Many of us can trace our ancestry back to England and the British Isles and for this reason, The National Archives is one of the most important, if not the most important, source of information on our family history.
The old childrens rhyme about tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, really does apply here. If your ancestor was English, it is essential to know what records are available here and how to access them, whether in person or from a distance.
The foundation stone of this archive is the Doomsday Book, the record of the whole country, a census if you will, instigated by William I in 1086. Records of British monarchs and governments through the ages are here from Henry VIIs Court of Star Chamber to the 1911 census.
The records may have been created by Kings or Queens or their governments but in the end, they are about people, our people, the ordinary man in street, who appealed to the Court of Star Chamber for justice or fought for his country in battles overseas.
This course is designed to help you learn how to explore this great archive, its holdings and how you can access them to help your research.
It covers records about our ancestors occupations, criminals, military men and emigration as well as records of divorce and dispute.
Course Content
Module 1
Introduction
Websites
Learning About The National Archives
History
The Keepers Gallery
What records are held at The National Archives?
What records are not held at The National Archives?
Registration records of birth, marriage and death
Census Returns
Parish Registers
Wills
The Catalogue
Understanding the department codes
Getting Help
Visiting The National Archives in person
Travelling to The National Archives
Rules
Viewing and ordering documents at The National Archives
Ordering and copying original documents
Document Reading Rooms
Copying Documents
Yellow Document Ticket System
Using The National Archives from a distance
Ordering copies of documents not available to download
What they cannot provide
Hiring an Independent Researcher
Module 2
Birth, Marriage, Death, Divorce, Dispute & Inheritance
Websites
Introduction
Nonconformist Registers
Wills
Death Duty Registers
Chancery Documents
Divorce
Family Trees and Pedigrees
Module 3
Military Records
Websites
Soldiers
Soldiers Families
Muster Pay Rolls
First World War Records (1914-1918)
Sailors - Royal Navy
Service from 1853 to 1872 (series ADM 139)
Service from 1873 to 1923 (series ADM 188)
Royal Marines
Merchant Seamen
1857-1913
After 1913
First World War Medals
Second World War Medals
Module 4
Criminal Ancestors, Transportation, Emigration and Immigration
Websites
Records of Criminality
Records of the Justices of Assize for the period 1554-1971
Prison Records
Travel: Immigration & Emigration
Incoming Passenger lists (1878-1860)
Outgoing Passenger lists (1890-1960)
Foreign Arrivals
Naturalisation
Aliens Registration Cards 1918-1957
Other Records
Module 5
Occupational Records
Websites
Customs and Excise Officers
Customs Officers
Police Officers
Staff Records
Pension Records
Recommended Reading
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