Standard Search

Extended Search

People, Places and Subjects

How to do a Basic Search        Advanced Help

Introduction

A2A acts like a search engine which searches the catalogues of separate archives which are held all over England and Wales. It is growing all the time as partnership projects add more records to the database. A2A allows you to search lots of individual catalogues at once so you can find out about records held in many different places.

A Basic Search

1. Type a word or words into "Keyword". [Additional information in other fields, such as Dates or Location can focus your search.] Click on "search".

2. You can sort your results by using the drop-down menu at the top of the page and click on "sort".

3. Click on the blue highlighted text at the right of the page to access each result.

4. If you are interested in seeing the records or obtaining copies, you must contact the place where the records are held. Follow the link at the top of that page which reads "To find out more about the archives described below, contact... [link to relevant archive]". They will be able to help you further.

5. If you want to look at your result in the context of the full relevant catalogue, click on "Catalogue in Full" at the top of the page. This may supply additional relevant information. [To find your result on this page you can search using "Ctrl F"]

6. If you need any further assistance you could have a look through the Advanced Help page or try Troubleshooting. You can also contact us via a2a@nationalarchives.gov.uk

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