Tracing Your Naval Ancestors

by Simon Fowler

Overview

This concise guide to naval history and naval records is essential reading and reference for anyone researching the fascinating story of Britain’s navy and the men and women who served in it. Whether you are interested in the career of an individual seaman, finding out about a medal winner or just want to know more about a particular ship, campaign or operation, this book will point you in the right direction.

Simon Fowler assumes the reader has little prior knowledge of the navy and its history. His book shows you how to trace an officer, petty officer or rating from the seventeenth century up to the 1960s using records at the National Archives and elsewhere.

The book also covers the specialist and auxiliary services associated with the navy – among them the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm, the naval dockyards, the WRNS and the Fleet Auxiliary. In each section he explains which records survive, where they can be found and how they can be used for research. He also recommends resources available online as well as books and memoirs.

His handbook is a valuable research tool for anyone who is keen to find out about the career of an ancestor who served in the Royal Navy or was connected with it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781848846258
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	12/27/2011
Series:	Tracing your Ancestors Series
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Simon Fowler is a professional writer, researcher and historian, specializing in family and military history. He has made a particular study of the First World War, and has long been interested in how Britain, and Europe, readjusted to post-war conditions. Daniel Weinbrens PhD concentrated on the impact of the First World War on British society. His historical publications include The Open University. A History and The Oddfellows 1810-2010. He has taught courses on war and society at several universities and currently teaches this subject at The Open University.

Editorial Reviews

"a fine addition to a personal or genealogical library for anyone interested in Royal Naval ancestors, British military and any British Isles reference collection because of the sheer number of families with maritime ancestors."

Paul Milner Genealogy