Researching Military People and Subjects
With the growth of online sources, more people are researching soldiers, sailors and airmen than ever before. Library and Archives Canada has made many categories of records available to historians and genealogists through their website or popular family history platforms, such as Ancestry.ca. But understanding what those records mean and writing the history of a person’s military service require a further exploration of sources.
Below are some links to websites with information that can help you discover a soldier’s story – where they were in battle, how they won a medal, where they fought and even how they died. Some of the links are to sites created by enthusiasts who specialize in this kind of research: forums, databases and step-by-step instruction.
LAC has a number of record groups beyond service files that the public can consult online, including unit war diaries and much more. Visit their site to see how you can expand your knowledge of a person’s war experience – or even just find they were a soldier!
Many Canadians joined British forces during the wars, especially First World War airmen who could only join the Imperial air forces (Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps – later combined to become the RAF). You should start with their excellent collection of research guides that explain what they have and how to find things.
War Websites and Forums
Here are a few of the many sites available online.
CEF Study Group – extensive collection of materials and helpful instructions for finding information. You can also join their forum for free and pose questions to their knowledgeable community of volunteers.
Canadian War Museum – As well as a regular program of exhibits and events, the museum also has a research centre and library.
Canadian Great War Project – One of several sites dedicated to Canada and the Great War.
Great Canadian Paper Trail – A guide to official documents of the First World War
Canadian Navy of Yesterday and Today – a detailed site about the Canadian navy of many eras
Canadian Soldiers – a highly detailed site designed to help researchers find more information on Canadian battles in both wars and peacekeeping missions.
McMaster University Digital Archive – includes excellent high-resolution map collections for WW1 and WW2 and much more.
Great War Forum (UK) – similar to the CEF Study Group but for Imperial forces. They also have a great number of forums on various topics.
Great War Aviation Society – publishers of the quarterly journal Cross and Cockade International, and other projects about First World War flying and flyers of many countries, but principally British.
Forum de la Grande Guerre (France) – French language forum about the Great War.
1914-1914 Online – International Encyclopedia of the First World War, a large collection of online resources.
RAF Commands – a website and active forum of experts on the Second World War in the air, especially the various departments of the RAF’s Bomber, Coastal and Fighter commands.
Rats Alley – a useful book on trench names and locations.
World Naval Ships – an extensive site on navies and ships of many countries.
Regimental Rogue – an eclectic but highly useful site that includes a lengthy guide to doing research along with minute details of force organization, uniforms and more.
… and many, many more revealed in online searches – some good and some not so good
.
Offline Research
Although we’ve come a long way, not everything is online, yet. Library and Archives Canada and the National Archives in the UK have many important record groups in their collections. If a personal visit isn’t possible, there are researchers who will consult specific records for a fee. Some government sites provide a list of them, or you can ask on any of the forums to see who’s out there and able to help for a reasonable price.