Alice Buchanan
Record
About this collection
The 1939 Register of England and Wales was taken on 29 September 1939, just weeks after the outbreak of the Second World War. Unlike a traditional census, it was compiled to support wartime administration and later became the basis for the National Health Service register.
The register recorded details of every civilian in England and Wales, providing a snapshot of the population at the start of the war. It includes a wide range of information, such as:
- The full name of each individual
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Address
In many cases, entries were later updated to reflect changes such as marriages, with women’s surnames often amended in a different ink. These updates can provide valuable insights into later life events.
The 1939 Register differs from earlier censuses in several important ways. It does not include household relationships, and some individuals—particularly those still living or whose details remain restricted—may have their records closed.
Because the 1939 Register was used as a working document for many years, it can contain corrections, annotations, and amendments not found in earlier records, making it a particularly rich and dynamic source.
As the most recent large-scale population record currently available for England and Wales, the 1939 Register is an essential resource for tracing individuals and families in the 20th century, especially bridging the gap between the 1911 Census and modern records.
Search Tips
- Be aware of name changes. Many women’s surnames were later updated following marriage, often in a different ink. Try searching under both maiden and married names.
- Some records are closed. Entries for individuals who may still be living are often redacted, so you may see gaps within households.
- Spelling can still vary. Although more standardised than earlier records, it is still worth trying alternative spellings or partial names if a search is unsuccessful.
- Use occupation to refine results. Occupation details can help distinguish between individuals with similar names.
- Check the address. Even without listed relationships, individuals living at the same address can often be grouped together to reconstruct households.
- Look for annotations. Later updates, such as name changes, can provide valuable clues about marriages and life events after 1939, and are included in the Notes section if present in the record.
- Remember the context. The register was taken at the start of the Second World War, so some individuals may be absent due to military service or evacuation.
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