29,525
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Military records at the National Archives
For a list of abbreviations likely to be found in service records, see [[British Army#Army personnel serving after January 1921|Army personnel serving after January 1921, below]].
=====Online records=====
Genealogy websites such as [[findmypast]] and Ancestry, mentioned in the following sections, are pay websites. The basic subscription levels do '''not''' provide access to military records. Findmypast requires at least a Plus level of subscription for military records, while Ancestry requires at least a Premium level of subscription for access to military records, and additionally requires a higher level subscription for access to some military images. Depending where you live you may be able to access such websites for free at a library near you. See [[Miscellaneous tips#Access some subscription websites with a Library Card|Miscellaneous tips - Access some subscription websites with a Library Card]].
Where a record series appears on both findmypast, and Ancestry there may be differences in transcriptions of names which will affect the Search results. If you cannot initially find a record, it is suggested you try searching on both websites, and in addition on FamilySearch, a free website. Details of some of the military records on the latter site may be found under findmypast, below.
A researcher advised that Army service record images on findmypast are usually much better quality and Ancestry's service records may be poorly indexed, however Ancestry has the advantage that you can scroll to the records immediately before and after, which could be relevant.<ref>Wade, Andy. [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/254435-best-research-website/?do=findComment&comment=2573961 Best Research Website] ''Great War Forum'' 17 October 2017. Scroll down for comparative images. Retrieved 23 November 2018.</ref>Another advised that findmypast has a far better search facility.<ref>ss002d6252 [Craig]
<br>These record images are also available through the FamilySearch catalogue, where the individual digitised microfilms may be described: [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1952868 United Kingdom, Chelsea pensioners' service records, 1760-1913 [WO 97<nowiki>]</nowiki>]; [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2345429 United Kingdom, Royal Hospital Chelsea: discharge documents of pensioners 1760-1887 (WO 122) and in addition WO 119, WO 121, WO 131 records]; [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/254431 Probably WO 119, although not stated)]. From these catalogue entries, it is clear that the FamilySearch databases of Index records cover less records than the digital microfilms available through the FamilySearch catalogue. Note however, the digitised microfilms may be selected records only from the particular record series, not the entire National Archives record series.
FamilySearch also contains the collection [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2125045 United Kingdom, World War I service records, 1914-1920] consisting of WO 363 and WO 364 index records and images, see [[. These images are now available on your '''home computer''' (since c 2019/03; previously only viewable at a FamilySearch Centres]] for access details for the imagesCentre or Affiliate Library). A researcher commented that an image of interest for a 'burnt document' record from WO 363 was clearer, and more of the record could be read, on FamilySearch than on Ancestry (see item below).
======Ancestry======
