Genealogy Chat

Hi all,

I've been looking at the national archives site, and I'm confused!

I've discovered a relative of mine - Frederick Albert McDonald - was in the Royal Marines. From his marriage cert I know he was serving in 1903 on HMS Impregnable, Devonport. I also know from his daughter's birth cert that he was still serving in 1904. I've also got his number as 9456.

I would love to find out more about his length of service, his rank, and basically any other information I can find. I have checked cwgc website and can find no trace of a WW death for him.

I've come to the conclusion that to do this I would need to visit the National Archives at Kew. I've never been before, and looking at their Website has confused me as I appear to need to order documents to view before I visit. Is this correct? If so, how do I know which documents to order?

What other information would I be able to trace?

I have another relative who was killed in WW1, but apart from his medal card - which I downloaded - am I right in thinking there wouldn't be much other info for this relative?

Any help would be gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Keri

Hi Keri

Can't help you with all your questions, but the simple answer is no you don't have to order any documents before you go. You have to register with them to obtain a readers card, and to do that you can pre-fill in the application form before you go and take it with you when you visit the site along with your proof of address and identity as required.

Online you can order some documents for a fee to view in the comforts of your own home. Other documents you have to visit the National Archives to look at them. Some documents you need to order in advance if they are stored offsite, it will tell you on the document you are looking at whether it is stored at Kew or offsite, if it's offsite you will have to request them in prior to your visit.

With regards to the relatives killed in WW1 I hope someone else can give you more information on that as I am not very au fait will all of that.

Regards Gary

Thank you very much for that information, every little helps!

For the Royal Marine, the best thing to do before you go is to look at Research Guide 45 on their site. It will tell you what is available and for which dates. Then when you get there, you can look at the references the Research Guide gives you, in the paper catalogues (big red files) to get the exact reference of the documents you need. They only take around 30 mins or so to arrive anad you can order 3 at a time. So while you're waiitng, you can look for service records for the WW1 soldier, which are on microfilm in series WO363. The staff are quite helpful, so just ask!

Thank you for that, I was getting very confused looking at the site as to what I'd be able to do when I got there.

One other question (sorry!) If I apply for a reading card and travel down, am I allowed to take someone in with me, or would they need to apply for a card too?

Thanks again, it's making it all a little less daunting!

Each visitor into the search room needs a readers ticket ,,if that explaines things a little clearer,,so if you are taking someone with you they also need ,Readers Ticket,and ID,,,,,,

Only pencils allowed and plain loose papers,,