Family History - Your Local, Wiltshire or Nationwide

There are some 136 Army Museums and they are as varied and individual as the regiments they represent. The Army Museums' collections provide valuable insights into the great events of our military history and also illustrate the close links that have existed and continue to flourish between regiments and their local communities. As well as listing the museums, the Trust's website has a Research Section.

Most regiments will have an Association or History Society.  Search the MOD website.

Extensive military collection will help you to locate your ancestors who served in World War One and World War Two. You can also search a range of historical lists and roll calls, including records for the Battle of Waterloo, as well as army BMDs (not found in the civil indexes).

Search for colleagues who served at the same time as you or your family member to see if they have memories, photographs or records that could help you.

IWM is a family of five museums: IWM London; IWM North in Trafford, Greater Manchester; IWM Duxford near Cambridge; the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall, London; and the historic ship HMS Belfast, moored in the Pool of London on the River Thames.

The Museum Archive manages IWM’s own administrative records, which date back to its foundation in 1917. Researchers may consult these records in the IWM London Research Room. IWM's records are public records and are generally available for research. However, some records containing personal information may have access restrictions in line with the Data Protection Act. Other, more recent, material may be subject to exemptions outlined in the Freedom of Information Act.

The India Office Records are the repository of the archives of the East India Company (1600-1858), the Board of Control or Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India (1784-1858), the India Office (1858-1947), the Burma Office (1937-1948), and a number of related British agencies overseas.  The India Office Records are administered by The British Library as part of the Public Records of the United Kingdom, and are open for public consultation.

Holds list of all known Second World War prisoners of war and internees of all nationalities.

Royal British Legion - iIf you have lost touch with someone from your time in the Armed Forces or are trying to locate old friends of you or your family, you can place an entry in RBLs Lost Trails and it will be available to the whole of the world via the web.

The Army Museums Ogilvy Trust offers advice on how to search for Army ancestors and to research into your family history and military genealogy.

The MOD Medal Office is the sole authority for the issue of medals authorised by Her Majesty to British service personnel and veterans. Th tri-service MOD Medal Office is based at Imjin Barracks, Innsworth.

Search for military personnel

The National Army Museum’s study collection reflects the rich history and traditions of the British Army. Researchers can access this collection and advice on carrying out genealogical research and curatorial assistance in identifying and interpreting military artefacts is also available.

Original documents from ther archive and books from ther extensive library can be consulted in the reading room at RAF Museum London. They can provide help and advice to enquirers by post, email and telephone, but are unable to undertake detailed research on your behalf.

The Museum's research collections comprise all of the Library and manuscript collections, including that part of the Admiralty Library that was moved to Portsmouth in 1997. Images from these collections can be supplied for use in publication or private research. The Library also operates the Museum's Information Service and will reply to enquiries using these collections. A wide range of ready-prepared information sources are available and can be accessed on-line.

Search for old service friends and colleagues

The Museum does not hold any service records on individuals as these are still maintained by the Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) of each regiment. Regimental photographs are also held by the RHQs. All five RHQs are based in Wellington Barracks, London - click the link for further information.

UKMFH aims to help you find out the history of your military family by linking to web sites that have online information which will help you discover what your families did and how they lived in their military life. Muster rolls, discharge papers, pension records are all valuable sources of information which can help you complete your family tree – many are now listed under UKMFH's menus along with a whole range of other types of records.

People seek Service records for a variety of reasons, some to acquire their own Service/medical records and some in connection with the growing interest in family history. Whatever the reason, obtaining copies can be a surprisingly straightforward process. The process differs, depending on whether you are requesting your own records, if you are the next of kin of a deceased Service person or if you simply have a general interest in an individual.