About National archives
National Archives: The Official Archive and Publisher for the UK Government
National Archives is a non-ministerial department that serves as the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, as well as for England and Wales. Established in 2003, National Archives has been preserving and providing access to historical records of national significance for over two centuries.
With a collection of over 11 million records spanning more than 1,000 years of history, National Archives is one of the largest archives in the world. Its vast collection includes government documents, maps, photographs, letters, diaries, films and sound recordings that provide insights into every aspect of British life.
The mission of National Archives is to make these records accessible to everyone who wants to explore them. Whether you are a historian researching your family tree or an academic studying social trends or political movements – there is something here for everyone.
One of the key roles played by National Archives is ensuring that government information remains available to citizens long after it has been created. This means preserving digital files as well as paper documents so that they can be accessed by future generations.
In addition to its archival work, National Archives also publishes a wide range of books on history and genealogy. These publications cover topics such as military history, social history and family history – making them invaluable resources for researchers around the world.
National Archives also offers a range of services designed to help people access its collections more easily. These include online databases such as Discovery – which allows users to search across all its collections at once – and digitised copies of key documents such as census returns or wills.
Another important service provided by National Archives is advice on how best to preserve personal archives or other historical materials. Its team can offer guidance on everything from storage solutions through to digitisation techniques – helping individuals ensure their own records are preserved for future generations too.
Overall then, whether you are interested in exploring your own family tree or delving into some aspect of British history – there really is no better place than National Archives. With its vast collection spanning centuries worth exploring plus expert advice on hand whenever needed - it truly represents an invaluable resource not just for scholars but anyone with an interest in our shared past!