The National Archives

05/09/2026

Today would have been Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday.

The National Archives holds most of the surviving paperwork for successful naturalisations, up until 1986, including Freddie's from 2 June 1969.

Freddie was born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 in Zanzibar, then a British Protectorate in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of East Africa. He and his family arrived in Feltham, West London in October 1964.

In 1969, Freddie graduated college and became a British citizen by naturalisation. This is the legal process by which a person changes their nationality. To do this, he had to complete this form detailing personal information including his full name, birthplace, residence, and father's name. The form was then approved by the Home Office.

Find out more about Freddie's life and naturalisation record here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/freddie-mercurys-naturalisation-certificate/

Freddie Mercury in concert at Slane Castle, County Meath, Ireland, 1986. Copyright: Carol Lee / Alamy
Catalogue reference: HO 334/1421/117889

01/09/2026

September at The National Archives 🍂

Catch a glimpse of the exciting talks and tours coming up this month. You can view our full programme here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/

28/08/2026

Want to learn more about IVF and reproductive technology through the archive?

During its development, many considered in vitro fertilisation (IVF) unethical. Records at The National Archives highlight how this view has changed over time and brings to light the people who fought for, and against, its use.

The archival material surrounding the development of IVF is invaluable for understanding how governments and society responded to the challenges posed by new reproductive technologies.

Read more here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/ivf-and-reproductive-technology-in-the-archive/

Catalogue reference: MH 166/928. Letter from Parliamentary Candidate John Wilson to the Minister of Health, 26 February 1967.

25/08/2026

Interested in hearing about the double agent who hid D-Day from the N***s?

Elvira Chaudoir (1911–1996) served as a double agent for the British Secret Services during the Second World War. A life of charm, high-stakes, and duplicity saw her play a cunning role in the Allied victory at D-Day.

A woman unabashed by the social norms of the time, Elvira hosted frequent parties, spent most nights playing poker and was noted for having 'le***an tendencies'.

Tune into BBC Radio 4's newest episode of History's Secret Heroes on Elvira the double agent, featuring our Education Officer Sophie: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0030lz9

Slide 1: Photograph provided by Goadby Marwood History Group ©
Slide 2: Catalogue reference: KV 2/2098. Soon after being employed by British Secret Services, Elvira was given a stern telling off for bragging of her espionage to friends.

24/08/2026

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition takes place every year on 23 August.

To mark this day, The National Archives remember and reflect on the violent trafficking of enslaved African people, and their acts of resistance throughout transatlantic slavery.

Transatlantic slavery was thoroughly documented by Britain throughout the nearly 275 years of its operation. Today, many of these records are held by The National Archives. Our researchers are working to increase access and understanding of enslaved people’s histories through the PASSAGE project, which is funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation. This project allows us to examine these records in greater detail than previously possible.

Read more about the records involved: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/professional-guidance-and-services/our-research-and-academic-collaboration/our-research-projects/research-projects/remembering-slavery-reflections-from-the-passage-project/

Bill of Lading signed by Captain Charles Anderson, 3 April 1806. Catalogue reference: T 70/1583
Death certificate of Quodjebah, one of the women enslaved at Cape Coast Castle. Catalogue reference: T 70/1522/122

22/08/2026

On this day in 1485, the Battle of Bosworth took place ⚔️

Bosworth is recognised as one of the most important battles of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the houses of Lancaster and York.

Richard III was killed, marking the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and the Tudor dynasty began, with Henry Tudor winning the battle and claiming the throne.

The National Archives holds extensive records on the Wars of the Roses; including this plea roll from 1483 which depicts Richard III's heraldic device (a boar) and this document from 1511 when Henry VIII licenced the building of a chapel on the ground where Bosworth was fought.

Find out more here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-time-period/medieval/the-wars-of-the-roses/

Catalogue reference: KB 27/888/2. Richard III‘s heraldic device.
Catalogue reference: C 82/367, no. 24.

20/08/2026

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick dispute.

In August 1976, a group of migrant workers led by Jayaben Desai walked out of the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory in the London Borough of Brent. Taking a stand against racism, low pay and limited workers’ rights, the dispute became a critical moment for trade unionism and social change.

Workers at Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory faced ‘… poor pay, long hours, aggressive supervision, petty restrictions and penalties imposed on the workers’, according to evidence submitted by Tom Durkin, chair of Brent Trades Council, to the Court of Inquiry into the industrial dispute.

The women of the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory, however, knew their worth – and their rights – and demanded better.

Read about Jayaben Desai's story and how the Grunwick dispute unravelled through our records: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/jayaben-desai-and-the-grunwick-dispute/

Jayaben Desai leads a protest in 1977, in front of a large police presence. © Homer Sykes / Alamy Stock Photo
Copy of a letter from a former Grunwick employee, P.J. Rawal, questioning the company’s decision to sack her after not getting to work in time. Catalogue reference: LAB 10/3923/2

13/08/2026

Did you witness the once-in-a-lifetime eclipse yesterday?

This 'Eclipse of the Sun 29th June 1927' poster map in our collection shows the area of Pateley Bridge, Muker, Murton and Saltburn (Yorkshire and County Durham), and the path of the total solar eclipse. This was published by the London and North Eastern Railway - commonly referred to as LNER.

This was originally filed with other posters and guides advertising special train services and excursions to see the eclipse.

Catalogue Ref: MFQ 1/712

12/08/2026

The mysterious case of the ‘Baltimore Declaration’ 📝

It has been discovered that a unique copy of the US Declaration of Independence held by The National Archives, originally thought to be printed in Baltimore, is actually the 27th surviving example from the documents first official printing in Philadelphia, on 4 July 1776.

The first imprints of the United States Declaration of Independence were produced with great speed and secrecy by Philadelphia-based printer John Dunlap. Printed on wide, broadside paper, these Declarations were designed to publicly proclaim the United States’ separation from Britain. Of the 200 copies printed by Philadelphia printer John Dunlap on 4 July, only 26 were thought to have survived. The Baltimore Dunlap was not previously counted among these because of the imprint reading 'Baltimore: Printed by John Dunlap' rather than Philadelphia.

The possibility that the Baltimore Dunlap was printed in Philadelphia was first raised by researchers in the 1970s. New analysis by our specialists has now provided the strongest evidence yet that the Baltimore copy was produced
from the same setting of type as the Philadelphia Dunlaps, with only the imprint line altered.

Dr Graham Moore, curator of Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story 1763 – 1783, said that ‘combined with our recent discovery of a previously unknown copy of the Declaration produced in Exeter, New Hampshire, this shows that even after 250 years, the Declaration of Independence is still capable of yielding remarkable new discoveries.’

Find out more about this fascinating story: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/the-myterious-baltimore-copy-of-the-us-declaration-of-independence/

And if you want to see one of the 26 original prints of the Declaration of Independence in person, along with many other history-altering documents, come and visit The National Archives to see Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763-1783.

We hold an original version of the Declaration that is completely unique: the only known copy attributed to John Dunlap’s shop in Baltimore.

11/08/2026

Did you join us for Archives Fest 2026? 📖☀️

Our summer celebration of history featured expert talks, behind-the-scenes tours, performances, and more. From displays of iconic documents to food trucks and family activities, visitors joined us for an incredible day of celebrating our archive. The festival was inspired by our collections and current exhibition, Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763-1783.

We'll see you for the return of Archives Fest next summer, but in the meantime, why not visit our free exhibition and take a stroll round our grounds?🌿

Music credit: https://www.silkstreetjazz.co.uk/