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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:…

When historians discovered the forgotten grave of World War 1 serviceman Harry Dunn in 2004, they had no idea who he was. They had no clue about his life, military service, or family. Was there even anyone still alive to remember him?Then in 2023, our friends at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission created a new headstone for Harry, who is buried in the Arnos Vale war cemetery in Bristol. They appealed to the public for help, searching for long lost family connections,…

Whether you've got relatives who fought in World War 1, World War 2 or another global conflict, it's so important to honour their stories with acts of remembrance. More than just wearing a poppy each Remembrance Sunday, this means preserving their stories for generations to come. Using our record collection, learn more about the servicemen who were captured as prisoners of war (POWs) between 1914 and 1918.Although France had always been Britain’s traditional enemy, not Germany, by August 1914, as a result of the…

As smoke rolled across the North Sea, steel decks trembled under thunderous gunfire and thousands of sailors waited at their posts, unsure if they would see another sunrise. For many families, the Battle of Jutland is not just a chapter in British history, but the moment an ancestor's life was forever changed. With Royal Navy stories now at your fingertips, you can delve deeper and understand their experiences as never before.The 1916 Battle of Jutland was the largest naval battle…

In the modern age of Google and Wikipedia, taking a book out of the library to find the answer to your burning questions may seem like a thing of the past. However, whilst online genealogical resources are great, sometimes a good family history book is all you need. From establishing a clear timeline and a pedigree chart to tracing female ancestors with changing surnames, all manner of tricky challenges face genealogists and family historians when they begin building the branches…

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…

Many people had their lives cut short by war. But for others, war is only a part of their story. My family tree discoveries have changed how I view my military ancestors and made me feel immensely grateful for their bravery and sacrifice. Knowing my paternal grandfather served with Monty’s Eighth Army during the Second World War fills me with pride. My maternal great-grandfather, Ralph Overthrow, enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1916 aged 20 while working as a chemist for…

Sam Mendes’ epic war film 1917 depicts two British Army runners tasked with delivering a vital message during the First World War. The buzz surrounding the movie has ignited interest in the real runners of the First World War and their unbelievable tales of triumph and tragedy. We scoured our records to discover more. What were runners in the First World War?: Runners were essentially foot messengers. They were men whose primary role was to deliver critical pieces of information from…

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…

Can you name all eight of your great-grandparents? Do you know what they did for a living? How about where they lived? Recent research has revealed that over five million of us know nothing about our great-grandparents. Although most people know a lot about their grandparents, just 10% of Brits know basic details about their great-grandparents, such as their names, birthplaces, and occupations. News of this generational knowledge gap is worrying - it reminds us of the importance of researching and preserving…