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It has never been easier to research what your parents and grandparents and family members did in the Second World War – whether they were in the armed forces, the Home Guard or worked in factories on the home front. For anyone looking to learn more about their family’s past, this book provides all the tools and information to get started, explains what is available online (as well as what is not) and outlines the pitfalls to avoid. A wide range of background information on the war itself will also help place your ancestors’ experiences within the wider context of the Second World War.
This book provides a comprehensive review of all the available resources, where they are to be found and how to make the best use of them; not just for the United Kingdom, but also for the Commonwealth, Europe and the United States.
An essential guide, it makes an increasingly important aspect of family history both interesting and accessible to anyone looking to learn more about their past.
'Simon Fowler is a professional researcher, specialising in the military history of the two world wars and the records of central government. In the extremely useful Introduction to the book, he describes clearly and briefly how the British armed forces were organised. In particular, he unpacks the various parts of the British Army, which is a great help when searching through military records.'
Sherryl Abrahart, Genealogists' Magazine,
'With this year seeing the 80th anniversary of end of the Second World War, and the prospect of the digitisation of the most service records from 1921-1962 being (very) gradually realised, this guide couldn't come at a better time.'
Who Do You Think You Are? magazine,
2nd June, 2025 in Local & Family History, Military
Tens of thousands of men and women performed heroic acts on the Home Front during the Second World War. Most were not recognised by the authorities, nor would the heroines and heroes have wished to be so commemorated – the real reward was successfully saving a person’s life.. The…
27th March, 2018 in Local & Family History
Providing references to sources can transform your practice of genealogy and peoples’ opinions of it. Good references provide the key to bulletproofing your work and sharing findings with others. Genealogy is little more than anecdote when the sources for facts are not…
16th December, 2015 in Local & Family History
If you’re reading this then you’re probably already a history fan, and one of the best ways to engage with the subject is to investigate your family history. Despite what you might think, it’s not just about building a ‘tree’ full of names and dates. It’s really about uncovering…
