1939 Register up and running (Part 2)

[ReadyDale]

I expected the name to be as it appears on the register, not the supplementary info added years afterwards,for it to be included as it was at the time the register was compiled, if other family members are searching for this info and not aware of her remarriage, as many didn't.

I have just rechecked my great aunt, who also has three surnames in the register and she shows up if you search on any one of those three. So regardless of whether you were aware of her remarriage or not, whe would still be findable.

One of my aunts is not findable under her maiden name.  They have her indexed under her full Christian name with her Christian name again in brackets and married surname.  I cross checked using the folio and piece no. and found her husband and the rest of his family so I know I have the right lady     Seems to be a matter of pot luck.

If I understand you correctly, the index says:
FirstName (FirstName) MarriedSurname
If that is the case, then obviously it won't appear in a search on the maiden name, as it isn't in the database.
Have you purchased the actual image yet?
It could be that is exactly what the original record says, so is not FindMyPast's transcribing or indexing problem.
As has been highlighted a number of times in the various 1939 threads, this was a document containing many millions of names, updated for over 50 years, with interaction by many many people. There is more than enough oportunity for it to be imperfect, before even considering FindMyPast's work on it.
All things considered, it's in pretty good shape.

[MattD30]

PS

I don't have a subscription to Findmypast and don't want to keep paying for credits or take a subscription out. Is it possible to view these somewhere for free such as TNA, the library, or Society of Genealogists?

You can view for free at TNA. If you aren't going imminently, then see the bottom of my reply here

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=734467.msg5799121#msg5799121

So, does this mean they haven't destroyed the originals yet?

I'm also trying to envision how they would let you look at one side of the page without seeing the other.  I suppose there must be a way.

No the 1939 National Register is viewed on computers at the National Archives it is the same the one you see at home on your computer except you do not have to pay for access.

The paper register is kept at the GRO in Southport and is not open to the public.

Cheers
Guy

Thanks Guy. I'm planning to go to TNA on Saturday and with several people to look for or check it's good to know I can view them for free there. I also plan to take my grandmother's death certificate with me as I have not been able to find her. She died in 1992 so might be one of the 'closed records' but as her name changes several times in various records I haven't even been able to look for her in the index. The problem I have is that although I know when she died and have her death certificate, I don't know what name she would have been using when the register was taken. She was born Constance Gladys Rook (in 1919), but when she married my grandfather William John Donovan in 1937 she called herself Mary Constance Rook (and lied bout her age, father's name, and even claimed he was dead!), she is still down as Mary Constance on my uncle's birth certificate (from 1940) yet is down as Constance Gladys on my father's birth certificate (1944) and on a tree drawn up for me when I was born her name is down as Mary Constance Brook! In addition to this on some electoral registers for the 1940s and 50s her name varies between Mary and Constance. Any suggestions for this? However as I already have the Rook family traced back to the 17th century I am hoping the register will provide me with the information I need to trace my great grandmother Elizabeth Donovan (nee Sullivan).

Thanks again.

Matt

[MattD30]

No you can't view the original, they haven't been destroyed yet, you can access what FindMyPast has put online for free without the need to purchase credits.

No, you can't view the redacted entries online at TNA, they stay redacted.

You can only ask TNA to un-redact a closed entry of someone born after 1915 where you have a copy of thier death cert and their address at the time in 1939.

unredactions at TNA will cost £25 to process, free if you pay for credits for FindMyPast and then supply the death cert to FindMyPast.

Does this mean I have to pay TNA £25 to unredact the information on for my grandmother who was born in 1919 and died in 1992 (if I can locate where she is or what she was calling herself)? That seems a little harsh and unfair. If I apply through FindmyPast is it a longer process and is the cost different?

Matt

[MattD30]

I thought has just occurred to me about the 'open' and 'closed' records. From what I understand anyone who died after 1991 should be down as a 'closed record'. However my grandmother's file is open, even though she died in 2011. Could that just be a mistake on FindmyPast's part and my good luck?

Also can the register be searched via maiden names for women who may have married?

Matt

[andycand]

Hi MattD30

From what I understand only un-redacted records will be accessable at The National Archives. If you wish to open redacted records you need to apply using the form on link below, and it will cost 25 GBP
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/PaidSearch/FOI1939Register

If you purchase credits from Findmypast, open a household and wish to un-redact a person then how you go about it depends upon whether you have a subscription or not. If you have a World or Britain subscription (annual subscription according to TNA but not so clear on FindMyPast) then you can apply through Findmypast at no additional cost but if you dont have a qualifying subscription then you apply to TNA at a cost of 25 GBP.

Andy

[ShaunJ]

Incredibly unhelpful reply from FindMyPast re my report of a missing stretch of Caithness Drive in Crosby:

"Thank you for your interest in the 1939 register.

If you are searching for a particular street and are unable to find it you may need to be flexible in the search terms that you use.

However please note that the street may not have been taken in order, for example odd numbers may have been taken first as the enumerator moved up on side of the street.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further assistance

 Explore your world on the #eveofwar"

[dawnsh]

have you tried posting your query on their facebook page?

or have you tried having a 'live chat' with them about it?

[dawnsh]

I've seen the same questions being asked here over and over, this blog answers many of them

https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/watch-1436591498.html

interesting reply about how the transcriptions were made, being able to see only one column when you are not familiar with the enumerators handwriting could answer why there are a lot of question marks in the transcriptions

[rosie99]

Many thanks for confirming that they can be viewed at TNA. I'm planning to go there on Saturday and have quite a long list of people to check.

If I remember when one of the recent census was released TNA were allocating hourly time slots for viewing which were booked on arrival due to the numbers of people wanting to view the information.