Genealogy Chat

Hello Vivien You can find info on all soldiers and wars on the PRO site. I have just given them a ring and booked my readers ticket over the phone. The records I want to look at are on microfilm. So I am very pleased and am looking forward to my trip there. Shirley

Hello Martin Thanks for that info. I did find a little information on my surnames . Shirley

If you get to the search form for PROCAT Enter the surnname in the top field (1) Enter WO under department code or something like WO97 to limit even more. I believe the indexes are not all online but it is worth a try. You still need to either go to the PRO or hire someone if you want the complete record. Martin

Hello Martin Please could you tell me how you found that info from procat? I havent had any luck from it. Maybe my info isn't on it. Did you just type your name in with a date? Thanks Shirley.

This is a sample from PROCAT that I posted in answer to another post. WO 97/1173/210 THOMAS BRISCOE Born DRAIGMORE, Kilkenny Served in Newfoundland Fencibles Discharged aged 28 1804-1812 WO 97/1263/79 BRISCOE SPENCER Born ASHTON, Lancashire Served in Royal Horse Artillery Discharged aged 27 1804-1814 WO 121/5/208 BENJAMIN BRISCOE Born OLDSWINFORD, Worcestershire Served in 2nd Foot Guards Discharged aged 43 after 21 years 9 months of service 1788 WO 121/65/164 PATRICK BRISCOE alias PATRICK BRISCO Born KILTBEGNETT, Roscommon Served in 47th Foot Regiment; 54th Foot Regiment Discharged aged 20 after 3 years of service 1802

You can search some of the index to pension records for that period. Go PROCAT on the PRO WWW site and search on the name and select WO (War Office) files. I think it is WO97 and WO121 but I am guessing. It depends how common the name is but you could be lucky. Martin

There is also an excellent book called Tracing your Ancestors in the Public Record Office by Amanda Bevan - about £16.00 to buy or easily gettable from the library. Its been very helpful to me and is full of usefull info. Sue.

Hello, Just thought I would suggest you do read the PRO website before you go. I am making the trip myself next week and had a quick look at the website. I am very glad I did because I did not know you needed a readers ticket and to receive one of these you have to have proof of identity i.e. a passport or drivers licence. You can possibly book one before you go over the phone and reserve three documents. which will be waiting for you when you arrive (I hope) but they can't guarantee they will be there. The website also tells you what they do not hold. Hope you find this useful. Shirley

I can sympathise Alison,I have the same problem-a visit to kew, two kids in school and a host of other things. it is just a shame that more use is not made of the internet for service records and such like.Mind you,that would just make researching a family tree too easythough !! NOT!!! Good luck!

Alison I have just been told the same, go to Kew. They will not do a search unless it it for ww2. Looks like I will be making a visit! Kim

Hello Alison, I've got the same problem and have been advised to go in person to Kew for the service records -for ww1 you need to search in wo96 and wo97.Best to do is get on the PRO website and read some of the on line leaflets about it .Good luck hunting!

Can anyone tell me how i can find out whether any of my ancestors served in one of the forces during the 1800/1900's. I don't know if anyone did but would be interested to find out. They came from around Colne, lancs and Liverpool. Thanks alison