Where to start

[mauricej]

Hi all,

A general enquiry at the moment, no one specific yet; but just to start out on the right path:

Quite a number of my ancestors must have joined up for WW1, when I start looking for them I should have their names, age and/or d.o.b. and a guess as to the regiment.

I have found a couple on the CWGC site; but if they served as an ordinary Tommy throughout the war and then simply went back onto the farm or down the mines, where would be the best places to start looking for their records.

Thanks,

Maurice

[Necromancer]

good a place as any to browse first ..

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=18&j=1


You can search the Medal cards index and some Records (up to 'N' at present), plus Pension Records Free on Ancestry at the moment ....

[mauricej]

Thanks Newf,
I had perhaps hoped there would be more;
but will check this out.

Thanks again,
Maurice

[scrimnet]

Ask round the family, get any photos, paperwork medals etc that you can find and then try to marry up your details....

Beware of soldiers of similar name, and don't always presume that they joined a "local" Regt!!!

All on this board are always pleased to help with anything that tips up! 

[LJReb123]

Maurice

Try this first class site

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

I'm a member there - you will be surprised where some of your posts will end up with maybe only a name and age to start with!!

David

[scrimnet]

A number of people cross post on that board and various others...And they also tip up on here!!! 

Myself included...


It's a rare day indeed that a members question on military matters cannot be answered on the Armed Forces board of Roots Chat! 

[forester]

And me....  .............and more than a handful of others I can think of. 

[mauricej]

Many thanks all;
site now added to 'bookmarks'.

Maurice