Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of former President John F Kennedy, has died at 77, after a long battle with a brain tumour.

He became a Democratic Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times.

Senator Kennedy was a dominant force in US politics for almost 50 years.

President Barack Obama, of whom he was an active supporter, said he was "heartbroken" to hear of his death.

"An important chapter in our history has come to an end," he said. "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."

Senator Kennedy had championed issues such as education and healthcare, central to Mr Obama's first term.

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26 August 2009

Find My Past - 1901 census completed - 24 counties added

A brand new transcription of the 1901 census, complete with newly scanned high-quality images, is available on Find My Past. They have just added the final 24 counties and other UK territories – which comprise over 5.6 million new records – so you can now search the census in full.

Search the complete 1901 census for England and Wales now

The new additions are:

England

Cumberland
Devonshire
Durham
Northumberland
Westmorland
Worcestershire

Wales

Anglesey
Brecknockshire
Carnarvonshire
Cardiganshire
Carmarthenshire
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Glamorganshire
Merionethshire
Montgomeryshire
Monmouthshire
Pembrokeshire
Radnorshire

Other

Guernsey and Adjacent Islands
Isle of Man
Jersey
Royal Navy at Sea and in ports abroad  
    
New images, new transcriptions

Although the 1901 census has been available for some time, they are confident the new transcription are the most accurate online and will reveal many individuals whose names have been wrongly transcribed by other websites. And to make sure that they meet their commitment to providing you with the best quality images, all of the documents have been re-scanned.

If you’re unable to find your family on other versions of the 1901 census, then it’s well worth trying on findmypast.com. Remember, it’s free to search the census – you’ll only pay to view images or transcripts.

Search the new transcription of the 1901 census with high-quality images

Every census available soon

The completion of the 1901 census brings us a crucial step closer to a full set of 1841-1901 England and Wales censuses. The 1851 census – the only remaining incomplete census – will be available in full within the next few months, and a full set of high-quality 1881 census images will be added to the transcriptions already available. Find My Past will tell you about these and other exciting developments, as they happen, via their newsletter and the Find My Past.com blog.

August 2009