Tracing military ancestors
This source list gives an introduction to the records available, most of which are held
nationally rather than at local centres. The archives and reference books listed here are held
in the Watt Library which also offers free Internet access to enable you to search online.
Please ask staff for assistance.
General websites
National Archives, Kew
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
This is the major UK repository for military records from the British Army, Royal Navy and
RAF, including colonial and dominion forces. This is your first point of information giving an
overview of what is available, with digitised records on the Documents Online pages. The
website also offers detailed guides to research.
National Archives of Scotland
www.nas.gov.uk
This includes an online guide to military records. The main NAS record of individuals in the
Scottish army before 1707 is the series of muster rolls. Post 1707, official military records
are kept at the National Archives at Kew.
National War Museum of Scotland www.nms.ac.uk/warmuseum
The National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle features uniforms, insignia, medals,
weapons and has a collection of official documents, photographs and diaries.
Imperial War Museum, London www.iwm.org.uk
The Imperial War Museum holds an extensive collection of private diaries, letters, papers,
unpublished memoirs and a series of biographical files on holders of the Victoria Cross and
George Cross. The website has guides to tracing ancestry in the Royal navy, RFC and RAF.
Wartime Records – www.forces-war-records.co.uk
A definitive location for military records from WW1, WW2, Boer War, Crimean War and back
to 1630.
Ancestry – www.ancestry.co.uk and www.findmypast.com
Two commercial subscription/pay as you view sites that host a substantial collection of
military databases ranging from WW1 records to listings of Scottish soldiers in Colonial
America. Ancestry is available free of charge through Inverclyde Libraries’ 24/7 Library, but
only from public computers in our libraries:
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/libraries/e-library/ancestrylibrary
Army Records
Websites
National Army Museum – www.national-army-museum.ac.uk
Covers military history of the British Army, Indian and Colonial forces prior to independence,
with regimental histories, military biographies, etc. Online guide to researching a soldier’s
military career.
Army Museums Ogilby Trust
www.armymuseums.org.uk
Guide to the regimental and corps museums of the British Army throughout the UK, with an
online guide to military ancestor research.
India Office www.bl.uk/collections/oiocfamilyhistory/familymilitary.html
The British Library website includes a section on India office papers relating to army officers
and soldiers from the early 17th century.
Books in Watt Library
Paterson, Sarah (ed.) Tracing your family history : army (imperial War Museum, 2006)
Spencer, William First World War army service records : a guide for family historians
(4th ed. National Archives, 2008)
Fowler, Simon Tracing your First World War ancestors : a guide for family historians
(Pen & Sword, 2013)
Royle, Trevor The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders ; a concise history (Mainstream, 2008)
Naval records
Websites
Naval biographical database – www.navylist.org
Information on individuals associated with the Royal Navy. Currently covers the period 160mid-19th century.
Modern Navy www.royalnavy.mod.uk
The official Royal Navy website
Books in Watt Library
Dobson, David Scottish maritime records, 1600-1850 : a guide for family historians (D.
Dobson, 1997)
Fowler, Simon Tracing your naval ancestors : a guide for family historians (Pen & Sword,
2011)
Air Force Records
Websites
Fleet Air Arm Museum www.faam.org.uk
For information on archives, aircraft and artefacts connected with British naval aviation
Royal Air Force Museum www.rafmuseum.org.uk
The library and archive collection holds a wide range of material relating to personnel.
Books in Watt Library
Wootton, Angela Tracing your family history : Royal Air Force (Imperial war Museum, 2006)
Spencer, William Air Force records for family historians (Public Record Office, 2000)
War memorials and rolls of honour
Websites
Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org
The starting point for tracing a wartime casualty. The Debt of Honour Register offers a free
search facility, with details of the scene of war and place of burial.
Post 1945 Memorial www.forcesmemorial.org.uk
The first national memorial dedicated to members of the armed services killed on duty since
the Second World war. The website has a search facility with information up to 31 December
2006.
Scottish War Memorial www.snwm.org
Provides an online search of the Scottish Roll of Honour held at the Scottish War Memorial
at Edinburgh Castle.
War memorials www.roll-of-honour.com
Covers war memorials across Britain, including regiments, airfields and airbases
Inverclyde Libraries Website
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/libraries/local-and-familyhistory/family-history/
The Family History pages of the Inverclyde Libraries website includes listings of war dead:
Intimations II - The Watt Library Births, Marriages and Deaths index often lists the causes of death in
the entries. On this page we have selected the major causes of death in the period 1800 to 1915
where they are considered to be out ot the ordinary, such as death by epidemic disease, murder,
drownings, suicides and murders. We also list military deaths (including Army, Navy and Air Force
casualties).
Kilmacolm Roll of Service 1914-1918
War Dead : Greenock WW1 and WW2