Looking for records of a person? (Catalogue reference: COPY 1/454)

The National Archives has launched a set of more than 60 'research signposts' on Looking for records of a person, to simplify the process of researching an ancestor.

Each signpost takes a single topic - for example the census, railway workers or the Indian Army. The short, clearly written guide points you to the most useful resources, whether these are online or original documents, held at The National Archives or elsewhere.

'These "research signposts" will guide researchers through the minefield of information out there,' Jeff James, Director of Operations and Services at The National Archives, said. 'As the first port of call, the online tools pull everything together in one place and will give people greater confidence to find the answers for themselves.'

Complementing the research signposts are a series of two-minute animated guides, Understand the archives in minutes. They will help you to understand how the archives work and how to find what you need.

Two further sets of research signposts, 'Looking for a place?' and 'Looking for a subject?' will be available on the website from September.