How to search for security and intelligence records: where to start
Inspired to discover tales of espionage and intrigue? Find out how to start researching the records of MI5 and British intelligence services we hold.
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The collection blog - 2025
Learn how the stories hidden in our documents are uncovered by our experts and volunteers. Find out behind-the-scenes information about how we care for our records, and get tips on how you can do your own research.
Most recent posts
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Researching hospital-related records
Tracing hundreds of years, PhD student Jessica Gregory outlines some of the best ways to research hospital-related records at The National Archives.
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A summer (spy) reading list
Inspired by our current exhibition, MI5: Official Secrets, we've drawn up a summer reading list offering both spy fiction and fact.
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Norfolk Island: the ultra-penal colony
Volunteer Dr Brenda Mortimer examines how Australia's Norfolk Island became ‘a place of the extremest punishment’ for colonial convicts in the 1820s.
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Five reasons to visit MI5: Official Secrets
From secret codes to never-before seen devices, here’s five reasons to visit our current MI5: Official Secrets exhibition.
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The Long March to Freedom 1944–1945
Eighty years ago a series of forced prisoner of war marches took place. We trace some of the incredible stories from these marches through our records.
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Working while pursuing my passion: Becoming an archivist apprentice
For National Apprenticeships Week, Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprentice Liv Page reflects on her first two months here at The National Archives.
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Confessions from the Cambridge Five: a file release from MI5
Over 100 Security Service (MI5) files are being released today covering a wide range of subjects and individuals. Most notably, the Cambridge Five spy ring.
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How and why The National Archives moves documents offsite
Take a behind-the-scenes look at why some of our records are not kept at our main site in London, as we head underground to explore Deep Store.
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Looking for an old blog post?
The new National Archives blogs launched in 2025, but our older posts can still be read in the UK Government Web Archive.
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