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Sorry, have to ask again - you mean you want to trace HIS ancestry backwards? Then you need to find that marriage - what details do you have for definite? Did they have kids, if so, who and when and where? If they are your grandparents, does your father/mother not have a birth cert giving grans name on it?

Hi, thanks Heather and Jennifer......I seem to have confused you, sorry. I know his death date.....25/10/1917 and I know his parents names. I also know his wifes name and where she was living at the time of his death I have all this from the commonwealth war graves commission, I also know what medals he should have received. I can't find any records of a marriage between him and my gandmother, although it clearly states she was his wife!! that's why I thought I may be able to trace them from 1916 when he was living in Weston-super-mare, somerset. Having said that it states on his memoriam that in 1917 his wife was living in Bristol. Hope that makes things clearer. Many thanks Mary

If you are looking for an address for 1916 I think the only way is to check electoral registers. IF, if his records have survived and unfortunately most were destroyed during the second war then that would give an address. You said he died in action Ypres 1917 but then you say you cant find his death? Do you mean someone told you this? Have you looked at the CWGC site which lists men who died in the WW1? Have you looked on National Archives on line to see if his medal card is there for downloading? What do you actually want to find on this man? If its a case of looking for his parents, then you can buy his marriage certificate (you say you know the wifes name?) which will give his fathers name, her fathers names, all parties occupations plus addresses where they were living at the time of the marriage and witnesses names. Once you have his fathers name it would be a case of tracking back in the 1901 - in fact he should be in the 1901 census aswell. Is this what you mean to do, actually research backwards rather than just info on him in particular?

If you post his name and any details you may have perhaps on a separate thread, (people on here are so very helpful), and they may be able to trace something for you. It may be able to pick something up from the 1901 census, and you can go from there. Jen

Athena, How do I find when he enlisted, as I only know when he died, do you know. Thanks Mary

Hi Athena, thanks for replying. I have his regiment, number etc., I also have where his wife was living at the time of his death (which I can't find) I just thought maybe the address he was living when he enlisted might tell me more. How do I go about finding someone to look this up for me please. Thanks Mary

One way is to find his military records. His attestation papers would usually have his address on there - plus name and address of next of kin. You will need to go to the archives at Kew for this, though - or hire a military researcher to do it for you (some are quite reasonably priced).

Hi Kate, thanks for help, I have his date of death and where he died but, the only way I can trace his family is to go backwards and try to find where he was living when he enlisted, I then may be able to find my Grandmother, does this make sense. Regards Mary

Hi Maryann, Weston super Mare is in Somerset not Gloucestershire. Have you tried looking up the casualty on the Commongwealth War Graves Commission site. It sometimes gives more information about the deceased. You could also try the Historical Directories site (just google) and the family may be listed. Kate

Help please, can anyone tell me how I can find the address of a soldier who enlisted in 1916 who was living in Weston-super-Mare, Gloucestershire at the time of his enlistment. He was killed in action in Ypres in 1917. Many thanks Mary