The National Archives Latest News
Please note that this page is updated on a regular basis. So, if you arrived here from a search engine, and you cannot find the relevant reference on the page, please return to your search engine page and click on 'cached' to see the page as it appeared when the relevant story was featured. This feed is copyright of The National Archives.
'Meet the CEO' report: your views and our responses
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A report of our ‘Meet the Chief Executive day’ held on 22 October is now available online.
New edition of Archive Sector Update out now
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The latest edition of Archive Sector Update is now available online – the enewsletter for those in the archival and information management
Web Continuity launched at the House of Lords
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The National Archives' Web Continuity project has been officially launched at the House of Lords this week.
New collections accepted in lieu of tax
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The government has accepted three distinct collections in lieu of tax: the Aberdare, Penrhyn and Frank Martin archives.
Closure notice for annual stocktaking
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The National Archives will be closed to the public for its annual stocktaking weekend from Friday 4 December to Monday 7 December inclusive. Our online services will not be affected.
Royal Naval logs of exploration voyages now online
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You can now search and download 164 volumes of logbooks of the Royal Navy’s voyages of scientific discovery (ADM 55), as the collection is made available via DocumentsOnline.
Action plan for Government's Information Matters strategy published
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Now published, 'Information matters: delivery plan for 2009-2010' is an action plan that outlines what needs to be done to fulfill the Government's Information Matters strategy, which was published last year.
New government policy on archives
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Broken links will soon be a thing of the past for UK government websites, as The National Archives launches its unique Web Continuity project.
Cabinet Papers finalist in BETT awards
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The National Archives is a BETT Award finalist for the third year in a row, for its Cabinet Papers 1915-1978 website.
Web Continuity ensures end to broken links
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Broken links will soon be a thing of the past for UK government websites, as The National Archives launches its unique Web Continuity project.
Possible rail disruptions
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The National Archives is taking part in the annual BBC Radio 2 'Money Can't Buy' auction to help raise money for Children in Need.
Changes to opening hours
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From 4 January 2010 The National Archives will be open for five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday). We will also increase our opening hours and document ordering times on these days.
Possible website disruption on 18 and 19 November
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Due to essential maintenance work, you may experience intermittent problems in accessing our websites and online services between 19:00 and 21:30 on Wednesday 18 November 2009 and Thursday 19 November 2009.
The National Archives takes part in charity auction
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The National Archives is taking part in the annual BBC Radio 2 'Money Can't Buy' auction to help raise money for Children in Need.
Improvements to our website
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Today we launch some further improvements to The National Archives' website. We've redesigned and rewritten the pages containing our news, advice for visitors and corporate information
Archives 'Take Flight'
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Archive Awareness has just launched its ‘Take Flight’ campaign to celebrate local links with manmade flights and the movement of people.
First World War RAF service records now online
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The National Archives has made 99,000 RAF officers' service records available online for the first time.
OPSI review on the Public Library Scheme
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Following a consultation on the Public Library Scheme, the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) has invited responses to its proposals.
Knowledge and Information Conference - 13 November 2009, London
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The Knowledge Council's first Knowledge and Information Management Conference 'The Information Opportunity - delivering in challenging times' is taking place on Friday 13 November at the Victoria Plaza in London.
World War One British Army service records available online for the first time
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In partnership with The National Archives, Ancestry.co.uk has now made available online the entire collection of British Army World War One Service Records, 1914-1920, detailing the full military careers of more than two million soldiers who served during World War One.
More overseas birth, marriage and death records available online
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Records from the RG 32 series, previously only viewable on microfilm at The National Archives, Kew, have been added to the online service at BMD Registers.
Tell us what you think of our website
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The National Archives would like to hear your views of the website to help us improve our services. Please take five minutes to complete our survey.
November talks at The National Archives
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From the Gunpowder Plot to 1959, from personal bankruptcies to international treaties: November's fabulous range of free talks from The National Archives takes a refreshingly different view of history.
New government files released
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New files released by The National Archives cover subjects ranging from the French resistance during the Second World War to aristocratic impersonators.
Online service disruption on Monday 26 October
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Due to essential maintenance, some online services will not be available between 07:00 and 08:30 on Monday 26 October.
Film stars' ancestry uncovered in 1911 census
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Actor Jude Law, who stars as Dr Watson in the upcoming Sherlock Holmes film, is descended from a family of Brixton-based master bakers, reveal records released by findmypast.com.
Treasurer needed for the Friends of The National Archives
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Friends of The National Archives is looking for a volunteer treasurer. Friends is an independent charity which supports The National Archives.
November issue of Ancestors magazine out now
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The latest edition of Ancestors magazine is out now, priced £3.99. Buy it online from The National Archives' bookshop.
Stunning collection of Irish maps now available online
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A collection of early Irish maps (c.1558 – c.1610) from the ‘State Papers Ireland’ has, for the first time, been made available online by The National Archives.
Business archives in the news
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The subject of how companies can use their archives to help build business has fallen under the media spotlight since the launch of The National Archives' Corporate Memory guide earlier this year.
18th century ships logs used for climate change research
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A new partnership between JISC, the University of Sunderland, the Met Office Hadley Centre and the British Atmospheric Data Centre has enabled the use of historical naval logbooks in ground-breaking research on climate change.
Website maintenance on Wednesday 7 October
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Due to essential maintenance work, The National Archives website, and all related web services, will be unavailable between 06:00 and 07:00 on Wednesday 7 October.
100 years of secrets and spies
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From Sam Wanamaker and Ezra Pound to P G Wodehouse and Lee Miller; a look back through the files released by the Security Service over the last 12 years gives a curious insight into much more than just the political activity of these famous names.
The Second World War's longest day
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The latest in a series of innovative videocasts to mark the 70th anniversary of the Second World War, has been released. The Longest Day tells the dramatic story of the Normandy landings.
Meet the Chief Executive on 22 October 2009
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The National Archives will be holding a ‘Meet the Chief Executive’ day on Thursday 22 October 2009.
Changes to public services at The National Archives
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Following an extensive consultation over the summer, The National Archives announced today a number of changes to its operations and public services.
DocumentsOnline not available on Saturday 26 September
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Please note that due to essential upgrade work, DocumentsOnline will not be available on Saturday 26 September.
New book: The UFO Files
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The UFO Files, published by The National Archives, is a collection of the most impressive reports from the Ministry of Defence's secret files on real-life UFO sightings.
Hidden files reveal true suffering of early suffragettes
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Files uncovered during a cataloguing project at The National Archives shed new light on the hardships women endured in their fight for the vote 100 years ago.
New education website launched
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We have launched a new education website today at nationalarchives.gov.uk/education.
New plaque commemorates Kew's wartime history
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A plaque has been unveiled in the grounds of The National Archives to commemorate the wartime history of the Kew site.
The National Archives and The Future of Culture, Tourism and Sport
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The National Archives is participating in a national conference exploring how the culture, tourism and sport sectors will meet the challenges of London 2012.
What's happened to Learning Curve?
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Our award-winning Learning Curve site has been redesigned and relaunched to reflect the huge range of educational resources we offer.
Online files captivate UFO enthusiasts
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Aliens and UFOs have captured the public's imagination both home and abroad, as the latest batch of UFO files saw over 450,000 file downloads in the first two days of their release.
Event looks at records of the first Sikh settlers
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The National Archives is running an event looking at records of the first Sikh settlers in Britain. The event on 11 September will discuss the original records of the migrant journeys and military service of Sikh settlers.
The war remembered: iconic war films explored
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War on Film is a new series of six innovative videocasts to mark the 70th anniversary of the Second World War, launched online today by The National Archives.
Launch of 'Archive sector update'
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For the latest news on Archives Sector Development read our new enewsletter, ‘Archive sector update’.
New education website coming soon
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The National Archives is looking forward to the launch of its exciting new education website this autumn. The site replaces our award-winning Learning Curve website and will have the same extensive resources for teaching and learning history, but with a totally new look and a new address.
Famous names in latest Security Service release
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New releases from the Security Service, available now to download, feature fascinating files on Hitler’s deputy, Martin Bormann, actor and director Sam Wanamaker and other high-profile figures from the Second World War and post-war period.
The National Archives is closed on 29 and 31 August
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The National Archives is closed from Saturday 29 August 2009 to Monday 31 August 2009 inclusive for the Summer bank holiday.
Hampshire Archives goes 'football crazy'
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As part of the Archive Awareness Campaign, Hampshire Archives is holding a football exhibition and film workshops to celebrate the game's history in the county.
New internship opportunity available with OPSI
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A three-month internship opportunity for ESRC-funded doctoral students is now available, to work with the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI). Deadline: 30 September.
Who Do You Think You Are? - Martin Freeman
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The Office star Martin Freeman uncovers surprising family secrets in Who Do You Think You Are?
Cricket in the Archives
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As the England cricket team head into the final test of the 2009 Ashes drawn 1-1 with Australia, The National Archives reveals the origin of the fiercely-fought rivalry.
UFO files: attempted abductions and scrambled fighter jets
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Reports of mysterious lights, lemon-headed aliens and scrambled fighter jets can be found among the official UFO files released by the Ministry of Defence and The National Archives.
Overseas marriage records go online
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Overseas marriage records of more than 38,000 people have been added to the online service at BMD Registers. The records cover British subjects marrying abroad and come from various sources worldwide.
DocumentsOnline and Electronic Records Online unavailable this Sunday
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DocumentsOnline and Electronic Records Online will be unavailable from 08:00 on Sunday 16 August 2009. Services will be back to normal by Monday 17 August. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Who Do You Think You Are? - Kim Cattrall
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Kim Cattrall, star of TV’s Sex and the City, discovers a shocking family secret on Who Do You Think You Are?
New online tools point researchers in the right direction
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The National Archives has launched two new innovative online tools – ‘research signposts’ and two minute animated guides – to help researchers use the archives more effectively.
Archive strategy consultation - last chance to have your say
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The consultation on the government's proposals for a new policy on archives, Archives for the 21st century, closes on 12 August – go online to have your say.
Who Do You Think You Are? - David Mitchell
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David Mitchell, star of television’s Peep Show, uncovers his Scottish ancestry on Who Do You Think You Are?
From highwaymen to poachers - trial records go online
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Trial records from the late 18th to the late 19th centuries have been released online. The featured crimes range from petty theft to murder, and famous cases include that of a poisoner suspected of being the real Jack the Ripper, and the true life basis for Oliver Twist’s Fagin.
Sandford Award for our work with schools
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The National Archives' education service has been awarded a Sandford Award for its work with school pupils.
Who Do You Think You Are? - Kate Humble
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Television’s wildlife presenter Kate Humble is reduced to tears as she discovers tragic family secrets on Who Do You Think You Are?
Free access to 1911 census across England and Wales
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Thousands of people are soon to get the opportunity to delve into their family history online for free, at seven institutions across England and Wales
Your Archives online survey
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Have your say on our wiki, Your Archives, in our online survey.
Who Do You Think You Are? - Chris Moyles
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Chris Moyles, outspoken Radio 1 DJ, finds himself at a loss for words as he delves into his family’s past in Who Do You Think You Are?
Escape from Germany: new book out now
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A fascinating new history book - Escape from Germany: True stories of POW escapes from WWII - is out now, published by The National Archives.
Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2008-2009 published
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The sixth annual report and resource accounts on the work of The National Archives is now available, along with the sixth report of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.
Who Do You Think You Are? - Davina McCall
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In the first of the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?, Davina McCall discovered her connections to George IV and to a major player in the Dreyfus Affair.
New guide reveals secret weapon for business success
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The National Archives launches a new publication, Corporate memory – a guide to managing business archives, which demonstrates how businesses can use their archives to succeed in today's competitive markets.
Private papers of Lord Owen released
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A selection of the private papers of the former Foreign Secretary, Lord Owen, have been released at The National Archives. The files cover the then Dr David Owen's time as Foreign Secretary in the late 1970s.
Civil service through the archives
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This week sees Civil Service Live 2009 taking place in London where the exhibition, 'Civil service through the archives', will showcase the fascinating history of the civil service using The National Archives' in-house expertise, documents and images.
Lost page of American history found at The National Archives
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A rare print of America’s Declaration of Independence, one of only 26 known copies in the world, has been found at The National Archives at Kew.
July talks at The National Archives
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From searching for records of transportation to Australia to chronicling the history of the Irish revolution; free talks at The National Archives in July offer a wealth of help and information to people researching their family history.
Changes to public services at The National Archives
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The National Archives has proposed a number of changes to its operations and public services, including closure of the Kew reading rooms to the public on Mondays and a daily charge for car parking on the Kew site.
New government files released
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The National Archives had released new files; subjects range from biological warfare to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. The Cabinet Secretary’s notebook for the period from November 1957 to December 1958 has also been released.
In the Archives: the Speaker of the House of Commons
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On Monday 22 June, John Bercow MP was elected as the 157th Speaker of the House of Commons, succeeding Speaker Michael Martin. The National Archives reveals historical documents that shed light on the evolving role of the Speaker through the centuries.
Opportunity for Placement Fellowship at the Ministry of Justice
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As part of its Placement Fellowship Scheme, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and The National Archives welcome applications from academic economists interested in working in a research capacity in the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI). Deadline: 30 June 2009
Entire 1911 census now online
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The complete 1911 census records for people living in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are now online at 1911census.co.uk, including full details of British Army personnel and their families stationed overseas.
Invitation to public meetings
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You are invited to attend one of our open information meetings where Jeff James, Director of Operations and Services, will take you through proposed changes at The National Archives. The meetings will take place at Kew at 12:15 on Thursday 2 July and 10:00 on Saturday 11 July.
We are closed to the public on Monday 29 June from 14:00
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We will be closed to the public from 14:00 on Monday 29 June 2009. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Have your say in our online survey
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We're seeking your feedback to help with our ongoing website development to improve the online service The National Archives provides.
Apologies for website disruption last night
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We apologise to anyone who experienced problems with The National Archives' website between 22:30 on 11 June and 08:00 on 12 June.The problem has now been corrected and all online services are back to normal.
1911 Census records for Wales now online
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Census records of the 2.4 million people recorded as living in Wales on the night of Sunday 2 April 1911 are now available to search and download on 1911.co.uk.
Secretary needed for the Friends of The National Archives
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The Friends of The National Archives is looking for a new secretary. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for someone looking for a responsible and interesting role, working at Kew and from home.
In the archives: life in wartime Kew
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A project is underway to recapture life in Kew as it was during the Second World War, when American troops and Italian prisoners of war were camped on the site of The National Archives. The Kew Society and the Richmond Local History Society are collecting memories, records or tales of this fascinating period in Kew's history.
Census maps from 1871 now online
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TDigital versions of the original Registration District maps from the 1871 census (Catalogue reference RG 18/1-110) are now available to browse and download at cassinimaps.co.uk.
The contentious chimes of Big Ben
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The National Archives turns the spotlight on Big Ben as the famous London icon is celebrated in its 150th year.
National Collections Strategy published
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The National Archives has published the final version of a strategy to support the collection and preservation of the heritage of England and Wales.
The National Archives at Kew closed to the public 29 June
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The National Archives will be closed to the public at Kew for the afternoon of Monday 29 June, from 2pm, to enable us to hold staff briefings on proposed changes.
June talks at The National Archives
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Free events at The National Archives this month include talks on forgeries in archives and the settlement of America in the 16th century. Other talks offer help and information to family researchers, on topics including tracing Scottish ancestors and using the death duty records.
New study - Web archives: now and in the future
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The National Archives, in collaboration with the UK Web Archiving Consortium, announces a study into how archived websites are collected and made available to users, to be funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC).
Coughs and sneezes spread diseases
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With public health campaigns still an important means of communicating messages to the nation, The National Archives highlights some of the topical public information posters and films, from the Second World War and beyond.
New PhD opportunities available at The National Archives
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The National Archives has been awarded three full-time collaborative PhD studentships by Research Councils UK, all commencing later this year.
Archive strategy consultation launched
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The Government is asking people for their views on its proposal for a new policy on archives, ‘Archives for the 21st century’, published yesterday (6 May). The consultation will run until 12 August.
A snapshot of 1911 Britain
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See a snapshot of life in 1911 through photographs catalogued by volunteers from the Friends of The National Archives. Descriptions of over 2,700 photographs from the records series COPY 1 can now be found in the online Catalogue.
May edition of Ancestors magazine out now
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The May edition of Ancestors, the family history magazine from The National Archives, is now available. This month's issue has an Irish feel, as well as articles on articles on Parliamentary papers, tracing dentists and Nelson's memorials. You can buy Ancestors at newsagents, or take advantage of our subscription offer.
Discover Anzac Day online
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To commemorate Anzac Day on Saturday 25 April, The National Archives highlights some of the military records available online.
Talks at The National Archives in May
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Our free talks during May look at the information related to public health held at The National Archives, the administration of the royal household and Oscar Wilde. Talks that will interest family historians include tracing your Roman Catholic ancestors, the Society of Genealogists' library and First World War army service records.
OPSI to guide Ordnance Survey's new business strategy
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The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), working from within The National Archives, is to review and develop Ordnance Survey’s new business strategy over the coming months, it has been announced.
Glamorgan's glimpse of Henry VIII in 1545
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To mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne, Glamorgan Record Office is exhibiting a rare document online depicting the king in 1545.
New edition of RecordKeeping magazine available online
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The April 2009 edition of RecordKeeping magazine is now available to download. This quarterly magazine is for everyone involved and interested in archives and records. Highlights include BT Archives’ new online catalogue, supporting religious archives and the digital preservation roadshow 2009.
The National Archives awarded Quality Badge for education
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The National Archives has become one of the first organisations in the country to be awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, recognising it as a provider of safely-managed, quality educational experiences for young people.
1911 census
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1911 census records for Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and Gateshead are now available to search and download on 1911census.co.uk. The service now covers the whole of England - Welsh counties will be added soon.
Tudor queen celebrated in new online resource
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As part of the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII accession to the throne, the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre has launched an online resource looking at the king’s marriage to Wiltshire-born Jane Seymour.
Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant
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To mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne, historian Dr David Starkey charts the inner life of the English king in a new TV series showing Mondays on Channel 4.
Results of local authority survey out now
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This year's local authority archive survey results are now available to view online. They show that, despite some improvements, huge disparities remain between archives across the country.
April talks at The National Archives
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Throughout April, specialists share their knowledge and expertise in free talks at The National Archives, providing a wealth of help and ideas to family historians. Highlights include: Titanic lives: the officers and crew of the RMS Titanic, Burial clubs: the unfriendly societies and The Civil War and the Interregnum.
Between the covers: women's magazines and their readers
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'Between the Covers', a new exhibition at The Women's Library, unearths the history of women's magazines and explores how editors have reflected and defined women's lives from 17th century to today. As part of the Archive Awareness Campaign, the exhibition charts the evolution of women's magazines and celebrates the value of archives.
Raising awareness of local government archives
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The Local Government Association and archive ambassadors including The National Archives have launched Our past, your future - a guide to local government archives. The guide highlights how archives can enrich people's lives and support local communities and is aimed at local councillors and senior officers in local authorities.
Rugby history at The National Archives
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The 2009 RBS Six Nations Championship culminated in a titanic clash at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium between title holders Wales and a resurgent Ireland. Delving into its history, The National Archives reveals some examples of the politics behind the game, and the influence of events beyond the touchline.
Documenting a history of women in the army
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In honour of this month's celebration of International Women's Day, The National Archives highlights the records held on women in the army during the two world wars and beyond.
Advance document orders unavailable for 13 - 16 March
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Please note that you will not be able to place any advance document orders for collection on Friday 13, Saturday 14 or Monday 16 March 2009. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Overseas non-parochial birth, marriage and death records go online
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More than 100,000 records of overseas births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials of British subjects, including those onboard ships, have been added to the searchable online service at www.bmdregisters.co.uk. These newly added records were previously only viewable on microfilm as the RG 33 series.
March edition of Ancestors magazine out now
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The March edition of Ancestors, the family history magazine from The National Archives, is available now. Buy Ancestors at good newsagents, priced £3.99, or take advantage of our subscription offer.
Free A level workshop: to save or not to save?
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As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, we are running a free workshop for A level students at The National Archives on Friday 13 March 2009, entitled 'To save or not to save?’. For more information, call the Education department on +44 (0)208 392 5365.
The National Archives e-survey - win £250
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Take part in our survey on your interest in family and social history and you could win £250! Survey closes at 10.00 on 5 March 2009.
The National Archives' iGoogle gadget
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Users of the personalised Google start page, iGoogle, can now search The National Archives' website directly from their page using our new gadget.
Lee Miller and Mai Zetterling: latest release from the Security Service
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A new releases of 60 files from the Security Service includes records on photographer Lee Miller, Swedish actress Mai Zetterling, German intelligence agent Gastao de Freitas-Ferraz and Romanian defector Alexandru Ionescu.
Talks at The National Archives in March
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Throughout March, specialists share their knowledge and expertise in free talks at The National Archives, providing a wealth of help and ideas to family historians
Who Do You Think You Are? Live: Ticket offer extended
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Your last chance to buy two for one tickets to Who Do You Think You Are? Live at London’s Olympia between 27 February and 1 March 2009
Charles Darwin in the archives (1809 - 1882)
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With the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth celebrated this month, The National Archives looks at some of the documents and resources held on the pioneering naturalist.
Oscar Wilde
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To celebrate Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) History Month, we highlight some historical documents about Oscar Wilde, poet and author. Documents include court and prison records, Wilde’s death certificate and the famous calling card left by the Marquis of Queensbury.
Millions find their 1911 ancestors online
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Over 1.5 million people visited the new website 1911census.co.uk in its first four weeks, downloading over a million transcripts and more than 380,000 original census images. Searching the census is now even easier, thanks to some new features.
Last chance to buy two for one tickets!
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Who Do You Think You Are? Live is back at London's Olympia between 27 February and 1 March 2009. Until 20 February you can still buy two tickets for the price of one and save £20!
Valentine's verses rediscovered
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Love poems written by the Cornish poet Reginald John 'Jack' Clemo (1917-1994) have been made available to the public for the first time. Clemo - blind and deaf for most of his adult life - composed the touching Valentine's cards for his wife, Ruth.
Forthcoming changes to document services
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Please be aware that from spring 2009 we will be making changes to our Record copying estimating service, and introducing an online induction module - full details will be provided nearer the time.
Romance in the archives
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With Valentine's Day fast approaching, The National Archives highlights some of its collection associated with romance and affairs of the heart, from First World War love letters to Shakespeare’s will.
Gascon Rolls to go online
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Important unpublished records of the Hundred Years War, the Gascon Rolls, are to be made available online in an innovative new project led by the University of Oxford and assisted by The National Archives.
Archives accepted in lieu of tax
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The government has recently accepted two separate collections in lieu of tax, applications for the allocation of which must be received by 20 March 2009.
A historic first in Norfolk
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As America celebrates its first African American President, recent research has uncovered the making of history here in the UK with the election of the first black Mayor in Britain.
30 year rule review report now available
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The 30 year rule review, commissioned by the Prime Minister in October 2007, has now published its report.
Book of the Week
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A compelling new history – Prison: Five hundred years of life behind bars by Edward Marston – is out now, published by The National Archives.
Records on Second World War merchant shipping now online
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The movements of merchant ships during the Second world War can now be discovered at DocumentsOnline. The merchant shipping movement cards record the journeys of both British registered and Allied vessels engaged in the war effort from 1939.
Talks at The National Archives in February
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Free talks at The National Archives during February offer help and ideas to family historians, from DNA testing to tracing elusive ancestors. Other talks cover medieval and early modern sources for local history, company records and the diary of homosexual law reformer George Ives.
Britain on America: documenting the elections
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With Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, The National Archives looks at some of the fascinating records we hold that reflect a long history of British interest in political affairs in the US.
1911 census launched online
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Over 27 million people's records from the 1911 census are now available online at 1911census.co.uk, after an ambitious project undertaken by findmypast.com, owned by brightsolid, in association with The National Archives.
Royal Marines records available online
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The service registers of some 110,000 seamen who joined the Royal Marines between 1842 and 1936 are now available to search and download online.
RecordKeeping magazine
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The latest edition of The National Archives’ quarterly RecordKeeping magazine is now available to read online.
January talks at The National Archives
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In January, The National Archives hosts a number of free events and talks where specialists will share their knowledge on a wide range of subjects, from Irish land records to a practical guide on starting your search for your ancestors.
Crime and Punishment at The National Archives
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Details from the judges' reports on nearly 4,000 criminals between 1784 and 1829 are now available in the Catalogue in HO 47. They can be searched by name, place and date, as well as crime, court and punishment.
'Meet the CEO' report - your views and our responses
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On 18 November The National Archives held a 'meet the Chief Executive' day. A report of the day, showing the issues raised and our responses, is now available.
The National Archives will be closed for Christmas from Wednesday 24 December to Saturday 27 December
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The National Archives will be closed for Christmas from Wednesday 24 December to Saturday 27 December. We will reopen at 09:00 on Monday 29 December. We will be closed for New Year's Day, Thursday 1 January 2009. Online services will not be affected.
Celebrating Women’s Suffrage
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The 90th anniversary of the election of the first woman to Parliament - Sinn Fein MP Constance Markievicz - and the first general election in which women could vote, is marked on 14 December 2008. After the remarkable and exhaustive action of the Suffragette movement, the Equal Franchise Act was passed ten years later giving all women the vote on the same terms as men.
CEO named IWR Information Professional of the Year 2008
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Natalie Ceeney, Chief Executive of The National Archives, has been announced as the winner of this year’s Information World Review (IWR) Professional of the Year award. The prestigious award was presented at the recent Online Information Conference 2008, at which Natalie was speaking on the need to redefine the information and knowledge management profession.
More non-conformist birth, marriage and death records go online
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More than 600,000 records of births, baptisms, marriages and burials have been added to the searchable online service at http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/. These records were previously only viewable on microfilm as the RG 8 series.
Cabinet Papers, 1915-1977
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The National Archives offers unprecedented access to more than 60 years worth of Cabinet papers with the launch of a ground-breaking website. More than half a million pages of key government papers, taking readers from the First World War to the welfare state, are available to search and download for free at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers.
Home page redesign
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The National Archives is launching a newly designed home page for the website on Monday 8 December. The new page will have many of the same links and features, but the layout will be clearer, with more exciting images.
The National Archives will be closed Friday 5 to Monday 8 December
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The National Archives will be closed to the public on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Monday 8 December 2008 for annual stocktaking.
Opening up life on the Great Western Railway
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The details of clerks who worked for the Great Western Railway between the mid-1850s and the 1870s are now available online, offering intriguing glimpses into their lives.
December talks at The National Archives
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In December, The National Archives hosts a number of free events and talks where specialists will share their knowledge on a wide range of subjects, from child emigration to Canada to using the Manorial Documents Register, and offer useful advice on research.
First World War brought to life for students
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With the recent commemoration of Armistice Day 90 years on, secondary school students throughout the UK have been given an insight into life in the trenches via The National Archives´ videoconference workshops.
New government strategy launched for managing knowledge and information
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Information Matters is a new strategy published by the Civil Service to help government seize the opportunities and meet the challenges of managing knowledge and information in a digital era.
MUSE exhibition at The National Archives
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A new multiscreen video installation - MUSE - by artist Anne Bean, can now be viewed at The National Archives’ museum at Kew.
Victory, peace and port - the untold story of the Armistice
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The Voices of the Armistice podcast series continues with a fascinating, unofficial account of the negotiations that ended the Great War.
Natalie Ceeney, Chief Executive of The National Archives
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The National Archives is holding a 'meet the Chief Executive' day on Tuesday 18 November. This is your chance to put your views or questions about the management and future direction of The National Archives directly to Natalie Ceeney.
Volunteers bring to life the world of the Victorian poor
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A new project led by The National Archives, ‘Living the Poor Life’, will involve more than 200 volunteers in cataloguing the records of 22 Poor Law Unions. The volunteers will catalogue more than 100,000 pages of documents, dating from the mid-1830s to around 1850.
Voices of the Armistice: Sir Douglas Haig's war diary
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Voices of the Armistice, The National Archives´ season of podcasts to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, continues with extracts from Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig´s War Diary.
The loss of the MV Derbyshire - digital records released
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The National Archives releases unique audio-visual records from the 1997 investigation into the tragic sinking of the Motor Vessel Derbyshire, following its most significant digital preservation project to date.
National Archives website short-listed for Children's BAFTA
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A groundbreaking education website from The National Archives, Focus on Film, has been short-listed for a Children’s BAFTA in the annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards.
November talks at The National Archives
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In November, The National Archives hosts a number of free events and talks where specialists will share their knowledge on a wide range of subjects, from the administration of parish records to merchant seamen of the First and Second World Wars, and offer useful advice on research.
UK incoming passenger lists go online
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Ancestry.co.uk, in partnership with The National Archives, have today launched the most comprehensive online UK immigration collection in existence - The UK incoming passenger lists, 1878-1960.
Research opportunities for ESRC-funded postgraduates
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The National Archives and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have teamed up to offer four separate three-month internships at Kew during 2009 for second or third year ESRC-funded postgraduates.
Voices of the Armistice podcast series
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To mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, The National Archives has launched a season of podcasts of personal stories from those who served in the First World War.
Chelsea Pensioners’ records and Military Attestation Papers to go online
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The National Archives is working with findmypast.com to scan and place online two important series of records: WO 97 (Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents 1760-1913) and WO 96 (War Office: Militia Attestation Papers 1806-1915). Readers should note that it may not be possible to access records while they are being scanned.
October talks at The National Archives
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In October The National Archives hosts a number of fascinating free events and talks where specialists will share their knowledge on a wide range of subjects and offer useful advice on research.
National Collections Strategy: have your say
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The new National Collections Strategy will support the collection and preservation of records of major events, individuals and communities, and public, private or charitable organisations. We want to hear your views on the strategy.
The National Archives launches innovative new website on World War Two
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Learning Curve, The National Archives' award-winning education website, has launched 'World War II', an innovative, interactive site for history students and anyone with an interest in the Second World War.
September talks at The National Archives
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Our talks in September offer practical advice, juicy stories from the archives and new research ideas.
More army and naval records available online
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For the first time you can now search and download the medal index cards of more than 20,000 soldiers who served in the Indian Army during World War One.
The Office of Public Sector Information publishes UK annual report on public sector information
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Minister of State for Justice Michael Wills today announced the publication of the United Kingdom Report on the Re-Use of Public Sector Information 2008.
Have your say: MOD's transfer of historic armed forces personnel records to The National Archives
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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched a public consultation on the early transfer of some historic armed forces service personnel records to The National Archives.
The National Archives publishes a new online strategy
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Provide and Enable: The National Archives' Online Strategy sets out how we will respond to changes affecting the organisation's online services over the next three years. Changes will be driven by our Vision, as well as wider social and technical developments.
Transformation at The National Archives complete
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The National Archives officially launches its new reading rooms following a £4 million transformation to accommodate its family records service, setting a new standard for archives in a digital age.
UK spearheads Europe's emerging knowledge economy
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The European Commission has praised the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) at a pan-European ePSIplus conference in Brussels. The focus of the conference was on the European Commission's formal review of the implementation of a European Directive on the re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI).
The National Archives consults on revised code of practice
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The National Archives has been leading a review and revision of the records management code of practice, issued in November 2002 under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
New identification requirements for visiting the reading rooms
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If you wish to look at original documents when visiting The National Archives, you will need a Reader's Ticket. If this is your first visit (or if you need to renew your Reader's Ticket), please make sure you bring two forms of identification with you - one proof of identity with a signature (such as a passport or bank card) and the other a proof of address (such as a driving licence or recent utility bill).
New programme of talks and lectures
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The National Archives is proud to present a new programme of talks and lectures in association with Ancestors Magazine. The events are free of charge and will take place in the new talks room on the first floor at Kew. Each event starts at 14:00 and lasts for approximately one hour. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis on the day and cannot be booked in advance.
Forged documents - investigation findings released
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We have released the findings of our investigation into forged documents. The forged documents were discovered in July 2005, in files held at The National Archives. The papers from our investigation, as well as the forged documents, are now available on our website.
Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2008
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The biggest event in the family history calendar is back at London's Olympia between 2 and 4 May 2008. The event will be brimming with the country's leading family historians offering one-to-one advice sessions and range of fascinating workshops. Visit our main website for further details.
Changes to car parking at The National Archives
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The National Archives is installing barriers in the public car park. We are beginning the installation on Monday 17 March, and the barriers should be fully functional by mid-April. The car park will remain in use while we are installing the barriers, and we will keep you informed of any short-term or localised disruption.
Closure of The National Archives' services at the Family Records Centre
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The staff and services provided by The National Archives at the Family Records Centre (FRC) move to Kew when the doors close on 15 March 2008. The transfer of these services and expertise into one building will make research easier.
30-year rule review - consultation period extended
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Last year the Prime Minister commissioned an independent review of the '30-year rule', under which most government records are transferred to The National Archives and made available to the public by the time they are 30 years old. The review team has extended the consultation period for members of the public.
New opening hours at Kew from 31 March 2008
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The opening hours of the reading rooms at Kew will be changing from 31 March 2008. The opening hours will change on Tuesdays to 09:00 - 19:00 and on Wednesdays to 10:00 - 17:00. Document ordering times will be 09:30 - 16:45 and 10:00 - 16:15 respectively. The opening hours and document ordering times for all other days will stay the same. For more information on opening hours.
Have your say at our user forum on 25 March 2008
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The National Archives user forum is open to all users of our online, remote and on site services, and is held monthly in Kew. The forum is free, and there is no need to book - just turn up!
First Local Authority archive survey reveals wide variations
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The first comprehensive survey of local authority archive services reveals a 'postcode lottery' of service quality across England and Wales. The variations in service mean that some irreplaceable historical records run the risk of not surviving for future generations.
Online National Register of Archives expands
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What do a Stockport hat manufacturer, an East London borough council and the famous poet, Alexander Pope, have in common? Answer: you can find out about all of them by searching in the National Register of Archives.
Reduced seating capacity continues to cause disruption at Kew
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Changes to services including critical building work, as part of the Kew improvement programme will continue until late spring 2008. Unfortunately, there will be significantly reduced seating capacity as well as noise and disruption whilst this continues. You may wish to avoid coming to Kew on Tuesdays or Thursdays, as these are our busiest days. Or, even to delay planning your visit until the work has been completed.
New image format a great step forward for digital preservation
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The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) has examined JPEG 2000 in a report published today. The report concludes that JPEG 2000 represents a great stride forward for the archival community.
Have your say at our user forum on 21 February 2008
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The National Archives user forum is open to all users of our online, remote and on site services, and is held monthly in Kew. The forum is free, and there is no need to book - just turn up!
Operational Selection Policies for public consultation
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The National Archives has issued two draft Operational Selection Policies (OSPs) for public consultation. One is for government case files relating to competition (OSP 43) and the other for OFWAT, the Water Services Regulation Authority, (OSP 47).
Surplus used microfilms and microfiche offered for disposal
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Due to the relocation of our Family Records Centre services to Kew, The National Archives is offering batches of redundant microfilms and microfiche, free, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Births, marriages and deaths indexes free online at The National Archives
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In response to growing demand, The National Archives has agreed free onsite internet access to the birth, deaths and marriages indexes, through findmypast.com, the UK family history website.
30-year rule review - independent consultation launched
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The Prime Minister announced on 25 October that the Government has commissioned a review of the date by which departments must transfer records to The National Archives and the date at which records become "historical".
The National Archives will be closed from 21 to 27 January 2008
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We regret that The National Archives at Kew will be closed to the public from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 January 2008 inclusive. We will reopen at 09:00 on Monday 28 January 2008. This is to enable us to carry out building works as part of the improvement programme we are implementing at Kew.
New book explores Cabinet debates over nuclear weapons
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Peter Hennessy's new book, Cabinets and the Bomb, reveals top-level private debates about Britain's use of nuclear weapons. Launched at The National Archives last night, the book contains declassified Cabinet papers that reveal the private debates between prime ministers, civil servants, scientists and intelligence officers as they made decisions about Britain´s nuclear weapons.
The National Archives wins award for digital preservation
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The National Archives is celebrating its victory at the Conservation Awards 2007, winning the award for digital preservation. The award recognises leadership and practical advancement in the new and challenging field of digital preservation
Nonconformist birth, marriage and death records online
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The National Archives' collection of nonconformist birth, marriage and death records from 1567 goes online today for the first time
Archives accepted in lieu of tax
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Archives accepted in lieu of tax: family and estate papers of the Harcourt family, Viscounts Harcourt, and papers of Sir Richard Francis Burton, explorer
Archives join forces to celebrate human rights
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The Archive Awareness Campaign launches today, with archives across the UK planning special events to commemorate the history of human rights.
Personalise your searches on The National Archives website
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Register with us today to customise your search results, save your searches, add bookmarks to your favourite web pages and receive recommendations from our bookshop based on your search history.
Mobile website for The National Archives
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You can now keep in touch with The National Archives on your mobile phone or PDA.
Ex-library books clearance
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On Tuesday 21 August 2007 The National Archives is holding a free one-day clearance of library books and finding aids.
First World War soldiers' pension records online
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The pension records of almost one million soldiers who fought in the First World War are now available to search and download from Ancestry.co.uk
Human Rights through the eyes of history: a new online exhibition
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Although the concept of human rights as we understand it today was unknown until modern times, people in Britain have fought since the medieval period to gain the rights, freedoms and liberties we all enjoy today. To illustrate this essential part of history, The National Archives has launched a new online exhibition tracing the evolution of our human, social and civil rights from Magna Carta to the establishment of the Welfare State.
The National Archives and Microsoft join forces to preserve the UK's digital heritage
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Microsoft and The National Archives today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) ensuring preservation of the nation´s digital records from the past, present and into the future. Microsoft will make available to The National Archives a system, which combines previous versions of Windows and Office, to help solve problems of managing historical records based on legacy Microsoft Office formats
Surplus used microfilms offered for disposal
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Following the introduction of online access in the reading rooms at Kew, The National Archives is offering the following batch of redundant microfilms, free, on a first-come, first-served basis
The National Archives wins Jodi award for excellence in website accessibility
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An innovative project from The National Archives has won a prestigious Jodi Award for excellence in accessible museum, library and archive technology.
Government commits to finding a solution to preserving its digital information
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Vital government information is becoming increasingly fragile and could be lost forever unless something is done to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change.
Southwell Workhouse and Poor Law Union papers now available online
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The National Archives and The National Trust are launching a new online resource for general, family, and local historians, which brings to life the conditions of a Victorian workhouse. For the first time you can view these previously long forgotten records online and piece together history from a time when Britain was the workshop of the world!
'Your Archives' now open for contributions
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Your Archives is a ground-breaking new resource, which has recently been launched as part of The National Archives' online services. It is a virtual community of record users where people can share their knowledge of archival sources held by The National Archives and by other archives throughout the UK.
400th anniversary of Jamestown settlement
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Sunday, 13 May 2007 is the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.
The National Archives announces its partner in digitising the 1911 Census
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The National Archives is delighted to announce that ScotlandOnline will partner the UK government´s official archive in the forthcoming project to put the 1911 census for England and Wales online.
Tickets sell out for the Religious Archives Group conference supported by The National Archives
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In association with The National Archives, the Religious Archives Group is looking at The State of Religious Archives in the UK Today at its 2007 conference on 26 March. Morning papers, given at the event by experts in their fields, will provide overviews of Anglican, Catholic and Nonconformist archives.
New portal offers insight into slavery 200 years ago
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The exhibition draws together a range of historical documents and information describing Britain's involvement in slavery and the slave trade, and finally its eventual abolition. The Act was passed on 25 March 1807, 26 years before the Emancipation Act (1833) which led to the gradual abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire.
Prisoner 4099: From the Victorian age to the Internet age
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The National Archives has collaborated with a group of visually impaired children to create an innovative web-based resource looking at crime and punishment in the Victorian era. It focuses on the case of William Towers, a boy from Richmond in Surrey. In 1872, at the age of only 12, William was imprisoned and sentenced to one month´s hard labour. His heinous crime was stealing two pet rabbits.
New online exhibition opens up 300 years of Caribbean history
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Caribbean Histories Revealed, a new online exhibition from The National Archives, launches on Tuesday 6 March. The exhibition traces the history of the British Caribbean through Colonial Office records from the 17th century to 1926. From maps and photographs, to letters and petitions, it brings to life over 300 years of life in the Caribbean.
Non-parochial, foreign and maritime Births, Marriages and Deaths digitisation project
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Under the Licensed Internet Associateship scheme The National Archives has signed a license with Genealogy Supplies Limited to scan the existing microform and place online the following series records:
British army World War One service and pension records go online
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Ancestry.co.uk launches British Army World War One service and pension records – second most viewed collections at The National Archives
The National Archives project wins £800,000 grant to digitise UK Cabinet papers 1917 - 1975
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The National Archives has won a major grant from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), the UK funding council devoted to supporting pioneering information technology programmes in education.
Contribute to the Government's consultation on disability
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The Government is committed to achieving equality for all disabled people by 2025. As part of this commitment, The National Archives is giving readers the opportunity to contribute to the Office for Disability Issues.
The National Archives wins grant to digitise Cabinet papers
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The National Archives has won a major grant from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), the UK funding council devoted to supporting pioneering information technology programmes in education.
The National Archives supports Religious Archives Conference
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The National Archives and the Religious Archives Group affiliated to the Society of Archivists are joining forces to stage a conference to consider 'The state of religious archives in the UK today' at the British Library on 26 March.
Update on closures in January and February
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We regret that, due to national industrial action, The National Archives at Kew will be closed to the public on Wednesday 31 January.
The National Archives wins e-Government National Award
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The National Archives digitisation programme was a winner at the e-Government National Awards 2006 in the category for Central government Central e-Government excellence in Take-up and usage growth: For delivering high and growing take-up of an e-enabled service through effective service delivery and marketing.
Union between Britain and France
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A file (DO 35/5264) held at The National Archives, and featured in BBC Radio 4's Document programme on 15 January, reveals that during the Suez Crisis in 1956 the French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed a union between Britain and France.
Emigration: passenger lists go online
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Migration records [Passenger Lists] are invaluable in helping you find your ancestors. Board of Trade Passenger Lists, Outwards (BT 27), 1890-1960, contain the names of people leaving ports in the United Kingdom and Ireland for final destinations outside Europe and the Mediterranean.
1911 census - decision notice
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The 1911 census must remain closed as a whole document until 2012, to protect personally sensitive information. However the Information Commissioner’s decision means that The National Archives must supply some information from the 1911 census in response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
Manuscripts accepted in lieu of tax
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The Government has accepted the following manuscripts in lieu of tax and they now await allocation to suitable repositories.
Report on 'Meet the Chief Executive Officer day' at Kew
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Report on 'Meet the Chief Executive Officer day' at Kew, 16 November 2006
New look for The National Archives website homepage
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The redesign comes after an extensive consultation period with a representative selection of online users. Some web visitors were concerned that the old homepage did not adequately introduce the scope and nature of the content available on The National Archives website as a whole.
'TNA Global Search' wins Best User Experience Award
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The award recognises any project or service that has shown outstanding innovation in improving the user experience. The Information Industry Awards are hosted by Online Information 2006 and Information World Review to recognise the achievements of information teams, information and content management projects, vendors and individual information professionals.
Colin Jackson launches Caribbean Family History Day 2006
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Colin Jackson has been helping black children to overcome the hurdles of finding out about your family history. At the Caribbean Family History Day at The National Archives in Kew on Saturday 25 November, he took part in a discussion about his experiences on the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? and the need for people to embrace and understand their heritage.
The National Archives reaches finals in e-Government National Awards 2006
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The National Archives has been short-listed for the e-Government National Awards 2006. The Awards highlight the UK's best services which improve citizen and business transaction with councils, central government departments and other public sector organisations.
Immigrants' registration cards go online
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The registration cards, held by The National Archives in Kew, of more than 1,000 foreign nationals who came to the London area between 1914 and 1991 have now gone online.
The National Archives and The Office of Public Sector Information have merged
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The new organisation, under the banner of The National Archives, is raising the stakes in information management across government. Strong information management is essential for the effective working of government, providing excellent services, joined-up policy making, and strengthening public confidence and trust. The National Archives, through its merger with OPSI, has expertise across the information management spectrum and is well placed to lead this agenda. In supporting better information management, The National Archives will continue its work in preserving history for future generations.
Baroness Ashton visits The National Archives
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The Rt Hon The Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, enjoyed a very informative day on 13 September at The National Archives in Kew with representatives from family history and local history societies.
Online release of 1911 census - updated
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The National Archives is committed to making census data available online. We know from our own experience the huge excitement generated by the release of any new census and recognise the great historical and research value of census information. So we are already making plans to make the 1911 census available online in just under six years' time, on the first working day of 2012.
Archivists from around the world come to visit The National Archives
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Following on from Natalie Ceeney's successful meeting in Washington in June, The National Archives will be hosting a meeting on 16 and 17 October 2006 attended by a number of Senior Archivists from France, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, USA and Scotland.
Manuscripts Accepted in Lieu of Tax
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The Government has accepted the following manuscripts in lieu of tax and they now await allocation to suitable repositories
Germinating History: 200 year old seeds spring to life
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Against all expectations, seed scientists from the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew´s garden in West Sussex, have germinated 200–year–old seeds discovered in The National Archives – now growing into vigorous young plants.
Meet the Chief Executive on 16 November 2006
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For the first time ever, The National Archives will be holding a 'Meet the Chief Executive' day. On Thursday 16 November, Natalie Ceeney will be holding surgeries in each of the main reading rooms at Kew.
The National Archives: the next five years. Report of the first open meetings, and dates of the next meetings
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James Strachan, Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives (TNA), presented A New Vision for The National Archives 2006 – 2011. This included our plans to merge with Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) in 2006 and to transfer TNA´s services from the Family Records Centre in Myddelton Street, EC1, to its site at Kew in west London, by 2008.
The National Archives' plans to merge with Office of Public Sector Information in 2006, and relocate services from the Family Records Centre to Kew by the end of 2008
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James Strachan, Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives (TNA), presented A New Vision for The National Archives, 2006 – 2011, at public meetings at the Family Records Centre (FRC) on 29 June and at Kew on 30 June.
1085 to 2006: A Domesday Book for a digital age
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As of today, Domesday Book, the oldest public record held at The National Archives, is brought into the 21st century through Domesday Online, the organisation´s latest digitisation project.
Surplus used microfilms offered for disposal
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Following the introduction of online access in the reading rooms at Kew, The National Archives is offering batches of redundant microfilms, free, on a first-come,first-served basis.
Update on document authenticity
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The police investigation into the six files found to contain forged documents is still ongoing. At this stage The National Archives is unable to make any announcements on the progress of the police investigation.
Sahib, the British Soldier in India 1750-1914
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Our podcast lecture, given by the well known military historian Professor Richard Holmes, examines Indian soldiering in peace and war. He addresses the experience of ordinary soldiers, why they joined up, how they got to India and what they made of it when they arrived.
