Focus on
The American privateer and the secret copy of the Declaration of Independence
Uncover the story of the Dalton, and her rare copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Stories from the collection
Discover the stories behind the collection. Learn about the people, places and events featured in our records.
Spotlight on Black history
This Black History Month, explore stories that mark the impact of Black lives and culture through history.
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Focus on
'I feel now that at least I have roots': Eslanda Robeson’s African journey
NewIn 1936, anthropologist Eslanda Robeson took a three-month journey through Africa. As her letters show, it had a profound impact on her.
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Record revealed
Photograph of the Jubilee Singers
This photo shows an African American student choir who toured the UK and whose performances were attended by Queen Victoria and the Prime Minister.
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The Black Loyalist and spy who fled to 18th-century London
NewScipio Handley, a Black fisherman from South Carolina, took a great personal risk when he sided with the British during the American Revolutionary War.
Discover all stories
Browse and explore the human stories behind The National Archives’ collection.
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Record revealed
The physical examination of accused witches
NewIn 1634, a group of surgeons and midwives were ordered by King Charles I’s Privy Council to examine women accused of witchcraft in Lancashire.
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The story of
The Battle of Cable Street
NewFor many, The Battle of Cable Street symbolises community resistance to fascism, but what can archival records reveal about the realities behind this narrative?
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Focus on
The Black Loyalist and spy who fled to 18th-century London
NewScipio Handley, a Black fisherman from South Carolina, took a great personal risk when he sided with the British during the American Revolutionary War.
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Focus on
'I feel now that at least I have roots': Eslanda Robeson’s African journey
NewIn 1936, anthropologist Eslanda Robeson took a three-month journey through Africa. As her letters show, it had a profound impact on her.
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Record revealed
Freddie Mercury’s naturalisation certificate
Freddie Mercury was naturalised as a British citizen in 1969. This record tells the story of how he emigrated from Zanzibar to the UK.
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The story of
James Stagg: The weatherman who turned the tide of D-Day
The success of D-Day depended on the accurate forecasting of weather conditions by a team of meteorologists. Our records detail their crucial work.
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Record revealed
The parliamentary career of Norah Runge
This scrapbook from Parliament’s Archive Collection contains newspaper clippings that chart Norah Runge’s parliamentary career.
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Focus on
IVF and reproductive technology in the archive
Explore records hold by The National Archives that bring to light the people who fought for, and against, IVF as a treatment for infertility.
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Record revealed
Roy Sawh: From Where I Stand
We hold a copy of Sawh's 1967 pamphlet that outlined his critique of racism and British imperialism – and attracted attention from the police.
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Focus on
The American privateer and the secret copy of the Declaration of Independence
Uncover the story of the Dalton, and her rare copy of the Declaration of Independence.
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Record revealed
James II and the Declaration of Rights
In 1689, the role of the British Monarchy and Parliament would change forever. Legally, this began with a single document: the Declaration of Rights.
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Focus on
Home front India: Women’s experiences in a Second World War battle zone
This set of photographs shows women at work on an airfield in the Imphal Valley. What was their experience of living through a brutal battle?