New Free Historical Records on FamilySearch 1 May 2023

Question

FamilySearch expanded its free online archives in the week of 1 May 2023 with over 20 million new indexed family history records. Collections added for the United States include millions of draft registration cards and one expansive collection of WWII draft records covering the 4th draft (April 1942). Expanded collections include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Record of Members (Worldwide), 1836-1970. New historical records were also added from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Ukraine, and Venezuela. 

https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/new-records-1-may-2023?cid=em-fsn-16083

Comments

Thanks for noting this, Rich. I'm sure there is a lot of valuable new material there.

However, the item for Australia is

"Australia, Victoria, Wills, Probate and Administration Files, 1841-1926." Database with images. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 10 May 2023. Public Record Office of Victoria, Australia.

This is available directly from the Public Record Office, without needing a FamilySearch login, through the search on their home page

https://prov.vic.gov.au/

The search works quite well, allowing date ranges and several more advanced criteria. Records up to some point, perhaps in the 1920s, have images. Unlike in the FamilySearch offering, metadata is available for wills and grants of probate almost to the present day, nearly always including an exact date of death.

Answer 1

Wow, a landslide of new records to explore between this and the 1931 Census for Canada due to be released June 1st!