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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[ | ''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[England_Military_Records|Military Records]]'' | ||
[[Image:English Civil War Uniform.jpg|thumb|right]]Military records are potentially of great genealogical value and may provide information not found in any other source. These records identify individuals who served or were eligible to serve in the military. Military service (other than the militia) was usually a lifetime career. Officers came from the upper classes; soldiers usually came from the poor. On occasion, compulsory conscription was enforced and even "press-gangs" were used. | [[Image:English Civil War Uniform.jpg|thumb|right]]Military records are potentially of great genealogical value and may provide information not found in any other source. These records identify individuals who served or were eligible to serve in the military. Military service (other than the militia) was usually a lifetime career. Officers came from the upper classes; soldiers usually came from the poor. On occasion, compulsory conscription was enforced and even "press-gangs" were used. | ||
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{{Wikipedia|Military history of the United Kingdom}} | {{Wikipedia|Military history of the United Kingdom}} | ||
'''1707:''' The unification of the [[England|Kingdom of England]] and the [[Scotland|Kingdom of Scotland]] into the [[Great Britain|Kingdom of Great Britain]] bring about the new British Army incorporating Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland | '''1707:''' The unification of the [[England|Kingdom of England]] and the [[Scotland|Kingdom of Scotland]] into the [[Great Britain|Kingdom of Great Britain]] bring about the new British Army incorporating Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland | ||
{{further|British Military Records}} | {{further|British Military Records}} | ||
[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information. | [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information. | ||
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The first permanent naval fleet was formed during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509–1547). For many years Britain had the strongest navy in the world. The earliest surviving navy records are from 1617, but the majority of the extensive collection date from the mid-1600s. Many records are available only at The National Archives. | The first permanent naval fleet was formed during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509–1547). For many years Britain had the strongest navy in the world. The earliest surviving navy records are from 1617, but the majority of the extensive collection date from the mid-1600s. Many records are available only at The National Archives. | ||
Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service<br> | Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service<br> | ||
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 Family History Library. | 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 Family History Library. | ||
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Ship logs exist from 1673. While they usually give information only on position, weather, and sightings of other ships, records of shipboard events may include names of individual seamen. | Ship logs exist from 1673. While they usually give information only on position, weather, and sightings of other ships, records of shipboard events may include names of individual seamen. | ||
[[Image:British Military3.jpg|thumb|right|357x417px]] | [[Image:British Military3.jpg|thumb|right|357x417px]] | ||
==== Militia Lists and Musters ==== | ==== Militia Lists and Musters ==== | ||
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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. | ||
*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. | *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. | ||
These records are at The National archives. For further information on military records for branches of the service other than navy or regular army, see the military record handbooks at the end of this section.<br> | These records are at The National archives. For further information on military records for branches of the service other than navy or regular army, see the military record handbooks at the end of this section.<br> | ||
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=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
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The Family History Library’s collection of army records includes: | The Family History Library’s collection of army records includes: | ||
*Army soldiers’ documents | *Army soldiers’ documents | ||
*Description books | *Description books | ||
*Officers’ records of service | *Officers’ records of service | ||
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It is difficult to locate an individual’s record without knowing his ship or regiment. If you do not know this, you may find it in other types of records. Once you know the regiment or ship, consult the muster rolls, records of service, or other records available for that ship or regiment. Strategies for finding the ship or regiment follow. | It is difficult to locate an individual’s record without knowing his ship or regiment. If you do not know this, you may find it in other types of records. Once you know the regiment or ship, consult the muster rolls, records of service, or other records available for that ship or regiment. Strategies for finding the ship or regiment follow. | ||
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== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
*[http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/england/all-england/military.htm England Military Links] | |||
{{Place|England}} | <br> {{Place|England}} | ||
[[Category:England|Military Records]] | [[Category:England|Military Records]] | ||