An extract from Great Domesday - Warwickshire (Catalogue reference E 31/2)
Our records
Our research guides provide in-depth guidance to where you can find the information and records you are looking for on a wide range of topics.
Public records
The National Archives holds 178 km of records created by central government departments and agencies, and central courts of law of England and Wales. These public records range from Domesday Book of the late eleventh century to born-digital records recently transferred from government departments.
According to the 30 year rule, central government departments must transfer their records to The National Archives within 30 years of creation. Sometimes, however, they are transferred much earlier. Records of public enquiries, for example, are usually transferred soon after completion.
The National Archives also has some gifted or deposited private papers, mainly of political and military leaders, such as those of Ramsay Macdonald; as well as large collections of private records, such as those of the railway companies prior to nationalisation in 1948. Our collection gives more information on the records we hold at The National Archives and where to find those that we don't hold.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 has ended the rule that kept records closed for 30 years. They are now assumed to be open on transfer unless they are covered by exemptions, which are specified under the Act.
