Talk:England Military Records

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Introduction

Military Records identify individuals who served in the British military. They can be of great genealogical value and may provide information not found elsewhere. Military records may give:

Name. Name of regiment served in or ship served on. Dates of service. Date and place of birth. Names of parents. Names of spouse and children. Dates and places of marriage and children's births or baptisms. Age at a specific date in time. Occupation at time of enlistment. Date of death if it occurred during service.

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What You Are Looking For

You are looking for information about military records.

FindMyPast has many records for England, Ireland, Wales. It is free at family history centers.

The Genealogist another free website at family history centers, also has many United Kindom indexes. Return to top of page

Steps

These three steps will guide you to find information about British military records.

Step 1. Determine the branch of the military in which your ancestor served.

If you do not know the branch of the military in which your ancestor served, you may be able to find that information by looking in:

Family records. Biographies. Census records. Probate records. Civil registration records. Church records.

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Step 2. Follow the links for information about military records.

For brief information about military records, see Background.

For more detailed information about the records of various branches of the military, follow these links to Public Record Office information leaflets:

ARMY RECORDS

Army: Officers' Records 1660-1913 Medieval and Early Modern Soldiers: Military Recruitment and Service Army Other Ranks: Finding the Regiment Army: Soldiers' Pension Records, 1702-1913 Army: Soldiers' Discharge Papers, 1760-1913 Army: Muster Rolls and Pay Lists, c1730-1898 Army: Nurses

The Federation of Family History Societies also provides a leaflet titled In Search of your Soldier Ancestors.

NAVY RECORDS

Royal Navy: Officers' Service Records Royal Navy: Ratings' Records 1667-1923 Royal Navy: Ratings Entering Service Between 1873 and 1923 Royal Navy: Nurses Royal Navy Pension Records

ROYAL MARINES

Royal Marines: Officers' Service Records Royal Marines: How to Find a Division Royal Marines: Other Ranks' Service Records

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Royal Air Force Records: Tracing an Individual Royal Air Force: Airmen's Service Records Royal Air Force: Nurses Royal Air Force Pension Records

MILITIA

The Militia 1757-1914 Tudor and Stuart Local Soldiery: Militia Muster Rolls

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Step 3: Find the records.

For information on finding military records, see Where to Find It.