The Library Edition of Ancestry is free of charge for people using libraries and now it is available at home too

Ancestry (Library edition) offers access to historical documents and photographs, plus local history, oral histories, indexes and other resources.

You can search:
• Census records for England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands from 1841 to 1901
• Military, immigration/emigration, court and probate records
• England and Wales Civil Registration indexes for births, deaths and marriages
• UK and Ireland parish and probate records from the 1500s to the 1800s and even earlier
• England and Wales National Probate Calendar from 1861 to 1941
• Return of Owners of Land 1873 for England and Wales
• Registers of coroner’s inquests for New South Wales, Australia from 1796 to 1947
• UK naval medals from 1793 to 1972
• Military campaign medal award rolls from 1914 to 1949
• Second World War prisoners of the Japanese
To use Ancestry, people just need to type in their ancestor’s name and any other details they know such as when and where they were born, or when they got married.

The site is available through the council’s website at www.durham.gov.uk/libraryonline

People must be library members to use it but if they are not already they can become a member free of charge by visiting the library online webpage.

The council has already moved the library service’s popular storytelling sessions for children online.
Cllr Joy Allen said: “Ancestry is a fascinating resource that our library service offers free of charge, allowing people to find out more about their family history and to access a wealth of historical documents and photos.
“In these difficult times when we are all being asked to stay indoors, it is great that our library service is able to offer both Ancestry and the storytelling sessions online – providing residents of all ages with educational and entertaining activities they can enjoy at home, and all free of charge.
“We hope residents will connect with the library service and enjoy the many benefits free membership brings during the current restrictions and beyond.”

The library service also offers members access to a wide range of eMagazines such as Family Tree Magazine and Your Family History, which will give readers ideas for scrap booking, preserving photos and lots more.

These can be also be accessed at www.durham.gov.uk/libraryonline


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