My first visit is always to the National Archives of Australia website, which provides a myriad of useful information. The enlistment papers show the full name, service number, age, parent/s, place of birth, residence, religion, occupation and most importantly to me, a physical description and signature, which are often not available elsewhere. You will also find service records, medical history, any medals received and sometimes a photo.
Read everything carefully as you never know what you will find. The letter below led me on a new direction of research. You will note that the letter is signed by Amy Richardson, giving permission for her son, Roy Weir, to enlist.
 |
| Source: www.naa.gov.au Click to Enlarge |
" Nhill
9th July 1915
I Amy Richardson being the mother of Roy Weir do hereby consent to his volunteering for active service with the Australian Imperial Forces.
Amy Richardson
I certify that my father is dead and that above is my mothers signature
Roy Weir"
It was this letter that led me to discover that Amy had married John Richardson after the death of her husband, James Weir. In records in the following year, she was signing "Amy Weir" again. Why? It turned out that John Richardson was already married when he married Amy so the marriage was soon annulled! I wouldn't have discovered this, except for the above letter.
The sister site, Mapping Our Anzacs, allows you to add photos and tributes to your ancestors, once you have created an account.
The Australian War Memorial website is also a great source of information; too much for me to mention here. The search function is excellent but you really need to browse all the tabs and menus to get the most out of the website as there is so much available.
The letters below, which were located on the Australian War Memorial website, told me more about the death of my Great Grand Uncle, Henry "Harry" Mottram.
" He was a fine soldier and never knew what fear was"
 |
| Source: www.awm.gov.au Click to enlarge |
 |
| Source: www.awm.gov.au Click to enlarge |
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website provides information on those who died in battle and where they are buried, including grave/memorial reference. There are also details and photos of the cemeteries and maps showing the layout, to make it easier should you plan to visit. It also provides the ability to print a commemorative certificate for your records, which often includes the name of parents and residence.
 |
| Search result from www.cwgc.org Click to enlarge |
 |
| Source: www.cwgc.org |
Certificates for World War 2 service can be printed at the World War 2 Nominal Roll website.
 |
| Click to enlarge source: www.ww2roll.gov.au |
ANZACS online is "an online military museum which displays photographs, diaries and letters, relating to the many Australians who served in the Australian Infantry Force during WWI".
I urge people to submit copies of their photos and memorabilia to ANZACS online so your ancestors can be remembered and to help other family members who may be researching them.
There are so many great websites for researching your ancestors who served in the Defense Force. I have listed that sites the I have bookmarked. Have fun and Happy hunting!
AIF Project - http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/index.html
ANZACS Online - http://anzacsonline.net.au/
Australian Government Military History - http://australia.gov.au/
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/fhu/military.html
Australian War Graves - http://www.australianwargraves.org/home/w1/i2/
Australian War Memorial - http://www.awm.gov.au/
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - http://www.cwgc.org/
Defence Honours and Awards - http://www.defence.gov.au/MEDALS/
Department of Veteran Affairs - http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/nominal_rolls/Pages/index.aspx?
Don't forget the Diggers - http://www.dontforgetthediggers.com.au/photo_archive.asp
Flotilla Australia (war ships) - http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmat2.htm
National Archives of Australia - http://www.naa.gov.au/
Mapping our ANZACS - http://mappingouranzacs.naa.gov.au
War Memorial records search - http://australia.gov.au/
World War 2 Nominal Roll - http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/
 |
| Click image for more posts |
What a great surprise to come across this blog. My father has just been researching his family history, in particular his father's experience in WW2 and it is simply fascinating what can be found via the internet these days. I'll be following the rest of your A to Z blogs with interest!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mydestinationunknown.com
A to Z Participant
Thank you Kellie. I am enjoying your posts also as travel and photography are my other favourite past times (which also fit in very with with genealogy).
DeleteYou are giving me so many ideas on where to find info on my family. We just discovered that an uncle was listed as a step-son on an old census here and we had no idea. More work to do. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere is always more to do when researching your family history! That is what makes it so enjoyable and challenging :)
DeleteI'm working on researching my dad's family. I had no idea how many sources are available, if only we know where to look!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your research Dana.
DeleteThe internet has certainly made research a lot easier but there are so many records out there that are not yet on the internet.
Very interesting! Old records are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think so too! They can tell you so much.
DeleteWhat an incredible set of resources.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, I find defense records to be very comprehensive.
DeleteThe physical descriptions are so cool: "fair, chest shaven, 5ft2…" Great post.
ReplyDeleteChontali Kirk
chontalikirk.blogspot.com
You made me laugh. "Chest Shaven"? I had to go back and read the record... it's "clean shaven"
DeleteYes, the physical descriptions really help to give you a real picture of ancestors
Oh, sorry! lol
DeleteI'm also an ancestry devotee when not writing. I've aslo found some very interesting things about my grandfather from War Records (WW1) that I would never have known about him. I'm Scottish and the official B/D/M records from the late 1860s have a wealth of information. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI have one "branch" of the family which is Scottish and I found some very interesting information from the BDM records...like the couple who both died from alcohol related issues!
DeleteThis is a good lesson. Sometimes we THINK we know a story and therefore don't need a copy of a record for proof. But your experience shows there might be another story lurking beneath the surface.
ReplyDeleteToo true :)
DeleteWe are very fortunate that Australian records tend to be very informative, except of course census records which were all destroyed.
I always like finding the physical descriptions in the WW1 and WW2 draft registration in the US too.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen any US records. I hope that they are as comprehensive as Australia.
DeleteI don't know nearly as much about my family history as I should! There are a few dead ends because of a name change by a guy who was possibly fleeing the law, so that kind of thwarts the journey back through time ;)
ReplyDeleteThat would make it very hard Trisha.
DeleteBut how interesting to have a law breaker as you are likely to find information about him. Watch out for my T post :)