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'''1775–1783:''' American Revolutionary War. The British army had 135,000 men in North America when fighting broke out. Some men remained in Canada after the war, but most returned to Britain. Records of Loyalists and others who remained in Canada are separate from other military records. | '''1775–1783:''' American Revolutionary War. The British army had 135,000 men in North America when fighting broke out. Some men remained in Canada after the war, but most returned to Britain. Records of Loyalists and others who remained in Canada are separate from other military records. | ||
Muster rolls for British Forces in the United States during the Revolutionary war are part of the British military records, "C" series, 1757-1899. They are microfilmed and held at the {{FSC|397529|item|disp= | Muster rolls for British Forces in the United States during the Revolutionary war are part of the British military records, "C" series, 1757-1899. They are microfilmed and held at the {{FSC|397529|item|disp=FamilySearch Library 928940-948947 and 1631540-1631549.}} | ||
=== Napoleonic Wars === | === Napoleonic Wars === | ||
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Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service | Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service | ||
The Navy Official List books, available from 1673, give ports of call for ships during each year. Some of these lists are available in the | The Navy Official List books, available from 1673, give ports of call for ships during each year. Some of these lists are available in the FamilySearch Library. | ||
Seamen often moved between the navy and the merchant marines. Until 1853 enlistment was informal and lasted for the ship’s commission, usually three years. Individual "ratings" (seamen) were not mentioned in navy records other than musters or pay lists unless they deserted, misbehaved, or earned a medal. After 1853 seamen often made the navy their career. They were assigned continuous service numbers and records were maintained for the duration of their careers. | Seamen often moved between the navy and the merchant marines. Until 1853 enlistment was informal and lasted for the ship’s commission, usually three years. Individual "ratings" (seamen) were not mentioned in navy records other than musters or pay lists unless they deserted, misbehaved, or earned a medal. After 1853 seamen often made the navy their career. They were assigned continuous service numbers and records were maintained for the duration of their careers. | ||
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The Royal marines originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-marines-service-records-1842-1925/ Royal Marine Service records, 1842 -1926] can be accessed online via The National Archives. | The Royal marines originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-marines-service-records-1842-1925/ Royal Marine Service records, 1842 -1926] can be accessed online via The National Archives. | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog-search-api%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F562222 Royal Marine Attestation papers ]on microfilm for the following divisions: | ||
Chatham Division, 1790-1883 | Chatham Division, 1790-1883 | ||
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The files are arranged alphabetically, but many documents are missing. Therefore, you will not find every soldier in these files. | The files are arranged alphabetically, but many documents are missing. Therefore, you will not find every soldier in these files. | ||
The original files are at the Public Record Office in England. The | The original files are at the Public Record Office in England. The FamilySearch Library has microfilmed copies, which are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under: | ||
'''GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY - WORLD WAR, 1914-1918''' | '''GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY - WORLD WAR, 1914-1918''' | ||
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Ancestry.co.uk also offers a searchable database of those listed in ''Soldiers Died in the Great War'' as part of its subscription service. | Ancestry.co.uk also offers a searchable database of those listed in ''Soldiers Died in the Great War'' as part of its subscription service. | ||
''The War Dead of the British Commonwealth and Empire''. London, England: Imperial War Graves Commission, 1957. ( | ''The War Dead of the British Commonwealth and Empire''. London, England: Imperial War Graves Commission, 1957. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|942 M2wdf|disp=942 M2wdf}}; film {{FSC|1441037|film|disp=1441037}}.) This work gives the name, rank, regiment, and grave location of casualites buried in France during '''World War II'''. | ||
Post-WW2 casualties can be found listed at the [https://www.gov.uk/search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour Armed Forces Memorial] website. | Post-WW2 casualties can be found listed at the [https://www.gov.uk/search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour Armed Forces Memorial] website. | ||
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Widow’s or children’s pension records often include marriage or baptismal certificates in support of the claim for assistance. | Widow’s or children’s pension records often include marriage or baptismal certificates in support of the claim for assistance. | ||
There are many other pension-related records among those of the Paymaster General (Class PMG) at the Public Record Office. The | There are many other pension-related records among those of the Paymaster General (Class PMG) at the Public Record Office. The FamilySearch Library also has some pension records. | ||
=== Description Books === | === Description Books === | ||
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In 1806 the War Office compiled the first return of service, listing all men in the army. The scope, content, and frequency of returns of service vary greatly. Returns of officers’ service tend to be more complete, including the names of the officer and his wife and children; birth and marriage dates and places; and a complete summary of stations, regiments, and promotions. | In 1806 the War Office compiled the first return of service, listing all men in the army. The scope, content, and frequency of returns of service vary greatly. Returns of officers’ service tend to be more complete, including the names of the officer and his wife and children; birth and marriage dates and places; and a complete summary of stations, regiments, and promotions. | ||
The returns of officers services for 1828 and 1829 have been transcribed and are found at the | The returns of officers services for 1828 and 1829 have been transcribed and are found at the FamilySearch Library. The 1828 return was for active duty officers only, while the 1829 return was for both active and half-pay (retired) officers. These records have the National Archives designation of WO 25. Two sets of books serve as a rough "index" to the original returns of service for 1828 and 1829. They only list officers who had children and they are in the same order as the names appear in the original returns (grouped by first three letters of the surname). The two sets of several volumes are: | ||
''Children of Officers on Full or Half-pay, 1828''. Bound manuscript. N.p., n.d. (FS Library book {{FSC|942 M23ber|disp=942 M23ber}}.) | ''Children of Officers on Full or Half-pay, 1828''. Bound manuscript. N.p., n.d. (FS Library book {{FSC|942 M23ber|disp=942 M23ber}}.) | ||
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An index to these records is available as part of the [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Discovery] of the National Archives of the UK. You may enter the name of a soldier in the 'Word or phrase' field and the 'Department or series code' of WO (for War Office) 97. See [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ National Archives] for further information. | An index to these records is available as part of the [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Discovery] of the National Archives of the UK. You may enter the name of a soldier in the 'Word or phrase' field and the 'Department or series code' of WO (for War Office) 97. See [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ National Archives] for further information. | ||
At the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/732111 | At the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/732111 FamilySearch Library] the records are on microfilm and arranged by regiment. These records have been digitised and are available online via [[findmypast.co.uk]]. There are also searchable on [[United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|FamilySearch.org]] | ||
It was possible to have a qualified pension commuted to allow a soldier to immigrate to British colonies. A list of those who did, between the years 1830-1839, is found online at [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/chelseab.htm TheShipsList.com]. | It was possible to have a qualified pension commuted to allow a soldier to immigrate to British colonies. A list of those who did, between the years 1830-1839, is found online at [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/chelseab.htm TheShipsList.com]. | ||
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=== Chaplains’ Returns === | === Chaplains’ Returns === | ||
Army chaplains throughout the British Empire kept records that list the baptisms, marriages, and burials of officers, soldiers, and their families. These returns (from 1760 to 1971) are indexed and are available by correspondence from the Office of National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). Indexes for {{FSC|731507|title-id|disp=births 1796–1880}}, for {{FSC|732266|title-id|disp=marriages 1796–1955}}, and for {{FSC|720239|title-id|disp=deaths 1786–1880}}, are available on microfiche at the | Army chaplains throughout the British Empire kept records that list the baptisms, marriages, and burials of officers, soldiers, and their families. These returns (from 1760 to 1971) are indexed and are available by correspondence from the Office of National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). Indexes for {{FSC|731507|title-id|disp=births 1796–1880}}, for {{FSC|732266|title-id|disp=marriages 1796–1955}}, and for {{FSC|720239|title-id|disp=deaths 1786–1880}}, are available on microfiche at the FamilySearch Library. | ||
=== Regimental Registers === | === Regimental Registers === | ||
Regiments kept birth, marriage, and death records for officers and men. Births and baptisms are indexed. These records (1790–1924) are available by correspondence from the Office of National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). The indexes are available on microfiche at the {{FSC|732111|title-id|disp= | Regiments kept birth, marriage, and death records for officers and men. Births and baptisms are indexed. These records (1790–1924) are available by correspondence from the Office of National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). The indexes are available on microfiche at the {{FSC|732111|title-id|disp=FamilySearch Library}}. | ||
=== Records of Service. === | === Records of Service. === | ||
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*Fencibles were army units raised for home service only. Fencibles were usually classed with the militia, and records are kept with militia records. | *Fencibles were army units raised for home service only. Fencibles were usually classed with the militia, and records are kept with militia records. | ||
*The Ancient British Fencible Cavalry 1794-1800. A brief history of the British Fencible Cavalry with a list of Officers who served with the Regiment, covering years 1794-1800. Article in Hel Achau, #3, Spring 1981, pages 21-24, | *The Ancient British Fencible Cavalry 1794-1800. A brief history of the British Fencible Cavalry with a list of Officers who served with the Regiment, covering years 1794-1800. Article in Hel Achau, #3, Spring 1981, pages 21-24, FamilySearch Library Ref. 942.23 D25h | ||
*Yeomanry were volunteer regiments, records of which often do not survive or are less complete than other military records. | *Yeomanry were volunteer regiments, records of which often do not survive or are less complete than other military records. | ||
*Colonial armies were forces raised in other countries. Records of these forces are usually in the country where the forces were raised. A notable exception is the Indian Army, for which many records are held at the British Library Oriental and India Office Collections, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB England. British Army in India information, [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/indian-army-personnel/ click here]. | *Colonial armies were forces raised in other countries. Records of these forces are usually in the country where the forces were raised. A notable exception is the Indian Army, for which many records are held at the British Library Oriental and India Office Collections, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB England. British Army in India information, [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/indian-army-personnel/ click here]. | ||
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[http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Imperial War Museum], London (WWI & WWII Collections) | [http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Imperial War Museum], London (WWI & WWII Collections) | ||
Records at the | Records at the FamilySearch Library | ||
*'''1772 - 1935''' {{RecordSearch|2366620|Great Britain, War Office Registers, 1772-1935}} at FamilySearch - [[Great Britain, War Office Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images | *'''1772 - 1935''' {{RecordSearch|2366620|Great Britain, War Office Registers, 1772-1935}} at FamilySearch - [[Great Britain, War Office Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images | ||
=== The | === The FamilySearch Library’s collection of army records includes: === | ||
*Army soldiers’ documents (before 1882) | *Army soldiers’ documents (before 1882) | ||
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Some '''Royal Marine attestation''' (enlistment) records are also available at the library. | Some '''Royal Marine attestation''' (enlistment) records are also available at the library. | ||
A number of name indexes to some military records containing birth, marriages, or deaths are in the | A number of name indexes to some military records containing birth, marriages, or deaths are in the FamilySearch Library. These indexes can be found in the Place search of the FamilySearch Catalog under: | ||
'''MILITARY RECORDS - CIVIL REGISTRATION''' | '''MILITARY RECORDS - CIVIL REGISTRATION''' | ||
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