Free access – 7 days only*

Free access – 7 days only*

Discover a world of wartime stories

Discover a world of wartime stories

This Remembrance, enjoy unlimited views and searches of over 22 billion global wartime records until 13th November. Start uncovering your family's wartime story today.

This Remembrance, enjoy unlimited views and searches of over 22 billion global wartime records until 13th November. Start uncovering your family's wartime story today.

Find your ancestors

Search a family member’s name

*Free access ends 13 Nov 2023. Registration required. Terms apply

*Free access ends 13 Nov 2023.
Registration required. Terms apply

© Hulton Archives/Getty Images

© Hulton Archives/Getty Images

Want to explore for longer? Start a 14-day free trial.§

Want to explore for longer? Start a 14-day free trial.§

Sign up

How to get started

How to get started

1. Build your tree

1. Build your tree

As you add ancestors to your family tree, look out for leaf symbols – these signify Ancestry Hints® and mean we've found more details about your ancestor.

As you add ancestors to your family tree, look out for leaf symbols – these signify Ancestry Hints® and mean we've found more details about your ancestor.

2. Search the records

We've put all our key wartime records on this page to make discoveries even easier. Explore records to find out how your ancestors were impacted by war.

2. Search the records

We've put all our key wartime records on this page to make discoveries even easier. Explore records to find out how your ancestors were impacted by war.

3. Delve even deeper

Reveal more than you thought possible by searching war records to find your ancestors' names, places lived, occupations and more details to build a picture of their wartime experiences.

3. Delve even deeper

Reveal more than you thought possible by searching war records to find your ancestors' names, places lived, occupations and more details to build a picture of their wartime experiences.

  • 1. Build your tree

    As you add ancestors to your family tree, look out for leaf symbols – these signify Ancestry Hints® and mean we've found more details about your ancestor.

  • 2. Search the records

    We've put all our key wartime records on this page to make discoveries even easier. Explore records to find out how your ancestors were impacted by war.

  • 3. Delve even deeper

    Reveal more than you thought possible by searching war records to find your ancestors' names, places lived, occupations and more details to build a picture of their wartime experiences.

Explore military and
homefront records

Explore military and homefront records

Once registered, you'll get free access to over 22 billion wartime records from around the world. These records, created during WWI and WWII, encompass the frontline and life at home. Discover what life was like for your ancestors and how they were impacted by the war.

Once registered, you'll get free access to over 22 billion wartime records from around the world. These records, created during WWI and WWII, encompass the frontline and life at home. Discover what life was like for your ancestors and how they were impacted by the war.

© Library and Archives Canada

© Library and Archives Canada

© Library and Archives Canada

What could you discover?

  • If you explore the 1939 England and Wales Register,  you could learn if your ancestors took on extra war duties.

    If you explore the 1939 England and Wales Register,  you could learn if your ancestors took on extra war duties.

    If you explore the 1939 England and Wales Register,  you could learn if your ancestors took on extra war duties.

  • Dive into our UK WWI Diaries and discover what life was like in the trenches.

    Dive into our UK WWI Diaries and discoverwhat life was like in the trenches.

    Dive into our UK WWI Diaries and discover what life was like in the trenches.

  • The UK WWI Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps records might reveal more than you'd expect.

    The UK WWI Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps records might reveal more than you'd expect.

    The UK WWI Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps records might reveal more than you'd expect.

  • Browse British Army WWI Service Records and you may uncover surprising details.

    Browse British Army WWI Service Records and you may uncover surprising details.

    Browse British Army WWI Service Records and you may uncover surprising details.

  • Discover your ancestors’ tales of bravery in our
    UK, WWII Civil Defence Gallantry Awards.

    Discover your ancestors’ tales of bravery in our UK, WWII Civil Defence Gallantry Awards.

    Discover your ancestors’ tales of bravery in our UK, WWII Civil Defence Gallantry Awards.

  • Unearth unexpected, extraordinary stories in our
    WWII Allied POW Records.

    Unearth unexpected, extraordinary stories in our WWII Allied POW Records.

    Unearth unexpected, extraordinary stories in our WWII Allied POW Records.

Military records in the spotlight

Military records in the spotlight

These records can provide information about your ancestors' service in rich detail such as their rank, unit and dates of service. You can even find out about possible injuries.

These records can provide information about your ancestors' service in rich detail such as their rank, unit and dates of service. You can even find out about possible injuries.

  • British Army WWI
    Service Records

    Learn about non-commissioned officers, plus other ranks who served and did not re-enlist in the Army prior to WWII. Discover your ancestors' regimental number, physical description and more.

  • Royal Navy Registers
    of Seamens

    These records go back as early as 1848 – check the image of the original record to find an ancestor's occupation, physical description and reasons for discharge.

  • UK WWI Women’s
    Army Auxiliary Corps

    Uncover your ancestors' certificates of discharge, their medical history forms and more in this collection. If you aren't sure of their marital status, search by both maiden and married names.

  • WWII Allied POW Records

    You could locate an ancestor who was held in a war camp with this collection. Plus, learn about the soldiers captured, where they were held and what happened to them.

  • Australia WWI
    Service Records

    Find basic biographical information, plus details about an individual’s service history in Australia and overseas with the help of dossiers in this collection.

  • Canada WWI CEF
    Personnel Files

    Reveal if you had an ancestor who enlisted in the CEF – learn about training, medical history, medal entitlements and more.

  • British Army WWI Medal
    Rolls Index Cards

    Reveal if your ancestors' bravery was commended with our medal index cards. This collection contains approximately 90% of WWI soldiers’ names – discover regiment, enlistment dates and remarks.

  • British WWI War Diaries,
    Western Front

    The diaries contain daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other pertinent material. They can provide an on-the-spot description of what your ancestor experienced.

  • WWI and WWII
    Commonwealth War Graves

    Learn more about past family members with the help of cemetery registers – they often provide details on who is buried in the cemetery and where they are buried.

Key wartime civilian records

Key wartime civilian records

Explore these records to find out what life was like for those at home. You can see if they took on extra wartime duties or even just find out where they were living and what occupation they had during the wars.

Explore these records to find out what life was like for those at home. You can see if they took on extra wartime duties or even just find out where they were living and what occupation they had during the wars.

Explore over 22 billion global wartime records

Explore over 22 billion
global wartime records

Explore over 22 billion
global wartime records

Search now

*Free access ends 13 Nov 2023 at 11:59 p.m. To view these records you will need to register for free with Ancestry.co.uk with your name and email address. We will then send you a username and password to access the records. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view the records in the featured collections using an Ancestry.co.uk paid membership. Terms apply. §One free trial per person. Requires registration with a valid credit or debit card. Unless you cancel before the end of your free trial, your chosen membership will begin and you'll be charged the relevant price. Your membership will automatically renew at the same price at the end of each membership period, unless you are notified otherwise. If you don’t want to renew, cancel at least two days before your renewal date by visiting the My Account section or calling 0800 783 1340. Terms apply.