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Discover rich family stories in exclusive Leicestershire records online

Does your lineage lie in Leicestershire? Find out more about your links to the county with access to exclusive Leicestershire archives online at Findmypast. Incredible Leicestershire discoveries begin with your family tree

The long history of Leicestershire in short

Leicestershire was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its external boundaries haven’t changed much since then.

Engineering, bell founding, lead roofing and stained glass have all been crucial to Leicestershire’s economy. As the name suggests, Coalville in North Leicestershire was a coal mining centre. The same town was home to Pallitoy, the toy manufacturer behind Action Man, Tiny Tears, Tressy Star Wars figures and many others. 

Leicestershire continues to have a well-developed commitment to engineering and technology. It also has a long history of livestock farming, and many heritage and commercial breeds are associated with the region. 

The county is also famed for food products like Stilton and Red Leicester cheese, and Melton Mowbray pork pies. 

Did your ancestor use their skills to make stained glass windows for England’s castles and cathedrals? Were they at the foundry in Loughborough when Britain’s largest bell was cast for St Paul’s Cathedral? 

The flag of Leicestershire combines three of its traditional symbols, the running fox, a cinquefoil and a red and white zigzag.

Only at Findmypast

Plug the gaps in your family tree with detail you’ll only find in Leicestershire records at Findmypast. 

Leicestershire census data: Vintage photo of two men on a bicycle

The 1921 Census

Do you know the real story about your Leicestershire relatives? Verify facts and get to know them better through this century-old snapshot of their lives.

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Leicestershire Catholic records: A photo of a Catholic church

The Catholic Heritage Archive

Unlock Catholic connections to Leicestershire with exclusive baptism, marriage and congregational records from the Diocese of Nottingham.

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Leicestershire wills and probate records: An old will record

Wills and probate records

What did your Leicestershire ancestor leave behind? Discover unknown relatives and must-see information in records dating to medieval times.

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Limitless Leicestershire family discoveries

“Findmypast is one of my favourite genealogy sites because they have comprehensive Leicestershire records, which is where my Mum’s family is from originally. Also, the newspapers are very valuable. For example, I have found the father of an illegitimate birth because the mum had gone to court to get support and all details were reported in her local paper.”

Jane Welsh

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Millions of local Leicestershire records at your fingertips

Trace Leicestershire ancestors from their cradles to their graves and every fascinating milestone in between. Our vast record collections paint a richer picture of your past.

Find your family in Leicestershire archives now

Enter a detail or two to instantly reveal your relatives’ records.

Leaf through old Leicestershire newspapers online

Were your Leicestershire relatives make local news headlines? Pinpoint colourful family stories in black and white with the largest online archive of Leicestershire newspapers.

Discover local records from every corner of England

If your ancestors left Leicestershire behind, track their next move in our extensive collection of historical resources. Our records cover every county, city, town and village in England.

Choose a region from the map or drop-down list to dig access local record collections and learn about English history, county by county.

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