Finding Your Past: A Guide to Understanding 1939 Registration Districts

Are you searching for your family tree but unsure where to start? The 1939 Register, a comprehensive record of British citizens at the outbreak of World War II, can be a valuable resource in tracing your ancestry. However, navigating its complex system of registration districts and county boundaries can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll break down the key components of the 1939 Register and provide tips on how to find your ancestors without breaking the bank.

County Boundaries: A Guide

Rutland stands alone as a county, separate from Leicestershire, while East Midlands is divided into Soke of Peterborough. Cambridgeshire's Isle of Ely is listed separately, and big cities like Birmingham and Bristol straddle county boundaries but are only listed in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire respectively. The Isle of Wight has its own listing, Sussex is divided into East and West, Lincolnshire is split into Holland, Kesteven, and Lindsey, and Yorkshire has three ridings.

London's Unique Structure

London starts with the City of London, followed by an alphabetical sequence of Metropolitan Boroughs, and finally, the City of Westminster. Within each county, County Boroughs come first, then Municipal Boroughs and Urban Districts (combined), and finally, Rural Districts. The counties are listed alphabetically, not geographically.

Enumeration Districts: A Key to Unlocking Your Ancestry

The 1939 Register includes enumeration district letter codes on the transcript and image. These districts start in London with AAA and spiral outward to cover areas corresponding roughly to modern Greater London boroughs, Home Counties, and surrounding regions. Those outside of London include various abbreviations after them: I.D.

Finding Your Ancestry without Paying UK

If you're looking for a free ancestry website, there are options available. Findmypast has been matching the 1939 Register against indexes of deaths in England and Wales. With over 1400 districts to explore, understanding these registration districts is crucial to finding your family tree.

Tracing your ancestry can be a daunting task, but with this guide, you'll have a better understanding of the 1939 Registration Districts and county boundaries. Whether you're searching for free resources or looking to unlock the secrets of your past, this comprehensive register is an invaluable tool in your search for family history.

Remember to check the left-hand side list, organized by short code, and use the enumeration district letter codes to help you navigate the vast array of information within the 1939 Register. Start your journey today and discover the stories of your ancestors!

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