Fascinating women's records online for the first time

Just in time for International Women's Day, we've released two brand new collections of women's records that have never been available online until now.

British Army, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps 1917-1920

Uncover details of the remarkable women who served during the First World War with these detailed military records. They've been published online for the first time, only at Findmypast. Taken from The National Archives' WO 162 and WO 368 series, the records include:

• WO 162/54 women emigrating after the war
• WO 162/58 WAAC administrators in France
• WO 162/62 lists of female motor drivers
• WO 162/65 recommendations for honors and mentions in Peace Gazette

You'll find detailed transcripts and original document images for all of the records. They can provide amazing color and context for your family tree including next of kin information, medical histories, and military service details.

British Armed Forces, First World War Disability & Retirement Payments For Officers & Nurses

Another online first from The National Archives, these records are packed with information on Great War officers and nurses. In particular, you'll uncover details on the pay and gratuities that were given to invalided officers from the three branches of the Armed Forces, as well as nurses' disability payments.

The collection comprises of 40 pieces from six series:

1. PMG 42 – Ministry of Pensions: Disability Retired Pay, Gratuities, etc
2. PMG 43 – Ministry of Pensions: Supplementary Allowances and Special Grants
3. PMG 44 – Ministry of Pensions: Pensions to Relatives of Deceased Officers
4. PMG 45 – Ministry of Pensions: Widows Pensions
5. PMG 46 – Ministry of Pensions: Children’s Allowances
6. PMG 47 – Ministry of Pensions: Relatives of Missing Officer

You can learn more about what's included in each series on the record set search page.

Alongside our new releases, be sure to explore our extensive collection of Women’s Royal Navy and Women’s Royal Air Force records to discover if your family tree is hiding a pioneer of girl power.

England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019

We’ve added a massive 9.3 million additional records to this useful resource which now dates as far back as 1858. This latest update brings the mammoth collection to just over 24 million records.

An official government index for England and Wales, the records include transcripts and images that provide facts on your relatives' deaths and what they left behind. You could find death and probate dates, next of kin details, the value of their effects and much more. Images of the indexes are only featured for entries up until 1996.

Newspapers

This week, we've released two brand new papers and made substantial updates to 12 existing ones. The brand new additions are;

• Bradford Weekly Telegraph covering the years 1882-1896, 1898-1899, 1901-1910 and 1912-1917
• Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser covering the years 1870 and 1873-1934

Has your family's local paper grown? Below is a list of historical newspapers that have been supplemented and the years covered;

• Burton Chronicle - 1898 and 1901-1906
• Brecon County Times - 1871
• Truth - 1885 and 1895
• Freedom (London) - 1906-1927
• Halifax Evening Courier - 1900 and 1910
• Blyth News - 1874, 1894, 1905-1908, 1910, 1912-1930 and 1940-1950
• Western Evening Herald - 1897
• The Bioscope - 1908 and 1910
• Brighouse News - 1897
• Aberdeen Evening Express - 1972-1974
• South Wales Gazette - 1896
• Kent & Sussex Courier - 1966-1976 and 1978

Findmypast Fridays live

Have this week's records or newspapers unlocked a new family story for you? Tell us about your discoveries over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #WhereWillYourPastTakeYou?