Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

A wedding party photographed in the village of Shafton, Barnsley, England

People curious to know whether their ancestors committed a crime can now access historic court records online.

Barnsley’s borough archives have been made available on family history website Ancestry.

It is the first time the material has been accessible digitally and means researchers no longer have to visit the archives in person.

It is hoped the records will provide “a rich source of information” and “a fascinating glimpse” into the lives and struggles of ordinary people.

The Barnsley Archives and Local Studies service supplied 100,000 entries from baptism, marriage and burial registers to Ancestry, as well as transcriptions of more than a million cases heard in Barnsley Magistrates’ Court between 1841 and 1923.

The two databases were collated and can now be viewed by Ancestry users worldwide.

The parish registers include more than 100 different churches and chapels that existed across the Barnsley area.

The colourful court records detail the petty criminals charged over matters such as theft, poaching and drunkenness.

The archives were previously only available to browse at Barnsley Town Hall.

‘Valuable’

Councillor Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “It’s a great opportunity for people interested in the history and heritage of our borough to discover more about their ancestors and the lives they lived. 

“Whether you are looking for information on your family’s and friends’ religious background or if you have a criminal relative, you now have access to thousands of records from anywhere in the world.

“This is a valuable resource that we are sure people will love exploring.”

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