The 1939 Register

When is a census not a census ?

Local registrars recruited enumerators to go door to door. The difference this time was that they were recruited two years in advance, so that they could be deployed immediately in the event of war.

(National Archives)

The 1939 Register was taken on 29 September 1939. The information was used to produce identity cards and, once rationing was introduced in January 1940, to issue ration books. Information in the Register was also used to administer conscription and the direction of labour, and to monitor and control the movement of the population caused by military mobilisation and mass evacuation.

Registration of members of the armed forces was dealt with by the military authorities, so the 1939 Register does not include service personnel in military, naval and air force establishments. Nor does it include members of the armed forces billeted in private homes, including their own homes. However, since conscription did not begin in earnest until January 1940, most people who subsequently served in the armed forces during the Second World War were still civilians in September 1939.

The 1939 Register Gallery

Selecting the FAMILY NAME will display only those images for that family. Use the SEARCH box if no family name is selected. Enter the SURNAME first of the person you are looking for