Depends which country you are in, but here in Australia, the National Archives of Australia (NAA), have digitised all (there may be a few exceptions) WWI army records, and the majority of those from WWII. If they have not yet been digitised, then you can pay a small amount, and wait a long time, and they will eventually be available. The records begin from the day they joined, to the day they were discharged and include all movements betweens regiments and units, all medical info, and includes such gems as their hair and eye colour, chest measurements, height and any identifying marks such as scars, and much, much more… all for free!. An absolute mine of information
The first one is Ancestry.com and the reason is that is where I begin all research. I have to say, for me thus far, military research has not been a strong area of pursuit. I do use Footnote.com and state archives, but I have not yet spent much time mining military records [I have found some pension files, etc. but it's been more serendipitous than diligent effort]. Consequently, I look forward to others' responses, including yours.
Yes, Russ, that should give you a clue how long I've been working with that website since that's the name that surfaces to my mind rather than their current name.
I go to Ancestry first (that is where I always start) then I go to Fold3. I have done some military research and for my one Civil War ancestor and it was a lot of looking but I was happy in the end when I found him!
Ancestry is my only paid account so I use that first. I first use the general search, get frustrated and then remember the card catalog. I then use it. I did use Fold3 recently as they had some free days for Revolutionary War. I also use DAR website for Revolutionary War. Then I do a search, which has resulted in little.I do a google search and family search sites. I live in IL and know that the Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield has a lot of Civil War, but I haven't accessed that yet.
Since I use Ancestry, FamilySearch and NEHGS (AmericanAncestors.org) as my main search engines, I start there, next specific to military is Fold3, then DAR (since I'm more recently tracking down 20+ Rev War Patriots). Have used GenealogyBank.com newspapers for ancillary data to round out my information (but not as a primary source usually.)
Depends which country you are in, but here in Australia, the National Archives of Australia (NAA), have digitised all (there may be a few exceptions) WWI army records, and the majority of those from WWII. If they have not yet been digitised, then you can pay a small amount, and wait a long time, and they will eventually be available. The records begin from the day they joined, to the day they were discharged and include all movements betweens regiments and units, all medical info, and includes such gems as their hair and eye colour, chest measurements, height and any identifying marks such as scars, and much, much more… all for free!. An absolute mine of information
ReplyDeleteMagnus Sälgö
ReplyDeleteActually your "pay for that info" is one of the reasons I posted this question.
My two 4 Military research websites, 2 are for a fee, 2 are FREE. Actually, if I added a 5th website, it is also free.
Thank you for your Swedish repositories.
Russ
The first one is Ancestry.com and the reason is that is where I begin all research. I have to say, for me thus far, military research has not been a strong area of pursuit. I do use Footnote.com and state archives, but I have not yet spent much time mining military records [I have found some pension files, etc. but it's been more serendipitous than diligent effort]. Consequently, I look forward to others' responses, including yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna Willis Brown
ReplyDeleteDonna Willis Brown
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, when you said "Footnote.com" do you really mean Fold3.com ??
Russ
Yes, Russ, that should give you a clue how long I've been working with that website since that's the name that surfaces to my mind rather than their current name.
ReplyDeleteRuss Worthington What about you?
ReplyDeleteKim Hanks - My plan is to let the questions sit for a week, then do a blog post about what I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Russ
I go to Ancestry first (that is where I always start) then I go to Fold3. I have done some military research and for my one Civil War ancestor and it was a lot of looking but I was happy in the end when I found him!
ReplyDeleteShannon Thomas
ReplyDeleteGreat and congratulations.
Thank you,
Russ
Ancestry is my only paid account so I use that first. I first use the general search, get frustrated and then remember the card catalog. I then use it. I did use Fold3 recently as they had some free days for Revolutionary War. I also use DAR website for Revolutionary War. Then I do a search, which has resulted in little.I do a google search and family search sites. I live in IL and know that the Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield has a lot of Civil War, but I haven't accessed that yet.
ReplyDeleteKim Hanks
ReplyDeleteGreat thank you.
I think you have just put another question on my Question of the Day list.
I think we forget about the Card Catalog on Ancestry and FamilySearch.
Russ
I use Ancestry.com as that is my only paid site. I plan to visit my local Heritage Center and State Archives as they are both with in a short drive.
ReplyDeleteNancy Curtis Holt
ReplyDeleteGreat. Thank you for your response.
Russ
Since I use Ancestry, FamilySearch and NEHGS (AmericanAncestors.org) as my main search engines, I start there, next specific to military is Fold3, then DAR (since I'm more recently tracking down 20+ Rev War Patriots). Have used GenealogyBank.com newspapers for ancillary data to round out my information (but not as a primary source usually.)
ReplyDeleteBruce Cortis
ReplyDeleteGreat list of military resources.
Thank you,
Russ