Closed on the 1939 Register

[Malcolm Bull]

When are the "officially closed" records on the 1939 register opened?  Is it when the individual dies? or are the online records frozen and never opened?

Malcolm Bull

[KGarrad]

When TNA or FindMyPast are notified of the death (with evidence!).
Or when the birth is earlier than 100 years ago.

[CaroleW]

Also - Ancestry & FindMyPast may not update any info immediately. 

My unmarried aunt died in 2018 but her 1939 entry cannot be found.  I have the entry for her mother & siblings - all predeceased her - but her entry is still redacted.  She was 11yrs old in 1939

[Jebber]

Findmypast update more frequently than Ancestry, so you may find someone on one site before the other.

My husband died in 2009, his mother a year later in 2010, she is now open because she was born in 1920 but my husband will stay redacted unless they are informed of his death.

[DianaCanada]

My great aunt, who died in the early 1990’s (b.1901) is still redacted.  Her two sons, children at the time, but deceased now, are unredacted. Her daughter, also dead many years, is redacted, as is my mother, b. 1923, died in Canada.  All three of these women should be unredacted.  My great grandfather who also lived in the household is unredacted.  Funny all the males are visible, but not the females.

[LizzieL]

My mother born June 1924 but died several years ago, has  been redacted in the last three weeks. I suspect with married women FindMyPast don't link the name at birth to the name at death.

[KGarrad]

Have you reported the death to FindMyPast, or TNA?
You will need to supply proof, usually in the form of a death certificate.

Entries will also be opened after their 100th birthday.
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/family-records/redaction-and-the-1939-register

Also:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/1939-register/#10-how-can-i-open-a-record-of-an-individual-i-know-to-be-deceased