RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: scotmum on Sunday 02 November 08 11:29 GMT (UK)

Title: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: scotmum on Sunday 02 November 08 11:29 GMT (UK)
As it says, Ancestry are giving FREE access to British WW1 Records/Medal Cards for month. No debit/credit card details required.

Read details of this at:

http://scottishancestry.blogspot.com/2008/09/free-access-to-ancestrys-military.html

Hope this helps some folks (ps I've had a look and some records even contain Marriage details and Birth details of children).
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lynne EnZed on Monday 03 November 08 14:53 GMT (UK)
Thank you!  :D

Kind regards and God bless you,
Lynne x

----------------------
You matter to God!
----------------------
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Thursday 06 November 08 11:56 GMT (UK)
I went to Ancestry for a free look-up of War Records.  Response - nothing even though I have all info Name, Service No.etc. Does anyone know if Ancestry has got to the  M's yet for Service Records and Burnt Series?
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Thursday 06 November 08 12:00 GMT (UK)
Hi,

I emailed ancestry a few days ago about the service records. So far surnames A-H are online. They hope to publish I-Q by mid-november. The remaining records will go online early 2009. Until then we only have medal cards and the pension records for surnames I-Z. I'm wanting S to be published as two of my great-grandfathers were Stock and Smith.

Hope that helps.

Paula
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Thursday 06 November 08 12:21 GMT (UK)
Thank you
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Elton on Saturday 08 November 08 12:06 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Thanks for that information,found a Great Uncle,but can't find My Grandfather Appleby anywhere.

Regards
Janice
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: kerryb on Saturday 08 November 08 12:10 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the above Paula, that explains why I can't find my great grandad - Albert Terry  ::) ;D

Kerry
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Saturday 08 November 08 12:21 GMT (UK)
Apparently I-Q are now online.

Paula
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Saturday 08 November 08 20:13 GMT (UK)
I still cannot get Service Records for Ernest Mills RASC even though his Medal Roll comes up instantly. Has anyone had luck in getting Service Records on Free Ancestry for the M's?
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Saturday 08 November 08 21:31 GMT (UK)
Without knowing your knowledge of the service records, and stating the obvious, are you aware that only about 40% of the WW1 service records survive. Apparently a lot of them went up in flames during a WW2 bomb where they were stored. So you may not find the records of people even if you can find them in the medal rolls (which are complete/near complete).
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Saturday 08 November 08 21:34 GMT (UK)
Oh, and i've just noticed the info under the search engine has now changed to saying it contains A-N surnames (it said A-Q a couple of days ago.)
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Saturday 08 November 08 21:40 GMT (UK)
Yes, I do know about the "Burnt Series" and thought the FREE Ancestry would be a good opportunity to check if they were there. Thank  you
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: scotmum on Wednesday 12 November 08 18:08 GMT (UK)
Just realised, the USA WW1 Draft Registration cards also seem to be free to view this month.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Thursday 13 November 08 16:28 GMT (UK)
I only seem to get 5 names  (1 page) for Personnel Records under the Mills.  Is that usual and if so can anyone tell me how to get more?  Thank you
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Thursday 13 November 08 16:57 GMT (UK)
I only seem to get 5 names (1 page) for Personnel Records under the Mills. Is that usual and if so can anyone tell me how to get more? Thank you


Don't know what's going on there. When i put Mills in to the service records search engine i get 2,295 records come up and 94 with Ernest Mills. They might have just completed the M's.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Thursday 13 November 08 17:00 GMT (UK)
I will try again.  Are you using Free Ancestry or do you have a subscription? Thank you
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Thursday 13 November 08 17:01 GMT (UK)
After posting i realised you said you couldn't find Mills in the free ancestry, I've got a subscription but don't mind doing the look up for you if you give me a little bit of info.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Thursday 13 November 08 17:05 GMT (UK)
Ernest Mills RASC M2/054610. Service in France 17.4.15 - 27.6.19. Thank you so much for your kind offer.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Thursday 13 November 08 23:24 GMT (UK)
There is only one Ernest that matches RASC regiment. None match the regiment number.

He is: Ernest Willie Mills born about 1884,  living in Plaistow. Next of kin: father, William Mills of Suffolk.

Is this likely to be your Ernest?

Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Friday 14 November 08 10:49 GMT (UK)
No, that is one of the five I got on Free Ancestry.  His middle name that he did not use was Sydney.  I don't know how much the M's may be in the "Burnt Series" I cannot think of any other reason that he cannot be found.  Thank you for trying.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Friday 14 November 08 11:29 GMT (UK)
I can only presume that his records were destroyed during the WW2 bombing raids. Unless Ancestry has misclassified them, ie. read the incorrect regiment.

I could search through the other Ernest Mills records just incase he was also attached to another regiment - my great great uncle was transferred between 3 regiments during the war.

Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Friday 14 November 08 12:35 GMT (UK)
I think you may be right re "Burnt Series". You say so many Mills turned up I was hoping he would be amongst them.  He was a lorry driver in France and I really would have liked to know what battle/area  he fought in.  On his Medal Roll Card it lists his Regiment as ASC and on his Discharge he was listed as RASC but I believe it is  the same London, Middx. Regiment. 
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Friday 14 November 08 12:37 GMT (UK)
ASC is the Army Service Corps.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Lookin2 on Friday 14 November 08 12:43 GMT (UK)
Yes, thought so. Do you know if the "Burnt Series" are listed under a separate heading/file?
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: TSB on Saturday 15 November 08 12:07 GMT (UK)
i am trying to find james crompton army records it comes up no match found  can you help?
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: paulalou on Sunday 16 November 08 01:12 GMT (UK)
i am trying to find james crompton army records it comes up no match found can you help?

There are service records for 42 James Cromptons and pension records for 12.

I'd need some more information such as one of a possible middle name, date of birth, regiment, regimnet number etc.
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: TSB on Sunday 16 November 08 09:13 GMT (UK)
paulalou
thank you for your help.
james crompton born 1885 died 3 september.1916.
26238  20th bn manchester regiment
hope this info helps
                              tsb
                                                                             
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Elton on Sunday 16 November 08 15:43 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Can anyone help please I have searched these records and can't find,John Francis Appleby born 29.7.1894 Athlone Ireland (while British Father was in the Army)he died in 1945 aged 50 yrs of his war wounds (so I was told)On his marriage Certificate it has Ex Bombardier R F A  (Royal Field Artillery) He was married and died in Nottingham.
Regards
Janice
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: jcjeffe on Sunday 23 November 08 14:05 GMT (UK)
I was dissapointed about the lack of any details about my grandfather's service while in France as a Sapper. There seems to be two copies of his service record on Ancestry with slightly different info in each. Apart from two periods of leave his entire service in France is covered by the entry:- BEF France 25/2/17 to 25/4/19. Am I correct in thinking that the units Diary is the only place I may find out more details of the worh his unit did.

Chris Jefferies
Title: Re: FREE for November - British WW1 Records on Ancestry
Post by: Paul Shelton on Sunday 29 January 12 18:39 GMT (UK)
TSB

James Crompton was my Great Great Grandfather.?

Do you want to share information?