In general, we release new descriptions gradually so that information becomes searchable as soon as possible. To restrict catalogue searches to a particular project, type its series reference (for example, HO 250) into the search box on the Discovery home page or click on the links below. Once you have found something interesting, you can visit The National Archives in person, or order a copy of the record.
Cataloguing projects finished in the financial year ending March 2022
In general, we release new descriptions gradually so that information becomes searchable as soon as possible. To restrict catalogue searches to a particular project, type its series reference (for example, HO 250) into the search box on the Discovery home page or click on the links below. Once you have found something interesting, you can visit The National Archives in person, or order a copy of the record.
BT 373: Merchant Seamen prisoners of war in the Second World War
Fuller details were recorded for 3,333 Merchant Seamen. In addition to the basic data already available for entries, usually first name and initials, this project focused on the enhancement of existing descriptions. The project had 9 volunteers all on site who worked tirelessly to add additional descriptions to all but 6 boxes of documents before lockdown in March 2020. All enhancements were live on Discovery by April 2021.
SP 32: State Papers Domestic, William and Mary, SP 33: ‘Large Document’ county tax assessments (Cornwall to Yorkshire)
In December 2021, a small team of three dedicated volunteers commenced the combined project to catalogue both the SP 32 ‘State Papers Domestic, William and Mary’ and the SP 33 ‘Large Document’ county tax assessments (Cornwall to Yorkshire). Although the vast majority of these bound letter-book records cover the period from the Bill of Rights in 1689 to the Death of William III in 1702, there are some stand-alone papers dating back to the reign of Charles II (and forwards to George II). The majority of this collection is written in English, though there are discrete runs of correspondence in French and Latin.
A total of 21 pieces were enhanced, creating 2,696 new item level descriptions in SP 32 and SP 33 added to Discovery. Although SP 33 is very nearly composed of just subsidies granted to the crown for the war against Louis XIV, there are also a few miscellaneous documents such as the highly illuminated 1695 letters patent of the Queen Dowager, Catherine [of Braganza] in SP 33/A.
The records themselves are extremely diverse, including material on the ‘Williamite’ War in Ireland, the many Jacobite intrigues against the person of the King himself, and the mounting re-coinage crisis of the latter 1690’s. International trade, diplomacy and major conflicts are also covered with reports on the Ill-fated Scottish colony of Darien on the isthmus of Panama, accounts on Carlos II of Spain, and the military expeditions to Europe as part of the ‘Grand Alliance’ against Bourbon France.
Many thanks to the volunteers, who delivered the project in good time despite the restrictions of Covid lockdowns.
State of the Catalogue Programme
The State of the Catalogue programme aims to improve TNA’s inadequate catalogue metadata. Three data elements are assessed and enhanced: Catalogue Reference, Covering Date and Scope and Content. The programme aims to widen access to TNA’s records, allowing users to make informed decisions regarding the usefulness of records for their research purposes.
33,431 data problems for this reporting period. Some of the series worked on include:
FO 1071: Foreign Office: Control Commission for Germany (British Element), Combined Travel Security Board, later Combined Travel Board, and Zonal Travel Directorate and Bureaux: Registered Files (CTB and other Series) – 1595 data issues resolved
RAIL 1057: Miscellaneous Papers and Records [for various Railway companies] – 1103 data issues resolved
BT 56: Board of Trade: Office of the Chief Industrial Adviser – 1073 data issues resolved
T 106: Treasury: Clearing Offices: Records – 938 data issues resolved
BT 99: Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Agreements and Crew Lists, Series II – 905 data issues resolved
OS 32: Ordnance Survey: Boundaries Branch: Boundary Reports – 804 data issues resolved
FO 315: Archives of Sierra Leone Slave Trade Commission – 554 data issues resolved
DEL 10: Registrar of the High Court of Delegates, and Registrar of Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Causes of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council: Testamentary Exhibits – 537 data issues resolved
AIR 12: Admiralty and Air Ministry: Naval Aircraft Works, Later Royal Airship Works, Cardington: Airship and Engine Drawings – 306 data issues resolved
TS 36: Treasury Solicitor: Transcripts of Proceedings – 286 data issues resolved
Data adequacy projects
In total, 59 individual data adequacy projects were completed and a total of 122, 958 records updated for this reporting period.
Highlights include:
E 133: Exchequer: King’s Remembrancer: Barons’ Depositions
Accurate dates provided for 8111 items (130 boxes).
WO 25: War Office and predecessors: Secretary-at-War, Secretary of State for War, and Related Bodies, Registers
249 pieces were updated, correcting misleading descriptions.
WO 172: War Office: British and Allied Land Forces, South East Asia: War Diaries, Second World War
11,110 pieces and items updated, providing new access updates.
WO 416: German Record cards
914 documents were enhanced to resolve access and description discrepancies.
DSIR 25: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Pest Infestation Research Laboratory Papers
Entire series enhanced providing more comprehensive descriptions.
IR 127/3: Record Sheet Plans: East Anglia Region: Chelmsford District
47 pieces updated and enhanced and 38 new pieces created.
WO 166: War Diaries, Second World War
400 pieces and a sub-series enhanced.