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Forces War Records

If you are searching for ancestors who served in the British Military Forces, you may want to check out Forces War Records; a new genealogy site that looks to be one of the best-organized search sites of its kind on the net.

 

 

 

Forces War Records has over four million records for British Armed Forces personnel.

However, what makes this site special for family tree researchers is its search system.   The records are cross-matched with bases, and regiments as well as Ships of the British Armed Forces, providing a usage that is easy to apply, accurate and time saving.

The Records Include
World War One World War Two Crimean War Databases Boer War Databases African Wars Databases Indian Mutiny Databases Napoleonic Wars Databases Medal Rolls	Individual Battle Data Other Wars Casualty Lists Prisoner of War Records Royal Marines Databases Fighter and Bomber Command Losses Fleet Air Arm Data RFC/RAF List RN Losses
Shot at Dawn Database and more !!!

 

The site has many cool features including:

•   A free search for WWII POWs with information that lists

• Name
• Rank
• Service Number
• Regiment
•  POW number
• Camp type/number and location plus notes.

•      A free medieval search with  search tips
•       A community forum
•       Tutorials
•      A “Memories” section where you can record your own or read stories left by other members.
•      Genes Magazine: an online journal that gives access to How to and historical articles.

Some other aspects of the site include the ability to save your searches and bookmark pages to your profile. Of course, registration is required to use the site and there is a reasonable fee for full access to records. Although the fees are reasonable, prospective users should be aware that they are in pounds sterling.

 Before you get started on your search at Forces War Records, be sure to download Genealogy Beginners Military Research Tracking Form, available with your 30-day free trial membership.

 

Genealogy Scams and Red Flags

With the growing popularity of genealogy and family history, it is easy to find hundreds of internet sites dedicated to the subject; from sites claiming to have huge databases to others that promise to contain information relevant and specific to your family tree, surname or coat of arms.

Beginning Genealogists should be aware that not every genealogy site is as good as the claims they make.

Genealogy Scams

While a great deal of family tree sites are trustworthy, newcomers to genealogy can sometimes fall prey to less reputable sites that exist to take your money and offer you zero results or results you could have found for free.  Additionally family tree research novices should beware of “genealogy sites” that exist for the sole intention of gathering your personal information for the purpose of email marketing or worse…identity theft.

Before you enter your details for any family tree site, research the site to see what they are claiming to offer.

A reputable genealogy site will:

• List exactly the information, records and databases you can access once you have signed up
• State the locations and periods for which records are available
• State the source of the records or information they hold

Top Three Genealogy Site Red Flags:

#1. A site that makes generalized claims such as “Largest Genealogy Database”, “Millions of Names Free”, “Your Family Story” or simpler claims to “marriage or birth records” without any detail provided…should be avoided.

#2.  Your “Free Search” results are ambiguous. For example, a search return that says they have found X-number of results on the name you entered without details. A good test of this kind of result is to type in a nonsense name such as Harry I. Balls or Jemima Pancakes to see how many results you get.

#3. A site that only provides an online contact form and does not list contact information such as a telephone number or address is not a good bet.  A site without customer service is an absolute no go.

Although there are no 100%, fail-safes as these sites tend to come and go rather quickly. Following the above mentioned simple precautions may help you spot Red flags and make adding those names to your family template a safe and enjoyable experience.