Nature of Source
Chaplain’s Returns record births, baptisms, marriages and deaths and burials at stations overseas by the Army Chaplains’ Department between 1796 and 1880. The name of the regiment served with does not appear on the index but does on the certificate. The registers are available online at findmypast.co.uk. The certificate will provide the name of soldier and regiment and the date and place of event.
Regimental Registers record the births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials of soldiers or their families. The events were compiled by each regiment and could have occurred overseas or in the UK. The indexes are not complete so the name of the regiment in which the person was serving must be known. However, births and baptisms covering 1761 to 1924 have been indexed by name. The index will provide the name of the regiment served with. The certificate will provide the date and place of event, the parent’s name and regiment served with. After legislation in 1879, the records only deal with overseas BMDs and were recorded in a standardised format. Many records relate to the Army in India. BMDs for officers serving in the Indian Army are held at the India Office Collection. The index is open to public access but the records themselves held by the General Register Office remain closed to the general public.
Service Departments Returns record the voluntary registration of birth, marriages and deaths from members of the armed forces or from civilians working for the forces. It is possible that the event was also registered with the British Consul and High Commission.
The Beckett Soldiers Index contains listing of soldiers from 1793 to about 1854 extracted from WO 120 and WO 116 (a selection of records within WO 116 are available to download free of charge as part of the Digital Microfilm Records) and other sources such as marriage registers and medal awards. Arranged alphabetically by surname, forename and regiment including whether discharged at either Chelsea or Kilmainham Hospital. These published editions cover more ground than the Beckett Soldiers’ Index available at The National Archives. The available volumes are as follows:
Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, A-C: Jade Publishing, 2003
Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, D-G Jade Publishing, 2009
Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, H-K: Jade Publishing, 2009
Also see
Army – Casualty Lists, Other Ranks before 1914
Army – Registers of Deaths, Other Ranks & Officers, WWI
Debt of Honour Register – Commonwealth War Graves Commission
War Memorials, Graves & Rolls of Honour (Including Scotland)
Where Found
General Register Office for England and Wales (GRO holds British Army Regimental records of births/baptisms, marriages, 1761-1924 and Chaplain returns consisting of Army chaplains’ records of baptisms, marriages and deaths, 1796-1880. The office also holds certificates of births, marriages or deaths registered by the armed forces. The registers include deaths of serving personnel during The Boer War, 1899-1902; World War 1, 1914-1921; World War 2, 1939-1948)
The National Archives (WO 156, War Office: UK and overseas garrisons: Registers of Baptisms, Confirmations, Deaths/Burials, and Marriage; TNA holds a small number of regimental registers, including Royal Hospital Chelsea in-pensioner baptisms, marriages and burials as well as the GRO indexes)
County Record Offices (Partial sets of copies. Find the details of a local UK archive from a searchable list of over 2,500 archives hosted by The National Archives)
LDS FamilySearch Centers (Partial sets of copies)
National Army Museum/Templer Study Centre (The museum houses a wealth of information on the history and traditions of the Army including officer Army Lists, regimental and campaign histories, soldier’s effects records, military memoirs and diaries, regimental and other military periodicals and books and other archives relating to the pre-1914 Army. The museum also holds the enlistment and discharge books for the Buffs, the Middlesex Regiment, and the five Irish regiments disbanded in 1922. See the web site for details of their collections and a series of information sheets for researching army family history)
Period Covered
1761 – 1924
Genealogical Value
- Name of soldier and regiment.
- Date and place of event.
- Parent’s name.
Further References
General
- Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, A-C: Jade Publishing, 2003
- Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, D-G Jade Publishing, 2009
- Beckett, James Deuchar (ed). The Beckett Soldiers Index, H-K: Jade Publishing, 2009 (Listing of soldiers from 1793 to about 1854 extracted from TNA series WO 120 and WO 116 and other sources such as marriage registers and medal awards. Arranged alphabetically by surname, forename and regiment including whether discharged at either Chelsea or Kilmainham Hospital. These published editions cover more ground than the Beckett Soldiers’ Index available at The National Archives)
- Bevan, Amanda. Tracing Your Ancestors in the National Archives: The National Archives, 2006
- Brereton, J.M. A Guide to the Regiments and Corps of the British Army: Bodley Head, 1985
- Blank, Dr. Stuart. Researching British Military History on the Internet: Alwyn Enterprises, 2007
- Cox. Reginald H. W. Military Badges of the British Empire 1914-18: Ernest Benn, 1982
- Farmer, John, The Regimental Records of the British Army: Grant Richards, 1901 (Free download available at the Internet Archive)
- Fowler, Simon. A Guide to Military History on the Internet: Pen & Sword, 2007
- Fowler, Simon. Tracing your Army Ancestors: Pen & Sword, 2006
- Fowler, Simon. Tracing Your Army Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen & Sword Books, 2013
- Gaylor, John. Military Badge Collecting: Pen & Sword Books, 2002
- Grehan, John & Mace, Martin. British Battles of the Crimean Wars 1854-1856: Pen & Sword Books, 2014
- Kitzmiller, John. In Search of the Forlorn Hope: A Comprehensive Guide to Locating British Regiments and Their Records, 1640-WWI: Manuscript Publishing Foundation, 1988
- Murphy, Gerry. Where Did That Regiment Go? The Lineage of British Infantry and Cavalry Regiments at a Glance: The History Press, 2009
- Paterson, Sarah. Tracing Your Family History, Army: Imperial War Museum, 2006
- Pols, Robert. Dating Old Army Photographs: Family History Partnership, 2011
- Saks, David. Boerejode: Jews in the Boer Armed Forces 1899-1902: 2010
- Spencer, William. Family History in the Wars: The National Archives, 2007
- Spencer, William. Army Records: A Guide For Family Historians: The National Archives, 2008
- Storey, Neil. Military Photographs and How to Date Them: Countryside Books, 2009
- Swinnerton, Iain, An Introduction to the British Army: Its History, Traditions and Records: FFHS, 1996
- Swinson, Arthur. A Register of the Regiments and Corps of the British Army: The Archive Press, 1972
- The Great War: A Photographic Narrative: Imperial War Museum: Jonathan Cape, 2013
- Usher, George. Dictionary of British Military History: A&C Black Publishers, 2006
- Watts, Michael and Watts, Christopher. My Ancestor was in the British Army: Society of Genealogists, 2009
- Westlake, Ray. The Territorials 1908-1914: A Guide for Military and Family Historians: Pen & Sword Books, 2011
WWI
- Banks, Arthur. A Military Atlas of The First World War: Pen & Sword Books, 2013
- Bridger, Geoff. The Great War Handbook: A Guide For Family Historians & Students Of The Conflict: Pen & Sword Books, 2013
- Christopher, John & McCutcheon, Campbell. 1914 the First World War in Old Photographs: Over by Christmas: Amberley Publishing, 2014
- Doyle, Peter & Foster Chris. British Army Cap Badges of the First World War: Shire Publications, 2010
- Doyle, Peter. Great War British Tommy Manual: The British Soldier 1914-18 [All Models]-Haynes Owners’ Workshop Manuals: Haynes, 2013
- Doyle, Peter & Foster Chris. Remembering Tommy: The British Soldier in the First World War: The History Press, 2013
- Doyle, Peter & Foster Chris. What Tommy Took to War, 1914-1918: Shire Publications, 2014
- Doyle, Peter. The First World War in 100 Objects: The History Press, 2014
- Forty, Simon. Mapping the First World War: Battlefields of the Great Conflict from Above: Anova Books, 2013
- Gregson, Keith. A Tommy in the Family: First World War Family History Tales and Research Tips: The History Press, 2014
- Hadaway, Stuart. Tracing Your Great War Ancestors: The Egypt and Palestine Campaigns: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen and Sword Books, 2017
- Holding, Norman, More Sources of WWI Army Ancestry: FFHS, 1998
- Holding, Norman & Swinnerton, Iain. WWI Army Ancestry: FFHS, 2004
- Holmes, Richard. Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front 1914-1918: Harper Perennial, 2005
- Holmes, Richard. Shots from the Front: The British Soldier 1914-18: HarperPress, 2010
- Holmes, Richard. The First World War in Photographs: Andre Deutsch, July 2014
- James, Brig. E. A. British Regiments 1914-18: Naval and Military Press, 2009
- Paterson, Sarah. Tracing Your Prisoner of War Ancestors: The First World War: Pen & Sword, 2012
- Rawson, Andrew. The British Army 1914-1918: The History Press, 2014
- Spencer, William. First World War Army Service Records: The National Archives, 2008
- Swinnerton, Iain. Identifying Your World War One Soldier from Badges and Photographs: Federation of Family History Societies, 2001
Websites
General
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/birth-marriage-death-armed-forces (The National Archives Research Guide: How to look for records of Births, marriages and deaths in the armed forces. This is a brief guide to help you with your research into a birth, marriage or death in the British Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines or Royal Navy)
www.gov.uk/research-family-history (Gov.uk: Research your family history using the General Register Office)
www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-recorded-in-england-wales-and-overseas (Gov.uk: Events recorded in England and Wales and overseas. This is a list of the types of events that are recorded in England, Wales and overseas for which the General Register Office holds records. It also gives the dates for which the records are held)
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/?research-category=military-and-maritime (The National Archives Research Guides: Military and maritime)
www.ukmfh.org.uk (UK Military Family History Online: Links to web sites with online data and information to aid in military family history research)
www.armylists.org.uk (Guide to Army Lists and published lists available on CD)
www.parishchest.com (Online store selling military records from a variety of suppliers)
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk (Veterans UK. The organisation provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments)
www.iwm.org.uk/research/tracing-your-family-history/tracing-your-army-history (Imperial War Museum Research Guide: Tracing Your Family History. Guides to help you start your research into your army family history explaining what records you will need and where to find them. Subject areas include: Service records; Casualty information; Medal records; Unit and operational histories)
www.militaryarchiveresearch.com (Military Archive Research, by Dr Stuart C Blank)
www.genuki.org.uk/big/MilitaryRecords (GENUKI Guide: UK and Ireland: Military Records)
www.genuki.org.uk/big/BritMilRecs (GENUKI: British Military Records by Jay Hall)
www.armymuseums.org.uk/museum-directory (The Army Museums Ogilby Trust: Museum Directory: Guide and links to military museums in the UK)
www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/research-guides (National Records of Scotland Research Guide: Military Records. This guide deals with the records held at National Records of Scotland relating to the military. The first part deals with army personnel records while the second part covers more general sources for military history)
WWI
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/first-world-war (The National Archives: Online Exhibitions: First World War 100. Explore key aspects of the war through themes such as technology and the Middle East, special projects and partnerships)
www.longlongtrail.co.uk (The Long, Long Trail. The site is dedicated to helping you discover the British army and its soldiers of the First World War with sections packed with useful advice on Researching Soldiers, Researching the Army and Researching Battles)
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918 (Long, Long Trail. The British infantry regiments of 1914-1918. This section of the Long, Long Trail will be helpful for anyone wishing to find out about the history of the battalions of the British infantry. The history and affiliations of every battalion of every British infantry regiment can be found on these pages)
https://war.web.ox.ac.uk/great-war-archive (Oxford University: The Great War Archive: WWI digital photographs, audio, film, documents, and stories submitted by the general public. The initiative was run by Oxford University between the 3rd March and the 30th June 2008. Users can share First World War objects on the The Great War Archive Flickr Group)
https://blogs.bl.uk/european/world-war-one (British Library: Exploring Europe at the British Library: World War One)
https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/world-war-one (British Library: Untold Lives Blog: World War One)
https://maryevanspicturelibrary.typepad.com/ww1 (Mary Evans Picture Library: Picturing the Great War: The First World War Blog)
www.europeana.eu/portal/en/collections/world-war-I (Europeana 1914-1918. Explore the untold stories and official histories of World War I in items from across Europe including postcards, letters, diaries, images and other memorabilia)
www.pals.org.uk/research.htm (Guide to researching service records)
https://ww1-lost-photos.livejournal.com (Blog covering the WWI photographs of the unknown soldiers)
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk (Imperial War Museum: Lives of the First World War. Discover, Explore and Remember Millions of Personal Stories From The First World War. The project tells the stories of individuals from across Britain and the Commonwealth who served in uniform and worked on the home front. Each person remembered has Life Story page using a variety of sources. The digital project ran from 12 May 2014 to 19 March 2019)
www.inflandersfields.be/en (In Flanders Fields Museum. The museum presents the story of the First World War in the West Flanders front region and is located in the famous Cloth Hall in the centre of Ypres)
Online Databases
www.ancestry.co.uk (UK, Military Records of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Burials, 1813-1957. This collection contains registrations of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, banns, and burials for individuals who served in the British military, including those stationed overseas as recorded by military chaplains. The original data is held at TNA in series WO 156)
www.findmypast.co.uk (Royal Artillery Officer Deaths 1850-2011. Search through over a century of Royal Artillery records. The records include campaigns in Bosnia, Iraq and the First and Second World Wars. Discover your ancestor’s birth year, death date and obituary. The records include 27 Victoria Cross recipients)
www.findmypast.co.uk (British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms. Search birth records of children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces, as well as, civilian ship passengers. The original records are held by the General Register Office and The National Archives)
www.findmypast.co.uk (British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages. Search records of British armed forces members and civilians who were married abroad and at sea. The collection has been compiled from records held by the General Register Office and The National Archives)
www.findmypast.co.uk (British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials. Search records of British armed forces members who died serving their country overseas, British civilians who died while travelling or working overseas, and individuals, including seamen, who died at sea. The collection has been compiled from records held by the General Register Office and The National Archives)
www.findmypast.co.uk (British Armed Forces, Roman Catholic Registers. Search Roman Catholic registers of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials from the British armed forces. The registers contain records for British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy personnel stationed at home and abroad between 1836 and 1975)
www.bmdregisters.co.uk (Miscellaneous Foreign Marriage Returns RG 34, 1826-1921. Includes WWI marriage registers)
www.gov.uk/probate-search (Find a Soldier’s Will: Search for the will of a soldier who died while serving in the British armed forces between 1850 and 1986. Final handwritten wills and last letters home were kept by troops in their pocket service books and tucked into their uniforms. The wills, owned by Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service, include 280,000 soldiers who died in the Great War. See website for progress on the project)
www.inflandersfields.be/en/kenniscentrum-e/namenlijst-e (Flanders Fields Museum: The Names List: Search an inclusive database of fatalities of the Great War of those who died or were mortally wounded in Belgium. The commemorative Names List includes civilian and military victims from all nations and from all sides of the war. The Names List includes the digitised Ireland’s Memorial Records which commemorates the memory of the thousands of Irishmen who died during the war)
CD Roms
S & N Genealogy Supplies (Overseas Births, Marriages and Deaths)
