We just made an additional 2.5 million court records available to search online in the Irish Petty Sessions Court Registers 1828-1912 record set, which exposes the petty crimes Ireland’s residents committed and how they were punished. This addition features 44 new courts in 19 counties around Ireland. A further 55 courts have been supplemented with records from additional years. This brings the total Petty Sessions Court Registers on findmypast.com to more than 12 million records.

Notable new courts that have been added are the Limerick City Children’s Court and two courts with pre-famine records – Moynalty, Co. Meath and Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. For the first time, seven new courts from Co. Longford have been added, making more than a quarter of a million new records for the county available online. Also, a number of new courts were added from Co. Laois (five) and Co. Cork (four).

Being drunk in a public place, being drunk in charge of a cart, failure to pay rent and allowing livestock to wander on the road are among some of the most common misdemeanors that sent our ancestors to court.  While most of the defendants in these records were only charged with a fine, the variety of cases provides a colorful look into Irish life through this time.

D. Joshua Taylor, lead genealogist for findmypast.com, said, “This growing collection of exciting records adds valuable detail for Americans looking into their Irish roots.”

New courts have been added to the following counties: Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford and Westmeath.

This and all new record collection additions are available across all international findmypast sites with a World Subscription.

Findmypast.com’s expertise at digitizing historical records and uniting communities provides the tools to help people connect with their past and present.

These collections of records and newspapers are available across all international sites. All new record additions to any one international site are also added to all other international sites.

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The 1926 lost Great Gatsby film, Paramount Pictures

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s magnum opus, has been at the heart of America’s literary pride since 1925. Since it’s debut, the best-selling novel has been repurposed for every artistic medium possible, sometimes to the chagrin of Fitzgerald’s ‘purest’ fans. While we rush off to the theater to see Baz Luhrmann’s  modern adaptation of the original movie play book, perhaps it’s good that we look back to opinion’s of the past while we formulate our own.

Here is a review from the original lost silent film that could very well have been read by your ancestors who were curious about Hollywood’s interpretations of F. Scott’s original work. This first ever Great Gatsby film, an adaptation of a stage play version, was released by Paramount Pictures in 1926 and paved the way for three more Gatsby films (1949, 1974 and 2013). This and many other reviews can be found in the collection of newspapers on findmypast.com, an archive of world history from around the globe.

According to wikipedia,

“The film was entrusted to a contract Paramount director, Herbert Brenon who designed the film as lightweight, popular entertainment, playing up the party scenes at Gatsby’s mansion and emphasizing their scandalous elements. The film had a running time of 80 minutes, or 7,296 feet. No copies of the film are known to survive.”

This article could very well be the most we will ever know about the original Gatsby film.

Review of the lost Great Gatsby film; Billings Gazette, Dec. 13 1926

“The best accessory to identify period men’s fashion is a woman.”

(Listen to part 1 of this episode: Women’s Fashion History)

On Mother’s Day, we had mother and fashion historian, Paulette Uris, call in to the podcast for the second installment on using fashion trends to identify the dates of old photos. Discussing history and the very subtle evolution of men’s clothes, we provide clues that could get you closer to your past.

“The tie is the one piece for men that is an art itself.”

Podcast Contents (timestamp):

Frank Danzer, Tyler’s Great Great Grandfather

• 00:48 – Why men’s fashion is hard to identify
• 01:09 – The rise of conservative trends
• 02:05 – Key identifiers in men’s clothing
• 04:30 – Iconic fashion items; possibly misleading
• 05:15 – 1850′s
• 06:31 – 1860′s
• 08:07 – 1870′s
• 11:02 – 1880′s
• 13:39 – Paulette looks at a photo of Tyler’s great great grandfather, Frank Danzer
• 14:55 – FAMILY HISTORY DISCOVERY: The Danzer family in the US census
• 19:59 – 1890′s

1921: Persevered Burns and a Two-Story Fall to Save Her Entire Family

Hull Daily Mail – Monday 12 September 1921

While dashing to save her three children and husband, Mrs. Booty suffered severe burns all over her face and body. After rescuing one child she fell two stories from her burning home. In “less than a second,” she jumps to her feet and runs back into the smoke and flames and safely retrieves the rest of her family.

1898: Heroic Mother Cat: “The bravest creature I have ever seen during all my years of firefighting” 

Goshen Daily Democrat April 12, 1898

This cat earned her title of heroic mother. When a house so engulfed by flames that the teams of firemen dared not enter, onlookers were shocked to see a sprinting cat head straight into the flames. Brushing her off as a crazed animal, they all gasped to see her coming out of the blaze, fur scorched, with a kitten dangling in her mouth. Depositing the cat to safety, she sped back in the flames for many minutes and again emerged, even more scorched and ears completely burned away holding a second kitten. The crowds cheered in astonishment of her courageousness. The little family was taken to the engine house and their wounds were treated.

1931: Powers through Misfortunes to Keep Sons in School

Nottingham Evening Post – Monday 26 June 1931

To put her two sons through University and medical school, a mother started work in a laborious goldfield. Was she was dealt an unfortunate plot of land with no water. Though many thought impossible, she worked days on end to level her hillside property until it was workable. The prospectors were so impressed in her removing the land burden, they gave her permission to use a neighbor’s water source but only from midnight to 6am. Not to be defeated, she took the offer and spent all her nights in the bitter cold washing gold while the rest of her camp slept.

1933: Plunges into Raging River to Rescue Daughter

Gloucestershire Echo – Wednesday 01 February 1933

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith did not hesitate to jump eight feet into the swift running water after her daughter who was thrown in by a car on an icy road. Mrs. Smith was able to get her daughter to shore but she did not survive.

1862: Stands with Sons in Combat

Hereford Times – Saturday 13 September 1862

A mother bravely joins her four sons on the battlefield in combat. One son was killed while holding their nations flag and then was replaced by his brother. Brother replaced brother to keep the flag standing. Once witnessing all four of her sons die for the cause, the heroic mother stepped in to carry on their message in the face of their killers declaring,

“She would never give up the standard until she could place it in the hands of one of her grandsons.”

1931: Underfed and Overworked, a Mother Dies to Feed and Care for Husband and Six Children

Dundee Courier – Saturday 24 January 1931

With a husband wounded in war, Mrs. Hunt was left to support her family of six children. She kept the house spotless and often went without so the rest of her family could eat. All of this done without letting neighbors or friends know about her troubles. She fainted twice while scrubbing a floor before passing from a heart attack.

1788: Defended her household from attack when her husband couldn’t

Derby Mercury – Thursday 30 October 1788

Her house ambushed by Indians and her husband badly injured by the initial attack, this mother stepped up to defend her family. The heroic woman kept the attackers at bay, fatally wounding any who attempted to enter her home. Shaken by her bravery, the ambushers finally retreated. Despite her husband’s broken arm and leg, her family was safe.

1934: Gives Blood in Attempt to Save Son

Dundee Courier – Friday 24 August 1934

Today, blood transfusions common and considered safe. Transfusions in the 1930’s were less successful and considered much more invasive and dangerous for the donor. A mother stepping up to offer blood at this time was seen as an astonishing act of bravery, enough to land a spot in the newspaper. Despite his death, she did all she could to keep him alive.

It’s National Military Appreciation  Month! Throughout the month of May, events and national holidays are observed across the United States to give well-deserved appreciation to all of the men and women, now and throughout history, that have risked their lives to protect their country.

Free military records in honor of Memorial Day

Findmypast.com wants you to honor the brave veterans in your family tree. All US and international military records can be accessed for no charge from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27. No code required or payment information taken – just register on our site.

Check out our list of military records.

Check out this fascinating inforgraphic from MyMilitaryBase.com about Military Families in the United States.

The Demographics of Military Families infographic

Whether you are giving a present to your newlywed friends or your own spouse, the idea of gifting on this major life event goes far back into antiquity.We can often credit this tradition for the cherished family heirlooms that have been passed down to us over generations. Learning about these age old customs bring us closer to our ancestors and the important moments in their lives. If you’re inspired, you can search our collection of more than 160 million historical marriage records from around the globe.

Customary gifts for each anniversary year:

1st Anniversary
Gifts: Paper

2nd Anniversary
Gifts: Cotton

3rd Anniversary
Gift: Leather

4th Anniversary
Gift: Fruit or Flowers

5th Anniversary
Gifts: Wood

6th Anniversary
Gift: Candy or Iron

7th Anniversary
Gift: Wool or Copper

8th Anniversary
Gift: Bronze or Pottery

9th Anniversary
Gift: Pottery and Willow

10th Anniversary
Gift: Tin or Aluminum

15th Anniversary
Gift: Crystal

20th Anniversary
Gift: China

25th Anniversary
Gift: Silver

30th Anniversary
Gift: Pearls

35th Anniversary
Gift: Coral

40th Anniversary
Gift: Ruby

45th Anniversary
Gift: Sapphire

50th Anniversary
Gift: Gold

55th Anniversary
Gift: Emerald

60th Anniversary
Gift: Yellow Diamond

65th Anniversary
Gift: Star Sapphire, Gray

75th Anniversary
Gift: Large Diamonds and gold

80th Anniversary
Gift: Diamond and Pearls

100th Anniversary
Gift: 10K diamond

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, held on the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing on the 25th April each year. It is a day to honour those that sacrificed their lives, those that came home and all the families affected by wars all around the world. ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is now also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga and honors all those who served.

In commemoration of Anzac Day, findmypast is helping people build their own family wartime memories with the Anzac Memory Bank . This online commemorative vault contains heroic stories, photos, and expert information about Australian and New Zealand involvement in all wars and conflicts around the world. People have shared their own personal and family stories, photos and diary entries so others can learn what it was like to live through these times of turmoil.

The Anzac Day Memory Bank provides a place for people to remember the sacrifices of these brave men and women.

Since its settlement in 1620, many areas of Massachusetts have carefully recorded births, marriages, and deaths in their respective towns. This collection, compiled by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, offers more than 2 million records of births, deaths, and marriages from the 1600s to 1850.

Originally printed in books for each town, these events were compiled from primary source records, cemetery inscriptions, church records, and other private records over the course of many years. Images from the collection offer the original page from the published book, which can reveal the name(s) of an individual’s parent as well as information that can be used to track the original source of the data.

These collections include many early Massachusetts figures from the American Revolution and the founding of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies (Mayflower, Salem Witches, etc.).

For further information, contact the town clerk where the event is recorded.