In 1914, Britain was the only European power without a conscripted army. Manpower could sway the outcome of the war, so there was no issue more pressing than that of military recruitment. This is where Pals battalions came into play, changing the course of the war and the communities they left behind. What were Pals battalions?: The idea came from General Sir Henry Rawlinson, who believed that men would be more likely to enlist if they could serve alongside their friends.…
Did you know that two-thirds of Britons haven’t researched an ancestor who served in the World Wars? We did the maths, and this means that a staggering 1.18 million wartime stories stand to be lost to future generations. Family history provides a way to discover and preserve the experiences of our ancestors who lived through World War 1 and World War 2. Commemorating our ancestors’ bravery shouldn’t be confined to Remembrance Day. Here at Findmypast, we’re on a mission to ensure that no…
As with any military cemetery, the St Symphorien military cemetery near Mons in Belgium tells the harrowing stories of men who lost their lives too soon. There are 284 German and 229 Commonwealth soldiers buried at St Symphorien – but two of these men are linked by a strange coincidence. They were the first and last British soldiers to be killed in the First World War. As revealed by our military and census records, these are their stories. John Parr: the first British:
Perhaps it’s a sibling enthralled by tales of battlefield strategy, or a friend already immersed in the labyrinthine alleys of family history. Whatever the case, this Christmas, you can give more than a gift: you can give a key to the past.With Findmypast’s treasure trove of records, your gift can spark journeys that thread through generations. Who knows what secrets, surprises, or long-lost relatives are waiting to be discovered?To help you in your hunt for the perfect Christmas…
Family history starts with those closest to you. Where better to get information about your shared heritage than straight from the horse's mouth? Just think, if your grandparents remember details about their great-grandparents, you've already gone back four generations. Show your family tree to your nearest and dearest to see if they can fill in any gaps.Maybe your loved one is interested in starting their own family history journey. More than just a hobby, it provides a valuable way…
Birth, marriage and death records (BMDs) are one of the first kind of family records you'll discover when you start looking into your past. BMDs provide an incredible resource for tracing important events in your family's history. But what are they, exactly? And how can they help you trace your family tree? A brief history of birth, marriage and death records: The story of British birth, marriage and death records starts way back in 1538. The Church of England split with…