More Devon records at Findmypast

If your family history interest is in Devon it may take quite some while to explore the potential of these Devon records. If you do find a person of interest it could throw a whole new light on the family.

The Plymouth & West Devon apprentice records list the details of 5,312 apprentices  and their masters between 1570 and 1910. Each record includes a transcript and image of the original document.

Seven new Devon Directories with over 5,000 records are added to FMP's British trade directories collection. They are:

Newton Abbot & District, Kelly's Directory, 1937
Kelly's Directory, 1935-1936
Kelly's Directory, 1930
Plymouth, Devonport & District, Eyre's Directory, 1897
Torquay & District, J W Hill's Directory, 1869-1870
Kelly's Directory, 1866
Exeter, Besley's Directory, 1835

The next two collections get into detail which can be amazing. You have to check the image in each case to get that detail as the so called transcript is just more like an index.

The Plymouth & West Devon parish chest records, 1556 - 1950 consists of 434,657 results, an eclectic mix of documents, The records cover an array of local matters such as the levying of taxes, selection of juries and pew rentals within the church, bastardy bonds, workhouse admissions and discharge. Transcripts include an individual's name, the event that was being recorded and the date of that event.

The Plymouth borough records, a collection of 109,317 administrative records, name index and image of the original record, from the borough of Plymouth are described by FMP as "an array of assorted documents including orphan's aid cash books, court examinations and freemen's papers, to name a few. The collection is a fantastic way to explore the daily operations of Plymouth from the sixteenth to the twentieth century and contain people from all walks of life, from pauper children to Plymouth's mayors to merchants and farmers.

By way of example, there's a record under the name of Elizabeth Down. It turns out to be a deposition she made regarding deliberate damage to her furniture after she moved into a rented room.