Federation Of Family History Societies

The 1939 Register for England and Wales

The NHS Information Centre has introduced a fee-paying service to provide information from the 1939 Register, but only in respect of deceased persons.

Created under The National Registration Act 1939, the 1939 Register for England and Wales was originally the responsibility of the Registrar General who, under the 1939 Act created a register of the civilian population.

This enumeration occurred on 29 September 1939 and a National Registration number was assigned to each person after the following data was collected from each household:

• Names.
• Sex.
• Date of birth.
• Occupation, profession, trade or employment.
• Residence.
• Condition as to marriage.
• Membership of Naval, Military or Air Force Reserves or Auxiliary Forces or of Civil Defence Services or Reserves.

The 1939 Register was structured by geographical area and was used for a range of purposes including the issue of identity cards during and after the Second World War.

An application form and more information can be obtained from www.ic.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news.  The cost of each application is £42.00 and there is no refund for unsuccessful searches.

Thanks to Steven Smyrl of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations for background information on this.  You can read more at www.cigo.ie/news.html.

Information about data in respect of Scotland can be obtained here.  The cost is a more reasonable £13, with a charge of only £5 where there is no trace of the individual.

There is no news of a similar facility for Northern Ireland.

Roger Lewry
FFHS Archives Liaison

9 March 2010