About Us

Looking ahead

Digitisation Project

What is the digitisation project ?
This is the project to scan and digitise birth, death and marriage records for England and Wales from 1837 to 2006. In 2005, Siemens IT solutions were awarded a three year contract to undertake this work. The project has been in a pause and review status since the Siemens contract expired and was not renewed in July 2008.

How many records have been digitised so far?
Over 130 million records have been digitised, namely the birth records from 1837 to 1935 and the death records from 1837 to 1957; this is approximately half of the total number of GRO records of birth, death and marriage. These are the record types most requested by members of the public applying to GRO for copies of certificates, often for the purposes of family history research.

What has happened to these records?
The digitised records are now being used by GRO within a system known as EAGLE (Electronic Access to GRO Legacy Events). The use of digitised records in handling certificate applications enables a quicker and more efficient system to be used for identifying and printing certificates. As well as a database and image store the EAGLE system also allows for the recording and tracking of customer orders.

What has happened since July 2008?
Following consideration of a high-level review of the options for completing digitisation of past registration records, the Identity and Passport Service have commissioned the preparation of a more detailed business case. Provided the business case confirms that sufficient benefits will result from digitisation, a new project can get under way in 2009. A fuller announcement will be possible at that point.


Where can I get further information?
Updates will appear on the IPS website as information becomes available. It is anticipated that the next progress update will be made by the end of April 2009.

If you have any comments on this page please contact: gro.communications@ips.gsi.gov.uk