AS we approach Remembrance weekend, an ancestry discovery service is offering free access to all records to enable more people to discover their family’s wartime experiences.
Findmypast research has revealed that 1.18 million wartime stories are at risk of being forgotten, with a staggering two thirds of Brits admitting they have not researched an ancestor who served in the military.
To help change that, anyone will be able to access billions of records and historical newspapers on Findmypast from 7th November – 11th November, this even includes the exclusive 1921 Census for the first time.
With millions of military records available – from WWI service records to medical records, enrolment forms, and rolls of honour – you can trace every detail of your ancestors’ wartime service across the globe.
There are also accessible records of the millions of women serving in in uniform and undertaking civilian wartime roles, including the WRENs files, Red Cross volunteer lists, rolls of honour, and service records.
Newspapers on Findmypast offer a treasure trove of information and stories. You might find details of your ancestors’ wartime heroics, images of your community during the blitz, or fascinating insights into the reporting of major milestones in the war.
Follow history as it happened with free access to millions of newspaper pages, digitised in partnership with the British Library.
With the 1921 Census offered free for the first time, you can also discover the impacts of the First World War on your family’s lives. Uncover their changing occupations and reflect on tragic losses, all documented in the largest and most comprehensive census in British history.
Findmypast has a host of tools and features to aid your research and you can preserve your findings with their online family tree builder. You can also search for your ancestors within branches of other members' trees and uncover new connections.
Sarah Bush, Managing Director at Findmypast said: "Remembrance Day provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on our ancestors’ sacrifices, but research shows many stories remain untold. We’re encouraging people to honour their ancestors by uncovering their wartime stories. Every family’s wartime experience is
unique, so we’re making our vast and varied collection of records, newspapers and tools on Findmypast free to ensure that no story is left behind.”
Free access on Findmypast will run from 10am GMT on 7th November to 11.59pm on Monday 11th November.
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