archive. The British Library provided originals of the News Letter in microfilm and newspaper format, which were digitised by the online platform Findmypast. Mr Benn said: 'It was wonderful to be able to view the newly digitised editions of the Belfast News Letter at the British Library in London using the online archive. 'Bringing Northern Ireland's newspaper heritage to a global audience will encourage research, exploration and appreciation of Northern Ireland's rich political and cultural history. 'This UK Government project has opened up a unique resource to readers and researchers in nations around the world with historic links to Northern Ireland, including the US.' The archive is available online through the British Newspaper Archive and on Findmypast and can be viewed freely at the British Library sites in London and Yorkshire, as well as at any library or by any private individual around the world with a subscription. Lee Wilkinson, managing director of DC Thomson History, which owns Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, said: 'Over the past 15 years, through our unique relationship with the British Library, we have been able to bring millions of these key historical records to communities across the globe so that families and researchers alike can uncover and understand their heritage.' British Library chief Rebecca Lawrence said: 'Digitising all known surviving copies of the News Letter and making them available online preserves a vital piece of heritage and opens up the archive to researchers around the world.' National World founder David Montgomery said: 'Digitising the News Letter is an important step in preserving the paper's iconic history of covering news from Northern Ireland and across the world for three centuries. By making historic copies of the paper available, we can recognise its continuing role in delivering quality journalism on stories that matter to its community.'
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Top 20 baby names set to make a comeback thanks to the 100-year rule
New research has revealed the baby names that are expected to surge in popularity - and the list is full of traditional monikers. New research has forecasted the top baby names set to make a comeback - and it's down to a trend known as the 100-year rule. Based on analysis of records, there is a trend that names follow a certain cycle of popularity, making a resurgence every century. The study from family history brand Findmypast also highlighted the influence Royal events have on the popularity of baby names. The name Elizabeth saw a 16 per cent surge in popularity in 1926, the year of the Queen's birth. Similarly, after a decline across the 1960s and 1970s, Prince Harry's birth in 1984 sparked a rise in popularity throughout the following decades. Findmypast anticipates the Royal fascination to continue across the next decade with families looking to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Lillibet and Archie, for inspiration. Royal marriages also provided the population with plenty of inspiration when it came to choosing a name for their babies throughout history, with a significant 56 per cent increase in babies named Phillip in 1947, the year the Prince married Elizabeth. Similarly, the name Diana saw a resurgence in 1981, in celebration of her wedding to Prince Charles with a staggering 122% increase in babies named after her. Newly digitised by Findmypast and made public for the first time in a century, the 1921 Census has shed light on the most popular names for infants. By analysing this data alongside current Royal trends, expert historians have predicted which baby names are most likely to experience a revival, reports Wales Online. The What's In a Name search tool on Findmypast now allows users to easily explore the history of individual names online. The top 10 girl baby names poised for a comeback Joan Mary Margaret Dorothy Gladys Irene Iris Elsie Ada Mabel The top 10 boy baby names poised for a comeback Ronald Arthur Robert Albert Freddie Edward Archie Ernest Isaac Harris Mary McKee, Head of Content Publishing Operations at Findmypast, said: "History always has a tendency to repeat itself and baby names are no exception. "All roads point to Joan as parents are increasingly looking to name their baby girls after strong female historical figures, and who better to take inspiration from than Joan of Arc. "When it comes to boys' names, these have a tendency of coming back into fashion but as their nickname equivalent - Frederick becomes Freddie, Archibald becomes Archie, and so there is every chance that Ronald could come back into circulation as Ronnie." Joan tops the list as the name most likely to make a comeback in the coming years. The name was previously in the Top 10 most popular baby names in 1921, as revealed by the 1921 Census, it then plummeted in popularity in the mid-1950s before falling out of the Top 100 entirely. The resurgence has even already begun for some names, with Arthur, Freddie and Edward re-entering the Top 100 Baby Names for Boys back in 2021, and Rose, Iris, Ada all featuring on the list for girls that year.
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Nearly half of Brits don't know when VE day happened, new study reveals – as country celebrates 80th anniversary
Shocking number of Brits can't name this key moment in history VE FORGET Nearly half of Brits don't know when VE day happened, new study reveals – as country celebrates 80th anniversary Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEARLY half of Brits do not know when VE Day happened – and one in 10 don't even know what it stands for. With the country gearing up to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, research of 2,000 adults revealed 46 per cent don't know when VE Day took place. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The research was commissioned by Findmypast to mark the launch of a VE Day photo archive 3 Many will mark the occasion with a moment of silence (41 per cent) and listening to or watching war stories (28 per cent) And 47 per cent are completely unaware of how their ancestors might have celebrated the momentous occasion in 1945. Despite this, 25 per cent wish they had photos of loved ones marking the day all those years ago. While 38 per cent want to see the celebratory traditions of VE Day kept alive for future generations. The research was commissioned by Findmypast to mark the launch of a VE Day photo archive, and is inviting the public to share their family connections and stories behind the historic images. Pat Owtram, who was 18 when she joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WREN) after signing the Official Secrets Act in Liverpool's Royal Liver Building – and went on to become a wartime codebreaker – still has vivid memories of 8th May 1945. She said: 'VE Day was an unforgettable day. 'It came as a huge relief, and I remember the cheers and tremendous excitement of the crowds as I joined them outside Buckingham Palace – though I didn't feel I could celebrate fully while my father was still a Prisoner of War. 'VE Day signified the beginning of a brighter future – six long years of war in Europe were over. 'I felt I'd played my part in the WRENs and looked forward to my father returning home. 'Keeping these memories alive is so important – and having access to wartime records really matters. VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 'They help us remember, understand, and pass these powerful stories on for future generations.' The study also found two-thirds (65 per cent) have either celebrated VE Day in the past or plan to this year. Many will mark the occasion with a moment of silence (41 per cent) and listening to or watching war stories (28 per cent). While others will talk to or about ancestors who served (18 per cent). Historian Lucy Worsley OBE said: 'VE Day in 1945 was a profound moment in our national history, and these images capture that feeling of immense relief and hope – but it's only if we take a deeper look into the stories behind these smiles that we can understand what this moment truly meant. 'That's why I'm calling on the public to delve deeper into their family's wartime experiences. 'This is a powerful way to understand the everyday realties during an extraordinary time, from your great granny on the Home Front operating industrial machinery to your great-uncles under fire on the Normandy beaches. 'On this special 80th anniversary, let's make sure these wartime stories come to light and are remembered.' Jen Baldwin from Findmypast added: 'The findings suggest that although many are still celebrating VE Day, knowledge of the special day is declining. 'Historical newspapers and records offer a treasure trove of information to help uncover and understand your ancestors' experiences. 'This new collection reveals how millions flocked to the streets to celebrate, but the stories behind many of those smiling faces are not widely known. 'We want everyone to help us create a collective record of the nation's wartime family stories – from the eve of war to VE Day celebrations – to preserve these precious memories for generations to come.'
The Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Nearly half of Brits don't know when VE day happened, new study reveals – as country celebrates 80th anniversary
NEARLY half of Brits do not know when VE Day happened – and one in 10 don't even know what it stands for. With the country gearing up to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, research of 2,000 adults revealed 46 per cent don't know when VE Day took place. 3 3 And 47 per cent are completely unaware of how their ancestors might have celebrated the momentous occasion in 1945. Despite this, 25 per cent wish they had photos of loved ones marking the day all those years ago. While 38 per cent want to see the celebratory traditions of VE Day kept alive for future generations. The research was commissioned by Findmypast to mark the launch of a VE Day photo archive, and is inviting the public to share their family connections and stories behind the historic images. Pat Owtram, who was 18 when she joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WREN) after signing the Official Secrets Act in Liverpool's Royal Liver Building – and went on to become a wartime codebreaker – still has vivid memories of 8th May 1945. She said: 'VE Day was an unforgettable day. 'It came as a huge relief, and I remember the cheers and tremendous excitement of the crowds as I joined them outside Buckingham Palace – though I didn't feel I could celebrate fully while my father was still a Prisoner of War. 'VE Day signified the beginning of a brighter future – six long years of war in Europe were over. 'I felt I'd played my part in the WRENs and looked forward to my father returning home. 'Keeping these memories alive is so important – and having access to wartime records really matters. VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 'They help us remember, understand, and pass these powerful stories on for future generations.' The study also found two-thirds (65 per cent) have either celebrated VE Day in the past or plan to this year. Many will mark the occasion with a moment of silence (41 per cent) and listening to or watching war stories (28 per cent). While others will talk to or about ancestors who served (18 per cent). Historian Lucy Worsley OBE said: 'VE Day in 1945 was a profound moment in our national history, and these images capture that feeling of immense relief and hope – but it's only if we take a deeper look into the stories behind these smiles that we can understand what this moment truly meant. 'That's why I'm calling on the public to delve deeper into their family's wartime experiences. 'This is a powerful way to understand the everyday realties during an extraordinary time, from your great granny on the Home Front operating industrial machinery to your great-uncles under fire on the Normandy beaches. 'On this special 80th anniversary, let's make sure these wartime stories come to light and are remembered.' Jen Baldwin from Findmypast added: 'The findings suggest that although many are still celebrating VE Day, knowledge of the special day is declining. 'Historical newspapers and records offer a treasure trove of information to help uncover and understand your ancestors' experiences. 'This new collection reveals how millions flocked to the streets to celebrate, but the stories behind many of those smiling faces are not widely known. 'We want everyone to help us create a collective record of the nation's wartime family stories – from the eve of war to VE Day celebrations – to preserve these precious memories for generations to come.' 3
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Nearly half of Brits don't know when VE day happened, new study reveals – as country celebrates 80th anniversary
NEARLY half of Brits do not know when VE Day happened – and one in 10 don't even know what it stands for. With the country gearing up to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, research of 2,000 adults revealed 46 per cent don't know when VE Day took place. Advertisement 3 The research was commissioned by Findmypast to mark the launch of a VE Day photo archive 3 Many will mark the occasion with a moment of silence (41 per cent) and listening to or watching war stories (28 per cent) And 47 per cent are completely unaware of how their ancestors might have celebrated the momentous occasion in 1945. Despite this, 25 per cent wish they had photos of loved ones marking the day all those years ago. While 38 per cent want to see the celebratory traditions of VE Day kept alive for future generations. The research was commissioned by Advertisement Read more on News Pat Owtram, who was 18 when she joined the She said: 'VE Day was an unforgettable day. 'It came as a huge relief, and I remember the cheers and tremendous excitement of the crowds as I joined them outside Buckingham Palace – though I didn't feel I could celebrate fully while my father was still a Prisoner of War. 'VE Day signified the beginning of a brighter future – six long years of war in Europe were over. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive 'I felt I'd played my part in the WRENs and looked forward to my father returning home. 'Keeping these memories alive is so important – and having access to wartime records really matters. VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 'They help us remember, understand, and pass these powerful stories on for future generations.' The study also found two-thirds (65 per cent) have either celebrated VE Day in the past or plan to this year. Advertisement Many will mark the occasion with a moment of silence (41 per cent) and listening to or watching war stories (28 per cent). While others will talk to or about ancestors who served (18 per cent). Historian Lucy Worsley OBE said: 'VE Day in 1945 was a profound moment in our national history, and these images capture that feeling of immense relief and hope – but it's only if we take a deeper look into the stories behind these smiles that we can understand what this moment truly meant. 'That's why I'm calling on the public to delve deeper into their family's wartime experiences. Advertisement 'This is a powerful way to understand the everyday realties during an extraordinary time, from your great granny on the Home Front operating industrial machinery to your great-uncles under fire on the 'On this special 80th anniversary, let's make sure these wartime stories come to light and are remembered.' Jen Baldwin from Findmypast added: 'The findings suggest that although many are still celebrating VE Day, knowledge of the special day is declining. 'Historical newspapers and records offer a treasure trove of information to help uncover and understand your ancestors' experiences. Advertisement 'This new collection reveals how millions flocked to the streets to celebrate, but the stories behind many of those smiling faces are not widely known. 'We want everyone to help us create a collective record of the nation's wartime family stories – from the eve of war to VE Day celebrations – to preserve these precious memories for generations to come.' 3 While others will talk to or about ancestors who served (18 per cent)
