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World War One Research

Do you have a particular ancestor who served in the military that you have always wanted to know a little more about? Now that the centenary commemorations of the First World War have passed, you may have thought about your own family members who took part in the conflict. If you would like to find out more about them, do contact us to discuss what you would like researched.

We have a great deal of experience in First World War History, from building and maintaining three war memorial/home front web sites to taking groups around the Battlefield sites in France and Belgium.

Mike Royden has also recently had published a book on The Home Front During the First World War, sections of which are available for download on this site. There are numerous biographies of soldiers on the war memorial websites, plus articles in the left hand column to give an idea of expertise and what could be discovered.

We use a range of sources to produce a soldier's story, which will include copies of documents, maps and photographs where relevant.

Do contact us with any information you have about your ancestor, such as his regiment, his service number and any other personal details.

Discover your Roots and Ancestry

If you have always wanted to find out more about your ancestry and to bring to life your own personal 'Who Do You Think You Are?' record, we offer a professional, comprehensive and friendly service.

For example, you may wish to have a single, one-name family line traced, or two or more of your grandparents lines researched - whatever your requirements, we aim to provide you with a record to treasure as a family heirloom.

In each case you will receive a file with detailed reports, a family tree, ancestral charts and birth and marriage certificates. You will also receive on disk all of the research data, and a digital copy of your tree that can be uploaded to most of the popular family tree packages, so you can preserve your files on your own home computer.

If your ancestors are from near to our base in the Merseyside / West Cheshire area, we can also offer guided tours where you can visit the former homes, sites and locations frequented by your family members.

First World War

Articles relating to the Home Front and battlefield experience, including numerous soldier's biographies from various war memorial projects.

Farndon War Memorial

Farndon is a village approximately six miles south of Chester. This site is concerned with the history of the village during the war and the men of the local war memorial.

Ellesmere Port War Memorial

This is an extensive site covering Ellesmere Port during WW1. There are numerous biographies of soldiers which gives an idea of what type of research is possible.

Halewood War Memorial

Halewood is known for its Ford Jaguar Factory and Everton Footbal Club's Finch Farm training complex. This site covers the village during the First World War.



Testimonials

Mike
Having now had the chance to look through the files you gave me, I wanted to thank you for all your work on this project as well as for the wonderful tour you gave us last Sunday morning. Tony and I learnt a lot and, more importantly, gained a much better feel for the environment in which first Frederick, then John, worked in those years, even though so much has changed since. Not least, we learnt that we had both utterly misunderstood what the job of “dock gatekeeper” was. It was also great to see Liverpool looking so much livelier than I remember it a decade or so ago, as well as seeing sunshine.
Simon Mollett

Dear Mike,
Thank you for the wonderful information you unearthed about the Molletts.I had no idea what to expect from the brief you were given and the tour certainly delivered everything I'd hoped for and more. We all enjoyed it hugely.
Marian Mollett

Mike,
How on earth can I thank you for all the info you have sent to me. It is my wife's family history and you reduced her to tears reading all the facts. She can only recall her grandmother telling her that her grandad was awarded the Crois de Guerre for carrying a Belgian officer on his back whilst under gun fire. Elisa was informed by the war office that George had been missing in action and it wasn't until 6 months later that she heard again that he had been found in a Belgian hospital being nursed by Nuns. Thanks once again for all your help.
Barry Bramhill

Dear Mike
Thank you so much for all that information. It explains a lot and I must admit to shedding a tear or two when I read William's story. It has made me more even more determined to visit Etaples!
Lesley Milsom

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