WIREDGOV

FindMyPast.co.uk, in association with The National Archives, has launched the 1939 Register online yesterday, providing an unprecedented insight into England and Wales on the verge of war.

Dubbed ‘The Wartime Domesday Book’, The 1939 Register is the most comprehensive survey of the population of England and Wales ever taken. In September 1939, the Second World War had just broken out. 65,000 enumerators were employed to visit every house in England and Wales to take stock of the civil population. The information that they recorded was used to issue Identity Cards, plan mass evacuations, establish rationing and coordinate other war-time provisions. In the longer term, the 1939 Register would go on to play a central role in the establishment of post-war services like the NHS.

The 1939 Register is particularly significant as the only surviving record of the population between 1921 and 1951. It bridges a 30-year gap in history as the 1931 census was destroyed during the war and the 1941 census was never taken. Each record includes the names of inhabitants at each address, their date of birth, marital status and occupation.

You can find out more about the 1939 Register on our blog or reserve a place on our free, interactive webinar. Our research guide can also help you start your search.

Myko Clelland from Findmypast will be at The National Archives on Wednesday 4 November 2015 to introduce the 1939 Register. Book a place to learn the history behind the records, the details included within them, the scope of the project to digitise them, and all the search tips and tricks you need to be a 1939 expert.

On Tuesday 8 December 2015 Audrey Collins will talk you through how to use the 1939 Register. You canbook a place now.

If you are planning to visit The National Archives, please take a look at our Visit Us pages and note that we are closed on Mondays.