Do you have an ancestor who served in the military? If so, there are on-line resources available that allow you to research their service.

Library and Archives Canada is in the process of digitizing documents relating to WWI that can assist you in your study. Many attestation papers, the forms that were filled out by volunteers, and enlistment forms, for those who were drafted, are available. Go to the Search Database form and type in the name you are searching. You may find information such as address, occupation, next of kin, birth date and place, distinguishing physical characteristics, as well as the signature of your relative. The complete service file may even have been digitized, allowing you to see details of their health, pay, and training, for example. If you know the unit your relative was posted to, you can find details of the unit’s activities in the War Diaries.

If your ancestor died in service during any war, you may find records at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial; this site is dedicated to preserving ‘the memory of the achievements and sacrifices made by those who served Canada in the defence of freedom’. Your search here may reveal information such as your ancestor’s service number and burial information. You may even find or contribute photographs of your ancestor to this memorial.

Hopefully these suggestions will help you honour the memory of military personnel in your family.

This article was originally printed in the Bergen News and is being reprinted with permission.