5 simple steps for tracing First World War ancestors
Learn how to track down soldiers who fought in the First World War and uncover their fascinating life stories.
Whether you’re aware of it or not, your family likely has a connection to this historic conflict. Luckily, many sources have an extensive assortment of First World War resources at your disposal. Their collection features millions of records from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, all meticulously indexed to include a greater number of soldier names than any other online source.
If you’re looking to search for your ancestors who served in the First World War, cemetery and grave records at People Lagacy is the ideal platform to begin your search. To assist you in getting started, we have compiled a brief guide outlining the necessary steps to uncover your courageous family members.
1. Begin by consulting your relatives
When researching your family history, it is best to begin with people closest to you. Take the time to inquire about any recollections or belongings your family may have that might give useful information. This might include objects passed down through the generations such as photos, medals, letters, or diaries. Once you’ve obtained some data, you may enter it into your online family tree and start your inquiry.
If you know that your ancestor was born in the United Kingdom between the years 1878 and 1900, there is a good chance that they served in World War I. With about 5.7 million British Isles males serving at the time, and given the comparatively modest population of 46 million (including women) at the time, it is quite likely that your ancestor either volunteered or was called up for duty.
2. Explore family records
Finding information on combat casualties may be simpler than locating information about survivors. Military units, dates of death, and burial or remembrance places are all included in casualty records.
To commemorate and record the memory of First World War relatives who died while serving in the British armed services or British Dominions, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains a free Debt of Honour registry on its website.
Exploring medal rolls and military records might give useful information for people who survived the conflict. We will provide particular instructions on investigating persons in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force in the sections that follow.
Also, remember to examine marriage records for anyone who married during the conflict. Military service data are frequently included in the marriage certificate’s employment box. Including marriage certificates in your investigation can lead to the discovery of additional information relating to their military service during that time period.
3. Acknowledge missing First World War records
During World War I, the British Army grew from 750,000 troops in 1914 to nearly 5 million in 1918. Unfortunately, approximately 60% of the military records were destroyed by German bombing during WWII. Surviving records, on the other hand, have been meticulously indexed.
From 1760 to 1921, these data include all levels and branches (Army, Navy, and Air Force). If your ancestor served in the military after 1921, the Ministry of Defence would have their records.
If accessible, service records can tell you a lot about your ancestor’s life and military experience. Physical descriptions, residences, vocations, and family members are revealed in attestation documents. Promotions, qualifications, honors, penalties, and notable dates and locations may also be included. Pension and discharge documents include information on service time, disability, and post-demobilization activities.
Remember that the Royal Flying Corps was under British Army command prior to the establishment of the Royal Air Force in 1918. If you’re looking for a First World War airman, look into the British Army Service Records collection.
4. Familiarize yourself with their regiment
Extending your search beyond direct records mentioning your ancestor might reveal useful insights into their wartime experiences. Investigating regimental history, combat diaries, and trench maps will help you better grasp their path during the war.
Unit War Diaries are official military documents that chronicle the activities, positions, and circumstances of the battalion on a daily basis. While your ancestor is unlikely to be mentioned by name unless they were an officer, these diaries contain significant information about life on the Western Front. You may find them on the website of The National Archives.
There are also several regimental histories available online. These histories not only offer a complete history of the regiment’s conflicts, circumstances, and locations, but they may also include personal experiences from those who were present at the time. Exploring these materials will help you learn more about your ancestor’s regimental experiences.
5. Utilize newspapers
When researching your Great War relatives, the huge collection of historical newspapers available on numerous websites may be a great resource. These newspapers provide insight into how the local community dealt with the conflict, adding context to your study. Reports on troop movements and front-line developments can help you grasp your ancestor’s position in the larger picture.
Furthermore, newspapers are a fantastic source of images of your military ancestor. They frequently carried news on locals serving on the front lines, such as casualty reports, awards, promotions, mentions in dispatches, and even letters written home to loved ones. Many of these stories contained images of the soldiers in issue.
Conclusion
Every person who took part in the conflict between 1914 and 1918 needs to be recognized. Contribute to the preservation of your family’s heritage now by diving into your ancestor’s exciting, heartbreaking, and astounding combat stories.