Saturday, June 20, 2026

Compendium of Family Biographies, Stories and Videos For My Richmond/White/Rich/Oatley Lines

 Over four decades, I have done genealogical research for my ancestry, and have found quite a bit of information about my ancestral families.  Over the past two years, I have written and published genealogical sketches for each couple in my ancestry back through my 3rd great-grandparents, plus additional sketches for my Seaver line and selected Revolutionary War ancestors. 

From the genealogical sketches have come AI-assisted biographies based solely on the sketches, and from the biographies have come AI-assisted ancestor life memoirs and stories for each person or couple. Finally, I have used Google NotebookLM to create infographics, video overviews and slide decks for the biographies and many of the stories.  

The purpose of this blog post is to collect the information for each of my ancestral Richman-related families in one compendium -- three generations of my grandmother Alma Bessie Richmond's ancestors (Richman, Rich, White and Oatley):  


1)  My Great-Grandparents Thomas Richmond (1848-1917) and Julia E. White (1848-1913):

* Genealogical Sketch: #10 Thomas Richman/Richmond (1848-1917)
* Genealogical Sketch:  Julia E. (White) Richmond (1848-1913)
* ABC Biography:  #10 Thomas Richman/Richmond (1848-1917) of Wiltshire, England and New England, USA 
* ABC Biography:  #11 Julia E. "Juliett" (White) Richmond (1848-1913) of Windham County, Connecticut
*  Video: The Thomas Richmond Family in 1898 in Leominster, Massachusetts
* Video: Newspaper Article About Julia (White) Richmond in 1908 in Killingly, Conn.
* Slide Presentation:

3)  My 2nd Great-Grandparents Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) and Amy Frances Oatley (1826-1864):

* Genealogical Sketch: #22 Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) of Killingly, Conn.
* Genealogical Sketch: #23 Amy Frances (Oatley) White (1826-1864) of Killingly, Conn.
* ABC Biography:  #22 Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) of Rhode Island and Connecticut 
* ABC Biography:  #23 Amy Frances (Oatley) White (1826-1864) of Rhode Island and Connecticut 
* Slide Presentation:

4)  My 3rd Great-Grandparents John Richman (1788-1857) and Ann Marshman (1784-1856):  

* Genealogical Sketch:  #40 John Richman (1788-1867)
* Genealogical Sketch:  #41 Ann (Marshman) Richman (1784-1856)
* ABC Biography:  #40 John Richman (1788-1867) of Hilperton, Wiltshire 
* ABC Biography:  #41 Ann (Marshman) Richman (1784-1856) of Hilperton, Wiltshire
* Poem and Song:  "The Wiltshire Weaver" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence 

* Poem and Song: "James Richman's Journey" -- An Ancestor's Story In Poem and Song Created by Artificial Intelligence

*  Life Memoir: Memories of John Richman (1788-1867) in 1867 – A Life Memoir 

*  Life Memoir:  Ann (Marshman) Richman's Life Memories - An AI-Assisted Memoir
* Story:  "What Was Life Like for John Richman age 12, in 1800 in Hilperton, Wiltshire?"
* Video: Life Memoir of John Richman (1788 1867) of Wiltshire

* Slide Presentation:

5)  My 3rd Great-Grandparents John Rich (1790-1868) and Rebecca Hill (1788-1862):

* Genealogical Sketch:  #42 John Rich (1791-1868)
* Genealogical Sketch:  #43 Rebecca Hill (1788-1862)
* ABC Biography:  #42 John Rich (1790-1868) of Hilperton, Wiltshire
* ABC Biography:  #43 Rebecca (Hill) Rich (1788-1862) of Hilperton, Wiltshire
* Poem and Song:  "Rebecca's Song" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence 

* Poem and Song: "John Rich's Legacy" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence 

* Life Memoir:  Life Memoir of John Rich (1790-1868) in Hilperton, Wiltshire in 1867

*  Life Memoir:  AI-assisted Ten Interview Questions and Answers Of Rebecca (Hill) Rich (1788-1862) About Her Life Experiences 

* Story:
* Video:  Rebecca Hill Rich 1788 - 1862 AI-assisted Ten Interview Questions/Answers Video

* Video: Life Memoir of John Rich (1790-1968) of Hilperton, Wiltshire

* Slide Presentation:

6)  My 3rd Great-Grandparents Jonathan White (1804-1850) and Miranda Wade (1804-1850):

* Genealogical Sketch:  #44 Jonathan White (1804-1850)
* Genealogical Sketch:  #45 Miranda (Wade) White (1804-1850)
* ABC Biography:  #44 Jonathan White (1804-1850) of Rhode Island and Connecticut 
* ABC Biography:  #45 Miranda (Wade) White (1804-1850) of Rhode Island and Connecticut 
* Poem and Song:  "Miranda's Loves" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence

*  Poem and Song:  "Jonathan White's Life" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence

*  Life Memoir:  Jonathan White (1804-1850) Reminisces About His Life Experiences 
* Story:
* Video:  Jonathan White (1804-1850) Reminisces About his Life

* Slide Presentation:

7)  My 3rd Great-Grandparents Jonathan Oatley (1791-1872) and Amy Champlin (1798-1865):

* Genealogical Sketch:  #46 Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) 
* Genealogical Sketch:  #47 Amy (Champlin) Oatley (1798-1865)
* ABC Biography:  #46 Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) of Rhode Island and Connecticut
* ABC Biography:  #47 Amy (Champlin) Oatley (1798-1865) of Rhode Island and Connecticut 

*  Poem and Song:  "Jonathan's Faith" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence 

*  Poem and Song:  "Amy's Light" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence 
* Life Memoir:  Interview Questions And Answers For Rev. Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) About His Life Experiences

*  Life Memoir:  Amy (Champlin) Oatley's Life Memories - An AI-Assisted Memoir

* Story: Describe Jonathan and Amy Oatley Discussing the Call to East Killingly in 1834 

* Video:  Jonathan and Amy Oatley Discuss a Move in 1834 to East Killingly, Conn.

* Video:  Rev. Jonathan Oatley's Life Video Overview

*  Video: Amy (Champlin) Oatley's Life Video Overview

* Slide Presentation:

============================

A benefit of creating these AI-assisted stories is that I have learned much more about the lives of my Richman/Rich/White/Oatley ancestors I've learned more about their families, their communities, their education, their work, their community activities, their entertainment and fun.  Each person and family experiences unqiue historical and family events throughout their lives, and these stories capture at least some of them.  

One of the benefits of creating this compendium is seeing where I've missed a biography, a memoir, a story, a poem, a song, a video, or a slide presentation.  I will try to fill in those "blanks" as time permits, and update this compendium.

First Updated:  20 June 2026
Last Updated:  20 June 2026

                               ==============================================

Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Ask AI: "Describe Life In the William Knapp Family of Newton, New Jersey in 1825"

I wondered if my AI Assistant Anthropic Claude could provide me with information about an ancestral family's life in 1825 in Newton, New Jersey.  My 3rd great-grandparents William and Sarah (Cutter) Knapp had married in 1804, and had ten children by 1825.  I posted ABC Biographies for them in ABC Biography of #58 William Knapp (1775-1856) of New York and New Jersey and ABC Biography of #59 Sarah (Cutter) Knapp (1785-1878) of New Jersey.

I asked Anthropic Claude to create a description of the William Knapp family life and work in Newton, New Jersey in 1825, based on the biography and social history.

           (AI NotebookLM Infographic -- William Knapp Family Life in 1825 in New Jersey)

The Claude Sonnet 4.6 response was:


Life in the William Knapp Household: Newton, New Jersey, 1825

The Family at Mid-Point

In 1825, the William Knapp family was thriving in Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey. William, now 50 years old, had established himself as a skilled craftsman and respected community member over the previous two decades. Sarah, age 40, managed a bustling household that included nine living children ranging from infants to young adults. This was a pivotal moment—the family was well-established but still actively raising younger children while the oldest were beginning their own lives.

At this time, the household would have included:

  • Joseph (20) and Samuel (19), young men working alongside their father or establishing their own trades

  • Cyrus (15) and Charles (12), old enough to assist in family work

  • Catherine (15) and Hannah (9), helping their mother with household management

  • Sarah (7), still in the early years of childhood

  • William Jr. (2), the baby of the family at this moment

  • Manning M. was born in June 1825, the newest addition to the family

Daily Work and Occupation

William's occupation as a shoemaker occupied the center of the family's economic life. A June 1825 entry in the Sussex Register newspaper reveals the nature of his work at this exact time: the local store had "engaged William Knapp to make morocco shoes." Morocco leather—a fine, high-quality material imported or specially prepared—indicates that William's craft extended beyond simple utilitarian footwear to finer goods that served wealthier or more discerning customers.

The shoe workshop likely occupied part of their Spring Street property. William would have maintained leather, tools, and works-in-progress there. His sons, particularly the older ones, probably assisted in the trade, learning the skills of cutting, stitching, and finishing that would provide them with occupational knowledge. In an era before industrial factories dominated shoemaking, a master craftsman like William would have produced shoes to order, measuring customers' feet and creating custom-fitted footwear.

The work was year-round but likely followed seasonal patterns. Winter, with its demand for sturdy boots and the need for indoor work, might have been busier than summer. The family would have depended on this income both for daily necessities and to accumulate the modest capital that would eventually give them security.

Household Management and Family Economy

Sarah Knapp's role, while less visible in historical records, was absolutely central to the family's survival and success. Managing a household of eleven people (including servants if any were employed) required extraordinary organizational skill, physical labor, and constant attention.

The kitchen and hearth were the heart of the home. Cooking was done over an open fire, requiring knowledge of temperature control, timing, and nutrition. Sarah would have baked bread regularly—probably twice weekly—and prepared meals that stretched limited resources through soups, stews, and one-pot dishes. Meat, when available, came from local butchers and was preserved through salting or smoking. Vegetables came from a family garden, supplemented by preservation techniques like pickling and root-cellar storage.

Water had to be drawn from a well, heated for washing and cleaning. Laundry was a weekly task involving soaking, scrubbing, boiling, rinsing, wringing, and hanging clothes to dry—labor-intensive work for a family of this size. Mending and clothing repair were constant occupations. The family's clothing was either home-sewn or purchased from tailors, making garment maintenance crucial.

Sarah likely employed one or two younger women or girls as servants or helpers, a common practice for middle-class families. These servants would have been local girls earning wages and learning household management skills.

Children's Education

In 1825, formal education in rural New Jersey was quite limited. There was no public school system; education depended on private schools, hired tutors, or informal family instruction. A family of William's standing—a Justice of the Peace with community respect—would have valued education, but access was restricted.

The younger children probably attended a local school when one was available, likely a one-room structure with a single teacher instructing multiple age groups. The school day would have been shorter in winter (due to cold and the need for children's help at home) and in summer (during harvest time). The curriculum would have focused on reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious instruction.

The Methodist Church, of which William was an early member, placed great emphasis on literacy—to read the Bible was a fundamental religious practice. William and Sarah likely ensured their children could read, though not all may have attended formal school. The older boys, particularly those who might follow their father's trade, would have learned through apprenticeship and family instruction rather than classroom education.

Community and Religious Life

The Methodist Episcopal Church was central to the family's community identity. In 1825, the congregation was still relatively young, and church members continued to gather in makeshift venues. The Knapps would have traveled a mile or two to services, likely in a wagon or on horseback, on Sundays and possibly for midweek prayer meetings.

The Sunday journey to church was itself a major event in the family's week. The children would dress in their best clothing—modest, plain garments appropriate to Methodist values. The church service would have lasted two to three hours, featuring hymn singing, prayer, and preaching that emphasized personal salvation, moral living, and community responsibility.

Newton in 1825 was still small enough that most families knew one another. The community centered around the courthouse area and the intersection of main roads. William, as a Justice of the Peace, would have had regular contact with other civic leaders. He likely attended town meetings and participated in local governance and dispute resolution.

Social Gatherings and Entertainment

Entertainment in 1825 Newton was simple and often tied to community or family occasions. There were no theaters, concert halls, or public amusements. Entertainment was primarily social, religious, or work-related.

Seasonal gatherings would have included harvest celebrations and possibly barn raisings when new construction was needed. These were both work and social events, bringing families together for meals prepared by women while men worked on building projects.

Holiday observances included Christmas (though Methodists observed it less elaborately than Anglican traditions), New Year's, and possibly local celebration days. These would have meant special meals, family gatherings, and time away from regular work.

Religious activities provided significant social engagement. In addition to Sunday services, there were likely prayer meetings, Bible studies, and visits among church members. Young people's gatherings at church were important social occasions where courtship could occur—indeed, several of William's older children would have been in the age range for such activities in 1825.

Domestic entertainment included music, storytelling, games, and reading aloud by the fire on winter evenings. Books were expensive and scarce, but the Bible would have been present in the home. Newspapers like the Sussex Register provided news, advertisements, and occasional human interest stories that would be discussed and shared.

Games likely included cards, chess, or dice—pastimes that didn't require expensive equipment. Children played outdoors with simple toys made at home or objects from nature.

Material Life and Physical Surroundings

The Knapp home on Spring Street was a substantial property for the time. Real estate records indicate it was built by Hugh McMahan and was valued enough to attract notice in property advertisements. The house likely had multiple rooms—a parlor for receiving guests, a kitchen/hearth area, bedrooms upstairs, and possibly a separate structure or area for the shoemaking workshop.

The property was valuable enough (William later reported $800 in real estate value in 1850) to indicate a comfortable middle-class status, but not wealth. The home would have been furnished modestly, with chairs, tables, beds, and storage chests being the main furniture. Heating came from the fireplace. Lighting came from candles (expensive) or oil lamps (cheaper but smelly). There was no running water or indoor plumbing.

Clothing was made of wool, linen, and cotton. The family's wardrobe would have been limited—work clothes for daily use, church clothes for Sunday, perhaps special garments for formal occasions. Children often wore hand-me-downs, and worn clothing was constantly mended rather than replaced.

The Rhythm of Life

The rhythm of life in 1825 was determined by daylight, seasons, and religious observance. Work began at dawn and continued until darkness fell. Summer provided long working days; winter shortened them. The arrival of evening meant time around the hearth for family.

Sunday was the day of rest, devoted to church and family time. The other six days followed patterns determined by William's shoemaking work, Sarah's household management, the children's education and chores, and the needs of the household and property.

This was a life of labor and duty, but also of family bonds, community connection, and religious faith. The Knapps were building something lasting—not just a successful business, but a family network and a place of respect in their community that would be remembered for generations.

================================

The AI Google NotebookLM Video Overview of this story is in:  

This is historical fiction based on known events in the lives of my ancestors -- it might have been this way. William and Sarah (Cutter) Knapp are my 3rd great-grandparents, and I have significant information about this family from the available records, but I know nothing about their day-to-day lives.

As always, I am amazed at what life was like in any place over 200 years ago. This description of their family life in New Jersey in the 1820s is interesting and so different from our current daily activities.

After I read these types of social history summaries, I wish that I could be a time traveler for one day to visit this Knapp family in 1825 New Jersey and witness their daily lives.  I'm glad that the general lifestyles and occupations are known from historical records and witness accounts.

==============================================

Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is: 

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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Friday, June 19, 2026

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 13 to 19 June 2026

 Each week, I try to keep track of the number of Full-Text Search collections (indexed, searchable) and the Images collections (browsable but not searchable) -- see Sections 1) and 2) below. In addition, I list the genealogy historical record collections (often name-indexed) that are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list  --  See Section 3.

1)  As of 19 June 2026, there are now 6,664 searchable and full-text transcribed image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase of 1 from last week. There are over 1.99 BILLION "results" in the collections.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.


 2)  As of 19 June 2026, there are now 24,818 browsable (some indexed, none transcribed) image lections on FamilySearch Images this week, a decrease of 1 from last week. There are over 6.065 BILLION images in these collections.  There are 2,118 collections from the United States, 7,076 from Europe and 221 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.


3)  As of 19 June 2026, there are 3,435 Historical Record Collections (many indexed, browsable) on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week):

The Deleted, Added and Updated Historical Record Collections this week include:

--- Collections Deleted ---

--- Collections Added ---

*  Palau, Death Records, 1958-1984 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000629); 206 indexed records with 370 record images, ADDED 15-Jun-2026

--- Collections Updated ---

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-2017 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1972912); 134,084 indexed records with 978,396 record images (was 2,815,879 records with 978,396 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Argentina, Capital Federal, Catholic Church Records, 1640-1978 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974184); 175,308 indexed records with 998,148 record images (was 175,308 records with 998,148 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Argentina, Córdoba, Catholic Church Records, 1557-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974182); 137,383 indexed records with 419,985 record images (was 1,005,459 records with 419,985 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Argentina, Santa Fe, Catholic Church Records, 1634-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974196); 176,332 indexed records with 424,329 record images (was 759,932 records with 424,329 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Arizona, Santa Cruz, Nogales, Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals, 1905-1952 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3041280); 502,961 indexed records with 496,243 record images (was 502,795 records with 496,137 images), UPDATED 14-Jun-2026

Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1770729); 411,266 indexed records with 390,468 record images (was 412,571 records with 418,870 images), UPDATED 17-Jun-2026
Australia, Deaths and Burials, 1816-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1770857); 89,956 indexed records with 66,515 record images (was 90,137 records with 67,803 images), UPDATED 17-Jun-2026
Australia, Marriages, 1810-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1770858); 129,689 indexed records with 96,365 record images (was 130,519 records with 119,060 images), UPDATED 17-Jun-2026
Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2125029); 414,523 indexed records with 73,580 record images (was 419,986 records with 73,580 images), UPDATED 17-Jun-2026
Brazil, Cemetery Records, 1799-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2137269); 1,527,342 indexed records with 150,972 record images (was 2,161,969 records with 150,972 images), UPDATED 18-Jun-2026
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1726975); 1,027,753 indexed records with 12,659,776 record images (was 27,314,987 records with 12,659,776 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026

Colombia, Migration Records, 1885-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000159); 6,802,274 indexed records with 6,594,865 record images (was 6,802,274 records with 6,576,246 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Colorado, Naturalization Records, 1876-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2285702); 158,496 indexed records with 259,357 record images (was 3,594 records with 259,357 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Costa Rica, Catholic Church Records, 1595-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1460016); 2,627,282 indexed records with 962,203 record images (was 320,205 records with 962,203 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
England Marriages, 1538–1973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473015); 10,303,063 indexed records with 2,429 record images (was 10,303,121 records with 2,429 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473014); 39,141,633 indexed records with 529,095 record images (was 39,146,412 records with 529,095 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026

Italy, Vicenza, Census Records, 1806-1870 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000476); 8,828 indexed records with 259 record images (was 8,828 records with 222 images), UPDATED 17-Jun-2026
Michigan, Naturalization Records, 1837-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2546149); 2,146,151 indexed records with 1,672,379 record images (was 2,142,941 records with 1,672,379 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Minnesota, Naturalization Card Index, 1930-1988 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2120721); 71,366 indexed records with 86,132 record images (was 69,090 records with 86,132 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Nebraska, Naturalization Records, 1855-1989 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3241361); 169,085 indexed records with 158,606 record images (was 167,681 records with 158,606 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
New Mexico, Naturalization Records, 1882-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2187007); 27,104 indexed records with 29,163 record images (was 27,042 records with 29,163 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026

Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1681005); Index only (2,512,643 records), no images (was 2,512,971 records with 0 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1681011); Index only (661,399 records), no images (was 661,437 records with 0 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
Peru, Arequipa, Catholic Church Records, 1660-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4447275); Index only (80,367 records), no images (was 65,525 records with 0 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Peru, Catholic Church Records, 1556-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1877097); Index only (120,461 records), no images (was 3,447,829 records with 0 images), UPDATED 15-Jun-2026
Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1852584); 525,402 indexed records with 20,274,621 record images (was 1,651 records with 20,274,621 images), UPDATED 19-Jun-2026

Puerto Rico, Naturalization Records, 1897-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2774942); 91,998 indexed records with 67,302 record images (was 91,927 records with 67,302 images), UPDATED 16-Jun-2026
United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages, 1980-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2333694); 28,662,174 indexed records with 46,919,022 record images (was 28,662,176 records with 46,919,022 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Uruguay, Catholic Church Records, 1726-2000 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4134697); 1,065,845 indexed records with 308,677 record images (was 1,065,597 records with 293,845 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Venezuela, Archdiocese of Caracas, Catholic Church Records, 1638-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4465438); 383,085 indexed records with 164,371 record images (was 349,539 records with 130,870 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026
Venezuela, Catholic Church Records, 1577-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1951777); 932,555 indexed records with 1,899,876 record images (was 17,400,769 records with 1,899,876 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026

Venezuela, Diocese of San Cristóbal, Catholic Church Records, 1601-1962 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2173966); 671,313 indexed records with 128,484 record images (was 670,233 records with 128,484 images), UPDATED 13-Jun-2026

--- Collections with new images ---

Argentina, Buenos Aires City, Civil Registration, 1811-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000077); 1 indexed records with 10,193 record images (was 1 records with 10,192 images), last updated 26-Nov-2024
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 454,226 record images (was 1 records with 454,223 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Colombia, DAS Civil Registration Alphabetic Cards, 1914-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000074); 1 indexed records with 26,272,983 record images (was 1 records with 26,272,981 images), last updated 25-Nov-2024
Georgia, Wills and Deeds, ca. 1700s-2017 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3158836); 1 indexed records with 5,474 record images (was 1 records with 5,472 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,748,723 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,746,265 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024

United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000145); 1 indexed records with 28,205,712 record images (was 1 records with 28,204,736 images), last updated 22-Jul-2024

--- Collections with images removed ---

United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records, 1761-2005 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4324570); 2,878,200 indexed records with 2,767,444 record images (was 2,878,200 records with 2,801,913 images), last updated 22-Sep-2021
United Kingdom, Funeral Notices, 1914-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000184); 4,987,936 indexed records with 4,972,609 record images (was 4,987,936 records with 4,972,610 images), last updated 28-Oct-2023
United States, Google, United States Inventors Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000136); 1,048,575 indexed records with 1,046,402 record images (was 1,048,575 records with 1,046,568 images), last updated 21-Nov-2023

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2860782); 1,906,589 indexed records with 4,918,255 record images (was 31,807,550 records with 4,918,255 images), last updated 13-May-2025
United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,600,588 records), no images (was 875,600,596 records with 0 images), last updated 23-Dec-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,858,194 records), no images (was 413,858,224 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024

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My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

Marshall notes that there are:

  • 3,435 Historical Record Collection entries
  • 0 removed entries
  • 1  added entries 
  • 32 updated entries
  • 9 entries with more or fewer images 
  • 3 entries with more or fewer records
Marshall's list shows 3,435 Historical Record Collections this week, an increase of 1 collections. The image above shows 3,435 collections, so the website number is in sync with Marshall's list number.

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See previous FamilySearch-related blog posts in        https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FamilySearch

The URL for this post is:

Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

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Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 13 to 19 June 2026

  The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by "Date Updated" during the period from 13 to 19 June 2026: 


The ADDED and Updated collections include:

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The complete Ancestry.com Card Catalog is at https://search.ancestry.com/search/CardCatalog.aspx.

By my count, there are 0 NEW record collections ADDED this past week, per the list above. There are now 33,942 collections available as of 19 June, an INCREASE of 0 from last week. 

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Disclosure: I pay for an All-Access subscription from Ancestry.com. In past years, Ancestry.com provided a complimentary All Access subscription, an autosomal DNA test, material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and hosted events and meals that I attended in Salt Lake City.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/06/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record_01900860110.html

 Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Facebook, X, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all Comments are moderated so they may not appear immediately.

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Ask AI: "Describe the 'Skittles' Game in 1830s England"

 After reading Ask AI: "Describe the Life Of James Richman in 1835 At Age 14 in Hilperton, Wiltshire" yesterday, I was curious about the game of "Skittles" mentioned.  I had no clue what it was, but I knew that the OpenAI ChatGPT5 LLM could tell me.

1)  Here is the ChatGPT5 response:


Describe the "Skittles" Game in 1830s England



Skittles was one of the most popular pub and village games in England during the 1830s. It was the ancestor of modern bowling, though it was usually played on a much smaller scale and often indoors.

What the Game Looked Like


The game used:
  • Nine wooden pins (skittles) arranged in a diamond or square pattern.
  • A wooden ball, usually smaller than a modern bowling ball and often without finger holes.
  • A wooden alley or lane, commonly 20 to 40 feet long.
  • Sometimes a raised wooden platform or enclosed alley attached to a tavern.
The objective was simple: knock down as many pins as possible.

How It Was Played

  • A player stood at one end of the alley and rolled or threw the ball toward the pins.
  • Scoring varied by region, but generally:
  • Each pin knocked down counted as one point.
  • Players took turns.
  • A game might be played to a predetermined score, such as 51 or 100 points.
  • In team matches, players' scores were added together.
Unlike modern ten-pin bowling, there was no universally accepted set of rules. Different counties and villages often had their own traditions.

Variations Common in the 1830s

England had many local forms of skittles:

  • Long Alley Skittles: Popular in northern England. Players rolled a ball down a long wooden lane toward nine pins.
  • Table Skittles:  Played indoors on a table-sized board. A suspended ball swung into the pins rather than being rolled.
  • Aunt Sally: A related pub game in which players threw sticks at a target mounted on a stand. Though not technically skittles, it was often found in the same settings.
  • Devon and West Country Skittles: In southwest England, players often used heavier balls and larger pins. These regional forms survive today.

Where People Played

In the 1830s, skittles was strongly associated with:

  • Village inns and alehouses
  • Agricultural fairs
  • Holiday celebrations
  • Friendly society gatherings
  • Working-class recreation
A skittle alley was a common feature behind many country pubs. Men would often gather after work to play while drinking ale and socializing.

If Your Ancestor Played Skittles

If you have English ancestors from the 1830s, especially laborers, craftsmen, farmers, or tradesmen, skittles was probably one of the most accessible recreational activities available to them. It required little equipment, could be played year-round, and provided an important social outlet in an era before organized sports became widespread.

For a family historian, mentioning skittles in an ancestor's story can help bring everyday life to life. You might write something like:

"After a day's work in the fields, James might have walked to the village inn, where neighbors gathered to play skittles on the wooden alley behind the alehouse while discussing local news and sharing a pint."

That scene would have been very familiar across much of rural and small-town England in the 1830s.

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2)  Well, I didn't stop there.  I asked ChatGPT5:  "Describe American bowling when my father bowled in Massachusetts in the 1930s and then in California in the 1940s."

And ChatGPT5 told me:

If your father bowled in Massachusetts during the 1930s and later in California during the 1940s, he would have participated in a game that looked very much like modern bowling, but with some notable differences in equipment, scoring practices, and social atmosphere.

Bowling Had Become a Major American Sport

By the 1930s, ten-pin bowling was firmly established across the United States. The rules had been standardized by the American Bowling Congress, founded in 1895, and bowlers from Massachusetts to California generally played the same game.

The basic format would be familiar today:

  • Ten pins arranged in a triangular formation.
  • Ten frames per game.
  • Strikes and spares scored much as they are now.
  • Teams competing in leagues and tournaments.

Massachusetts Bowling in the 1930s

One interesting wrinkle is that in parts of New England, especially Massachusetts, candlepin bowling was extremely popular.

Candlepins use:

  • Tall, thin pins.
  • Smaller hand-sized balls.
  • Three balls per frame instead of two.

If your father said simply that he "bowled" in Massachusetts, he may have meant either:

  • Traditional ten-pin bowling, or
  • Candlepin bowling, which remains a distinctive New England game today.

The clue is often found in family stories, newspaper accounts, or photographs. If he used finger holes and large pins, it was ten-pin. If he rolled a small ball held entirely in one hand, it was probably candlepins.

The Bowling Alley Experience

A 1930s bowling alley was often smoky, noisy, and full of activity.

Before automatic pinsetters:

  • Boys called pin boys stood behind the pins.
  • They cleared fallen pins.
  • Returned balls manually.
  • Reset the pins after every frame.

Many pin boys were teenagers earning extra money.

A bowler would hear:

  • The crash of pins.
  • Pin boys shouting to one another.
  • Spectators cheering.
  • Radios broadcasting baseball games.

California Bowling in the 1940s

When your father moved to California in the 1940s, he entered what would soon become the golden age of American bowling.

During and after World War II:

  • Military personnel bowled on bases.
  • Defense workers joined leagues.
  • Bowling became one of America's fastest-growing recreational activities.
  • Large commercial bowling centers began appearing throughout California.

Southern California, in particular, became a center of bowling culture.

Equipment of the Era

Bowling balls were generally:

  • Hard rubber or dense composition material.
  • Black or dark colored.
  • Much less sophisticated than today's reactive-resin balls.

Shoes were simple leather rental shoes.

Wooden lanes were carefully maintained and oiled by hand.

Scores tended to be lower than many modern bowlers achieve because equipment technology was less forgiving.

League Bowling

For many men of your father's generation, bowling was primarily a social activity.

A typical week might involve:

  • Working during the day.
  • Meeting teammates one evening each week.
  • Bowling three games.
  • Sharing coffee, sandwiches, beer, or soft drinks afterward.
  • Comparing averages and discussing sports.

League standings were often published in local newspapers.

The Pinsetter Revolution

The biggest technological change came in the late 1940s.

In 1946, the AMF began developing automatic pinsetters. During the 1950s they rapidly replaced pin boys across the country.

If your father bowled in Massachusetts during the 1930s, he almost certainly bowled with pin boys. In California during the early-to-mid 1940s, he likely still bowled with pin boys. By the 1950s, however, he would have witnessed the transition to automatic machinery.

A Family-History Perspective

For a family story, you might picture your father this way:

"On league night in the 1940s, he changed into his bowling shoes, selected a heavy black ball from the rack, and stepped onto the polished wooden approach. Behind the pins, a pin boy waited for the crash of the ball. Teammates kept score with pencils on paper score sheets while cigarette smoke drifted through the bowling alley and conversations centered on work, baseball, and family. Bowling was more than a sport—it was one of the principal social activities of working Americans in the years before television became dominant."

For someone born in the early 20th century, bowling was often as important socially as golf or pickleball are for many retirees today. It was a place where friendships were maintained, business contacts were made, and community life unfolded week after week.

==============================

3)  From that point, ChatGPT5 and I discussed Duckpins (smaller and fatter pins with smaller balls) and more.  That was a fun discussion!

Note that ChatGPT5 offered me sample text for a bowling story about my father!

4)  My father was a very good ten-pin bowler in San Diego  He played in travel leagues and went to local and State tournaments during the 1950s and 1960s, and carried a 190-200 average in those years.  I don't think he ever bowled a perfect 300 game.  

5)  Me?  Well, I tried. I bowled in leagues from age 10 or so to 25 -- and it's how I met my wife Linda.  My best league average was 178 for several years in the late 1960s.  

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver


Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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