WW1 Research Tips

[kiterunner]

This thread is for research tips and links to useful websites and databases. Please add any more that you know of. No doubt there will be more websites and databases launched over the next few months, and very likely sites such as ancestry and findmypast will be offering free access to some of their databases at some time, so please post up any such news you come across.

[kiterunner]

Useful links for researching WW1 service:

British Army WW1 medal roll index cards on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1262)
British Army WW1 medal rolls on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5119)
British Army WW1 service records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1219)
British Army WW1 pension records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1114)
UK Silver War Badge records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2456)
National Roll of the Great War on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9283)
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60454)
Soldiers Died in the Great War on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1543)
Ireland Casualties of WW1 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1633)
Gateshead War Honours Scrapbook on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1641)
Commonwealth War Graves on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2706)
Memorial Books on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2896)
Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1283)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1963)
Distinguished Conduct Medal Citations on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1913)
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects 1901-1929 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60506)
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services 1900-1928 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60522)
WW1 War Diaries - Gallipoli and Dardanelles 1914-16 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60380)
WW1 War Diaries - France, Belgium and Germany 1914-20 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60779)

[kiterunner]

British Army medal index cards on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm)
Merchant Seamen's medal records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/merchant-seamen-medals-ww1.htm)
RAF Officers' Service Records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/raf-officers-ww1.htm)
WRAF Service Records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/airwomen-ww1.htm)
WAAC service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/womens-army-auxiliary-corps.htm)
British army nurses' service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/army-nurses-service-records.htm)
Prisoner of War Interview reports on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/prisoners-of-war-ww1.htm)
Middlesex military service appeal tribunal (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/middlesex-military-service-appeal-tribunal.htm)
Royal Marines' service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/marines.htm)
Royal Navy Officers' service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-officers-service-records.htm)
Royal Navy ratings' service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-seamen.htm)
WRNS service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/womens-royal-naval-service-ww1.htm)
Royal Naval Division service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-division.htm)
Royal Navy officers service cards and files on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-officers-files.htm)
Royal Naval Reserve service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-reserve-service-records.htm)
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-volunteer-reserve-service-records.htm)
Royal Naval Air Service officers' service records on TNA (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/rnas-service-records.htm)


Soldiers' wills (https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website (http://www.cwgc.org/)

[kiterunner]

Findmypast databases:
Absent Voters Lists 1918-1921 (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/britain-absent-voters-lists-1918-1921?_ga=1.1417777.1486856972.1443770113)
British Army Service Records 1914-1920 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-army-service-records-1914-1920?_ga=1.140406963.1494116925.1289493982#british-army-service-records-1914-1920?_ga=1.140406963.1494116925.1289493982&_suid=140015680008706218336344474669)
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/de-ruvignys-roll-of-honour-1914-1918#./de-ruvignys-roll-of-honour-1914-1918?&_suid=1396599198682047249309864650413)
Distinguished Conduct Medal Citations on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/wwi-distinguished-conduct-medal-citations#./wwi-distinguished-conduct-medal-citations?&_suid=139659925593509241910263410935)
Manchester City Battalions on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/manchester-regiment-city-battalions-1914-1916#./manchester-regiment-city-battalions-1914-1916?&_suid=139659930080108066824973922414)
Manchester Roll of Honour on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/manchester-employers-roll-of-honour-1914-1916#./manchester-employers-roll-of-honour-1914-1916?&_suid=1396599343533003778177734481436)
National Roll of the Great War on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/national-roll-of-the-great-war-1914-1918#./national-roll-of-the-great-war-1914-1918?&_suid=139659941704502721973862305998)
Royal Naval Casualties on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/ww1-naval-casualties#./ww1-naval-casualties?&_suid=13965995086290561026332873744)
Oldham Employers' Roll of Honour on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/oldham-pals-roll-of-honour#./oldham-pals-roll-of-honour?&_suid=139659954561007253883325883563)
Oldham Pals' Battalion on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/oldham-pals-1914-1920#./oldham-pals-1914-1920?&_suid=139659957619608438743025389834)
British Army Prisoners of War on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-officers-taken-prisoner-of-war-1914-1918#./british-officers-taken-prisoner-of-war-1914-1918?&_suid=1396599614526022883225449832994)
RAF Muster Roll on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-air-force-muster-roll-1918#./royal-air-force-muster-roll-1918?&_suid=1396599646294014452227412818225)
Royal Marines' medal roll on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-marine-medal-roll-1914-1920#./royal-marine-medal-roll-1914-1920?&_suid=1396599688972044433618742903913)
Royal Naval Division Casualties on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-naval-division-records-1914-1919#./royal-naval-division-records-1914-1919?&_suid=139659973473203259693949212021)
Royal Naval Division service records on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-naval-division-service-records-1914-1920#./royal-naval-division-service-records-1914-1920?&_suid=1396599764422000997740733661362)
Royal Navy Officers Medal Roll on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-navy-officers-medal-roll-1914-1920#./royal-navy-officers-medal-roll-1914-1920?&_suid=139659979181502548620489540997)
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve medal roll on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/rnvr-other-ranks---medal-rolls-1914-1920#./rnvr-other-ranks---medal-rolls-1914-1920?&_suid=1396599826096022265305833487725)
Soldiers Died in the Great War on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/soldiers-died-in-the-great-war-1914-1919#./soldiers-died-in-the-great-war-1914-1919?&_suid=139659985934005321080674800137)
Swansea Pals' Battalion on FMP (http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/swansea-pals-14th-welsh-regt#./swansea-pals-14th-welsh-regt?&_suid=139659988410500036139079002250884)
Birmingham Pals Battalion on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/birmingham-city-battalions-1914-1918?_ga=1.164191356.2137666626.1356288841)
Birmingham Employers' Roll of Honour on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/birmingham-employers-roll-of-honour-1914-1918?_ga=1.133412941.2137666626.1356288841)
Bradford Pals on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/bradford-pals-1914-1918?_ga=1.133412941.2137666626.1356288841)
Edinburgh Pals on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/edinburgh-pals-1914-1918?_ga=1.92903134.2137666626.1356288841)
Glasgow Pals on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/glasgow-pals-1914-1918?_ga=1.92903134.2137666626.1356288841)
Liverpool Pals on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/liverpool-pals-1914-1918?_ga=1.66288621.2137666626.1356288841)
Salford Pals on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/salford-pals-1914-1918?_ga=1.66288621.2137666626.1356288841)
Royal Sussex Regiment Southdown Pals' Battalion on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-sussex-regiment-southdown-battalions-1914-1918?_ga=1.166958845.2137666626.1356288841)
Stockbrokers Battalion on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-fusiliers-stockbrokers-battalion-1914-1918?_ga=1.167817954.2137666626.1356288841)
Sportsmens Battalion on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/1st-sportsmans-battalion-royal-fusiliers-1914-1918?_ga=1.122204232.2137666626.1356288841)
Royal Navy Seamen 1899-1919 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-navy-seamen-1899-1919?_ga=1.97237724.2137666626.1356288841)
Royal Marines 1899-1919 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-marines-1899-1919?_ga=1.99654237.2137666626.1356288841)
Royal Navy Officers 1899-1919 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-navy-officers-1899-1919?_ga=1.130585420.2137666626.1356288841)
Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-artillery-attestations-1883-1942#./royal-artillery-attestations-1883-1942?&_suid=139889653999002787035879517046)
Welsh Guards 1914-1918 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/welsh-guards-1914-1918#./welsh-guards-1914-1918?&_suid=139936142285805684702489331128)
British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-red-cross-register-of-overseas-volunteers-1914-1918?_ga=1.51232297.1494116925.1289493982#british-red-cross-register-of-overseas-volunteers-1914-1918?_ga=1.51232297.1494116925.1289493982&_suid=140027885824707204030003847871)
RAF Airmen's Service Records (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/british-royal-air-force-airmens-service-records-1912-1939?yearofbirth=1914&yearofbirth_offset=0)
RAF Officers' Service Records (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-royal-air-force-officers-service-records-1912-1920?_ga=1.110607493.1494116925.1289493982)
Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll 1914-1918 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9859)
Australian Imperial Force Embarkation Roll 1914-1918 (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/australian-imperial-force-embarkation-roll-1914-1918#./australian-imperial-force-embarkation-roll-1914-1918?&_suid=139841059935302166729644829959)
WW1 Merchant Navy Medal Index Cards - index only, actual images are on TNA (http://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/british-merchant-navy-first-world-war-medal-cards-1914-1925?sisearchengine=1068&siproduct=Email&utm_source=fmpau_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=281502)
Trade Union Members Service and Casualties 1914-8 (http://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/britain-trade-union-members-service-and-casualties-1914-1918?_ga=1.32499646.18480581.1276529874)
Royal Artillery War Commemoration Book 1914-8 (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-army-royal-artillery-war-commemoration-book-1914-1918?_ga=1.17667641.1494116925.1289493982)
Clacton-on-Sea Roll of Honour 1914-8 (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/essex-clacton-roll-of-honour-1914-1918?_ga=1.80533015.1494116925.1289493982)

Women's Army Auxiliary Corps 1917-1920 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-army-womens-army-auxiliary-corps-1917-1920?_ga=1.148805815.1494116925.1289493982)
Women's Royal Naval Service Officer Files 1919-1920 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-womens-royal-naval-service-officer-files-1917-1919?_ga=1.148805815.1494116925.1289493982)
Women's Royal Naval Service Ratings' service register 1918-9 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-womens-royal-naval-service-ratings-service-registers-1918-1919?_ga=1.111530116.1494116925.1289493982)
Women's Royal Air Force Service Records 1918-20 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-womens-royal-air-force-service-records-1918-1920?_ga=1.115841926.1494116925.1289493982)
Prisoners of War 1915-20 on FMP (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/prisoners-of-war-1914-1920?_ga=1.106420099.1494116925.1289493982)

[kiterunner]

Australian army service records on NAA (http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/BasicSearch.aspx)

This link takes you to the basic search facility for the whole of the NAA site - if anybody knows a way to search just the WW1 army service records, please let us know!

And now there is also:
Australian WW1 Service Records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60864)

[kiterunner]

New Zealand WW1 service records on the Archives NZ site (http://archway.archives.govt.nz/)

Again, this is a link to the main search of the whole site, but please let us know if you find a way to search just the WW1 service records.

[kiterunner]

Canadian Soldiers of the First World War on Library and Archives Canada site (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/search.aspx)

[kiterunner]

Canadian stuff on ancestry:
Canada Soldiers of the First World War on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1086)
Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1973)
Canada CEF War Graves Registers on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1952)

[kiterunner]

New Zealand stuff on ancestry:
New Zealand Army Nominal Rolls on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1833)
New Zealand Army Reserve Rolls on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1834)
New Zealand Army Casualty Lists on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1835)
New Zealand Army Roll of Honour on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1924)
New Zealand WW1 Military Defaulters on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1929)

[kiterunner]

And USA stuff on ancestry:
USA Draft Registration Cards on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=6482)
New York Abstracts of WW1 Military Service on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=3030)
WW1 Civilian Draft Registrations on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=3172)
Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4906)
American Red Cross Nurse Files on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2365)
Ohio Soldiers in WW1 on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=7895)
Georgia WW1 service cards on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=3129)
Connecticut Military Census on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2277)
Ohio Military Men on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4520)
California WW1 Soldier Photographs on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1784)
New York WW1 Veterans' Service Data on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1196)
Maryland Military Men on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4545)
Alabama Military Card Files on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2236)
California Soldier Service Cards and Photos on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1701)
New Mexico WW1 records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=8803)
Kansas Camp Funston Military Records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2396)
North Dakota Military Men on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4569)
Kansas WW1 Veteran Collection on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2021)
Maine Military Men on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4619)
US Soldier Naturalizations on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2362)
US Jewish Servicemen Questionnaires on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1765)
Colorado Soldiers on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5442)
North Dakota Service Roster on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=31404)
California Death Announcements on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2245)
Texas, Camp Travis records on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5073)
US Naval Deaths on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=4022)
Indiana Gold Star Honor Roll on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5182)
California Soldier Citations on ancestry (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2244)

[kiterunner]

Accrington Absent Voters List 1918 (http://www.pals.org.uk/avl/)
Leeds Absent Voters List 1918 (http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Absent-war-voters.aspx)
Salford Absent Voters List 1918 (http://www.salfordwarmemorials.co.uk/resources.html#AVL)
Hertfordshire Names Online - includes Absent Voters Lists for 1918 and 1919 (https://www.hertsdirect.org/ufs/ufsmain?ebz=1_1424357419468&ebd=0)

[kiterunner]

London Gazette website (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/)
Scottish Roll of Honour (http://www.snwm.org/)

[kiterunner]

The National Archives First World War maps (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/maps/europe1914.htm)
Animated Map: The Western Front, 1914 - 1918 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_ani_western_front.shtml)
WW1 Battlefield Maps (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/places/ww1-western-front.htm)

[marquette]

Australian army service records on NAA (http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/BasicSearch.aspx)

This link takes you to the basic search facility for the whole of the NAA site - if anybody knows a way to search just the WW1 army service records, please let us know!

You used to be able to put in "B2455" in the series box, but they have changed the search page !

Instead of the Basic Recordsearch, use the NAME search and it asks for Family name and "category of records" and choose WW1 from the drop down box. If there are a lot of results choose "Refine search" and it will ask for given names and/or service number.


Di

[marquette]

Australian army service records on NAA (http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/BasicSearch.aspx)

This link takes you to the basic search facility for the whole of the NAA site - if anybody knows a way to search just the WW1 army service records, please let us know!


Also the Australian War Memorial website has Honour Rolls, Nominal Rolls and Embarkation Rolls. As well as lots of other information, including I have just found out, they have digitised the Unit Diaries of the RAE (Royal Australian Engineers).

http://www.awm.gov.au/

[kiterunner]

Thanks, Marquette.

[kiterunner]

ICRC Prisoners of the First World War, searchable by name:
http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search

[kiterunner]

WW1 officers' service records searchable in Discovery on TNA; use the Advanced Search and search for reference WO339:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

But not available to view online or download.

[kiterunner]

New Zealand WW1 service records available online:
http://archives.govt.nz/world-war-one

[kiterunner]

1915 Merchant Navy Crew Lists - free (http://1915crewlists.rmg.co.uk/)

[kiterunner]

More FMP databases (previous FMP post is maxed out)

British Jewry Book of Honour (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-jewry-book-of-honour-1914-1920?_ga=1.8294066.1022507498.1439231891)
British Army Deserters and Absentees in Police Gazette 1914-1919 (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-army-deserters-and-absentees-in-police-gazette-1914-1919?_ga=1.246211460.1022507498.1439231891)

[kiterunner]

Scottish Military Appeals Tribunal Records (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=554&2352)