We’ve been a little busy around here and can’t wait to share some exciting changes to the site. At Fold3®, we’re committed to being the premiere source for military records on the web, providing convenient access to records that honor the military heroes in your family tree and worldwide. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve just added 28 million new British military records after acquiring Forces War Records, the leading British military genealogy website.
You will find records dating back to the 1700s. These may even provide clues about your American immigrant ancestors before they arrived in this country. These new collections contain details about regiments, conflicts, military decorations, post assignments, and more. Popular collections include WWI service records and WWI pension cards. WWII researchers will find many new collections detailing the Allied effort during that war.
To access records from specific countries, either select a country from the home page:
Or select from some 200 countries and regions from our search page:
Explore the recently added Forces War Records collections here. For tips on researching British military ancestors, see the Forces War Records blog here. Start searching for your military ancestors today on Fold3®.
How about the rest of the pension records from the War of 1812? I have several ancestors who fought and have been waiting a couple of years so far for last names beginning with “S” and “W” (Sweat and Williams) to be scanned.
Joyce
Hi Joyce. Good news. The National Archives have finally reopened and we are about to start digitizing those files again. It’s been long wait and we are all so anxious!
Have you figured out how to recreate the records that burned up in the warehouse fire? My father was National Guard in the 1930s and made regular Army, sent to Louisiana, discharged in September just before December 7, 1941. His surname started with “S”
Cheryl, There are some great tips in this blog: https://blog.fold3.com/reconstructing-the-past-the-national-personnel-record-center-fire-of-1973/
To: Jenny Ashcraft,
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely, Paul V.Thomas
I am looking for Information on Donald Steel. He was born in 1834 in Scotland. I am looking for Information on Donald Steel’s Mother and Father and the rest of this family.
I’m looking for info on my great-grandfather, Capt. William J. Wilson, who was from N. Carolina, was a POW during the Civil War; would like to know where he was imprisoned (Pigeon Island?), the dates. Thank you.
Thanks, good to hear about the records for Europe! I am also waiting for records from the CW…widows pension records specifically
Am I able to find information from Macedonia & Romania. Paternal Grandfather from this area searching for his family
Are you going to continue with Civil War pensions too? Been waiting several years for those.
I’ve been anxiously waiting too, Gayle. Currently, we do not have an agreement to digitize them. Hopefully, that will change in the future.
Very good news on this welcome addition to the Fold3.com content.
Any news on the status and timing for digitizing the >1943 WWII U.S. Morning Reports?
Brice, we are working with the National Archives to digitize this collection. As of right now, we haven’t signed any contracts. We hope to add this in the future.
Jenny,
Thank you so much for your update. I know many in the research community are absolutely desperate to gain access to these vital records. Any ability to prioritize or expedite their release would be hugely appreciated. Thank you to you and your team for all your work.
My ancestor was was supposably in the British Army during the war of 1812. He did not agree with the British cause, so he deserted his regiment and defected to the United States. He then joined the U.S.Army. Would both the UK and the United States have the information about him? He settled in Pennsylvania.
Pamela, it is certainly possible and sounds so fun to research and find out. Keep us posted.
Hi
Thank you.
Do you have any Records from the rest of my royal ancestry?
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[…] releases clearer English and Welsh 1851-1871 census images* [Fold3] Introducing 28 Million New Records from the UK and other Commonwealth Countries!5) Did you miss the last post in this series – see Genealogy News Bytes – Week of 12 […]
My Italian great Grandfather was said to have been in the Ottoman military around the mid 19th century. I only know his sir name, due to Italy being a data black hole. Is there any access to Ottoman military records around the time of the Crimean war? Story goes on to say he brought home a Turkish bride, so I know he survived.
I’m so excited about the new records. Are the pension records from the Revolutionary War all digitized. Thank you for your time. ~Renee
Hi Renee, the Revolutionary War Pensions are 99% completed.
What records do you have of West Indian regiments stationed in the Caribbean island of St Lucia before and during WWI?
I wish I knew someone that could tell me what all the codes on my fathers paperwork meant! His WWII records were included in that fire. I received a copy of what they had but still have no clue as to where he was stationed (besides San Diego, Calif) or what he did. I know he was a sergeant in the US AAF, but nothing else. He never told us (me and my sisters) anything, how he grew up (besides being orphaned), what he did in the service or where he went, although he did say he flew over pearl harbor the day after and it was a a complete disaster. I lost dad when I just turned 22 and i was the youngest of the 4 girls he raised on his own. When I started my genealogy search, dna proved he was not my biological father, but that doesn’t mean anything to me. I would still like to know about my dad and his military years, but how? I don’t even have the means to pay anyone to find out the information. How frustrating this is.
Well, I apologize, dad was in Fairfield California, not San Diego. My Bad! Looking at the document that I received from the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) it shows:
Hon. Disch. St. Reason of: AR615-365 and then I am assuming a persons signature
that I can not read .
ARMY SERIAL NO., AND GRADE, enlisted or indicted at Phila., PA, Name of C.O. (Hard
to read) 8.8. MAHER JR. M.J. FD.
The form @ the top of document: (FINAL PAYMENT – WORKSHEET)
Also, someone wrote on it: “Or (OR maybe a Q ?) 734 – 32 and someones
initials JHD (?)”
The bottom, left side corner, of document:
WAR DEPARTMENT FORM 372 A
FORM PRESCRIBED BU COMPTROLLER GENERAL, U.S.
11 AUGUST 1945
Hi Lynn, I came across this informative information from the 80th Division that you might find helpful: https://www.80thdivision.com/pdfs/ReadingUnderstandingWWIIDischargeDocument.pdf
Thank you so much, I will take a look!