With Remem-brance Day just around the corner, genealogists may be researching members of their families who served in the military. For general information, an invaluable site to visit is www.greatwar.co.uk, click on the tab along the right side of the screen that says"WW1 Organizations", then click on and read up about the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission".
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established in 1917, with some very important objectives: to mark and maintain graves of members of the forces who fell in WWI (and later WWII) from all Commonwealth countries; to upkeep memorials to soldiers whose final resting place is not known; and to provide records and registers of all the burials. This is a huge project that is responsible for 1.7 million graves and memorials all over the world.
The site states that "The information held by the CWGC can be very useful for people researching their family history (genealogy) or simply trying to find out more about the recipient of a First World War medal. The details provided by the CWGC can help to locate the actual grave within a cemetery or the name commemorated on a WWI memorial if you're planning to make a visit."
An abundance of information is available. The "greatwar" site tells us that "The information you will be provided with by the CWGC register will be: name, initial(s), nationality, rank, regiment/service, date of death, service number, casualty type, reference for the grave or place of commemoration as a Plot, Row and Grave reference, historical details about the cemetery or memorial, where to find the cemetery or memorial. Additional information which may be included on the Register, if it has been recorded by the Common-wealth War Graves Commission, may be the person's military unit (at the time of death), age, and next of kin with an address." This information can be extremely useful to those seeking to further their search about family members in the forces.
The CWGC site is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. To visit this site and pursue specific information log on to www.cwgc.org.
The Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society meets monthly, and welcomes genealogists at all stages of research. Whether you are just getting started in tracing your family tree or are in the middle of an ongoing research project, you will find interested and helpful group members to assist in your work. The next meeting of the genealogy society will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Western Development Museum. A variety of topics will be discussed, including a report from Doris Maben and Norma Biro about the Moose Jaw Genealogical Conference. For more information please call Dave at 783-1093 or Glenn at 782-7969.
Every family has a story! Discover yours with the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society!
