Discovery

Discovery functions as a comprehensive archival directory that holds more than 37 million descriptions of records preserved by The National Archives alongside over 3,500 other repositories across the United Kingdom. The platform allows users to navigate historical documents using chronological filters, keyword searches, user-generated tagging, and an integrated interface to download over 9 million digitalized records. Its content spans military operational service files, passenger manifests, naturalization files, wills, and the official Manorial Documents Register for England and Wales. The service provides high practical value to genealogists, academic historians, and educators by offering free subject research guides, an archival locator index, and direct access to primary resource documentation under the Open Government Licence.