This week has seen the much anticipated release of the 1939 register  for England and Wales, providing family historians with access to the only surviving national population survey data set taken here between 1921 to 1951. (The 1931 census was destroyed during WWII, and no census was taken in 1941.)

Findmypast has several payment options for accessing the register. You can search for free but will need to purchase credits to view specific results. The National Archives has a good introduction to the register, which explains the structure of the data set, and what you can expect to find.

Don’t be surprised if you cannot access records for a particular member of your family. Individuals’ records remain closed for 100 years after their birth, or until their death. Recent deaths were not recorded on the register before it was made available, although you can request a closed record to be opened by submitting the person’s death certificate.

For further help many family history societies in England are hosting a meeting to explore the 1939 register with Mylo Clelland from Findmypast – look up your local society here.