Genealogy Chat

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The following site has a lot of photographs on it from WWI, including some amazing colour pictures (some coloured-in and some using early colour photography): http://www.greatwar.nl/ There are photos of soldiers, camps, etc. - British, American, Australian, Belgian, French, German, African, etc. Warning!: a few of the photographs are quite disturbing, but these are in a separate section called 'forbidden war pictures'

Thanks - I hadn't found that one. Christine

thanks for that, i always look hoping i will see my gt grandfathers face, does anyone else do that, i think it would be so cool to be watching one of the history programmes and up pops a rellie, i will note the web site and take a look yvette

I know what you mean Yvette. I went and visited some of my ancestors' graves in France and Belgium in April, and also went to the World War I museum in Albert. There was a photo there of 'the Royal Warwicks resting'. My great-uncle was in the Royal Warwickshire Regt. I don't know what he looked like, but I just imagine that he could be one of the men in that photo. It is so sad to see all those graves, and names of those with unknown graves on the memorials. It was being there that prompted me to start researching my family history. I'd often thought about doing it 'some day'. But visiting those cemeteries made me want to find out as much as I can about my ancestors.

...just adding so I can find it tomorrow...sounds an interesting site..Thanks .. Sue

Just taken a look, what a sad site. My g grandfather and his brother died within 5 days of each other, I always thought they had a grim death, but when I looked at those photos it was worse than I thought, what a terrible way to die, and what a waste of fine young men. Sue

Thanks - I will take a look later. Kathy

Hi Sarah Thank you for telling us about that website. I was going to do some research tonight, thought that I'll take a quick look at the boards first, saw your thread, and have been looking at the website ever since. That is such a thought provoking website, looking at the First World War from an unconventional yet realistic view point. War is truly horrific and too often the public is fed a romantised picture. Even today in the age of 24 hour media we're not getting the true picture of what's happening in Iraq. Images like this should encourage peace, however here we are some 90 years later with our politicians still sending our young men out to die. There is an interesting report on there of how gas shells are still being pulled out of the ground with rusting mechanisms and the deadly chemicals still inside. Tons of these shells were dumped in the sea just off Zeebruge at the end of the war. All of which causing one huge enviromental issue. I dread to think of the consequences of these getting into the wrong hands. Before I started researching mine and my husband's families we did not know of anyone who died in this war. To date we have found seven and has led us to take a greater interest in this conflict. No longer do we forget to buy our poppies each November. Thank you for sharing this with us. Rachelxx

Yes it is extremely sad, and indeed a horrible way to die. Sent to a living hell, never to return. There's a very moving story on the website of the Somme Trench Museum in Albert, written from a soldier's perspective by his niece: http://www.somme-trench-museum(.)co(.)uk/sitetrench/soldiers_fichiers/frame.htm

Thank you for that Sarah. I've just been looking at the website, it's really interesting.

Sarah Thanks, what a site it really makes you think!!!

This one is also good for info and pics http://www.1914-1918.invisionzone(.)com/forums/ Carole

Thanks Carole, that looks like a really useful site.