The big news late last week that has the genealogy social media world a’buzz was the announcement from findmypast, who announced that they will be digitising the “1939 Register”, which gives details of 40 million English and Welsh during war time, and is the most anticipated family history project since the 1911 census.
As there was no 1941 census held due to World War Two, and the 1931 one was destroyed during the war, these records give the only complete overview of the population between 1922 and 1950, are are seen as a “census substitute”.
British-owned online family history world leader DC Thomson Family History (who own findmypast) and The National Archives have today announced a joint project to make records of 40 million civilians held in the 1939 register available online. On completion of this two year projec, it is estimated that the collection will comprise almost 1.2 million scanned full-colour images of documents covering the entire civilian population of England and Wales at the outbreak of World War Two.
The 1939 register was taken on 29 September 1939 by the British Government and recorded personal details of individuals in order to issue identity cards and ration books. It later formed the basis of the National Health Service’s records. When complete, the 1939 register will be fully searchable online for the first time, opening up the past to a new generation of family and social historians, just as the 1911 census did on its release in 2009.
The records contain the address, full name, date of birth, sex, marital status and occupation of individuals, as well as changes of name. Although the Register is literally within living memory for many people, information about living individuals will be kept closed for 100 years from their year of birth, or until proof of death has been authenticated.
And from today, anybody who is interested in being kept informed about the project can register at www.1939register.co.uk.
Annelies Van Den Belt, CEO of DC Thomson Family History said: “This announcement is great news not just for British family historians and those with British relatives, but for anyone with an interest in history itself; providing a fascinating snapshot of the country as it stood on the edge of the most widespread conflict in human history.
“This significant project will bring these records to a global audience for the first time, and combined with the 1.8 billion records already available on our websites will make it easier than ever to begin your family history journey and uncover the powerful stories that lie within and that make us who we are.”
Mary Gledhill, Commercial Director, at The National Archives, added: “The National Archives is delighted to be working with DC Thomson Family History to open up this unique record collection to the world, allowing history enthusiasts to discover more about the people at the outbreak of the Second World War. In the absence of a 1931 and 1941 census, this collection is all the more valuable to family historians trying to trace their ancestors.”
hi I’ve tried to install my discs, {digger } but I am being asked for a password ,and I don’t have one. Have I gone wrong with my installation .
cheers
Replied privately.