What this tool does

The Record Availability Checker is an interactive tool that helps you identify which genealogy records are most likely to exist for a specific ancestor. By entering basic details about when and where your ancestor lived, you get a prioritised list of record types worth searching for.

This saves you time by focusing your research on the records that actually survived for your ancestor's time period and location, rather than hunting blindly through every possible archive.

When to use it

Use this tool when you are starting research on a new ancestor, or when you feel stuck and want to check if there are record types you have not yet explored. It is particularly helpful for ancestors from the 18th and 19th centuries, when record survival varies greatly depending on location and time period.

The tool is also useful if you have a specific record type in mind, such as military records or parish registers, and want to know how likely you are to find surviving documents for your particular ancestor.

How it works

You provide basic information about your ancestor including their birth and death years, where they lived, their nationality, and optionally a specific record type you are interested in. The tool then analyses this information against known patterns of record survival in the UK to suggest which records are most promising to search.

You receive guidance on which record types to prioritise, explanations of why certain records are likely to exist for your timeframe and location, and practical advice on where to begin your search. Nothing you enter is saved, and you do not need to create an account to use the tool.