Reference Source
(linked to the web page) |
Information for Great
War Researchers
(please submit corrections or
updates to the Matrix Project) |
CEFSG Forum:
Are You Looking for a Soldier?
Main Matrix Page
Matrix Utilities
Recommended Great War Websites
|
General background on how to approach the task of finding
information about Great War Soldiers. Also shown here on
this list are some of the most commonly used resources on the
Matrix Project. |
Library and Archives Canada:
Soldiers of the Great War
Order Soldiers Service File
War Diaries
Search Infantry Battalions
Ship Passenger Lists
On-Line Photographs
Other LAC Research Tools
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Library and Archives Canada has an extensive selection of
information on Great War Soldiers. Start here with these
links to find basic information and then start a detailed
search. For the greatest detail, order a copy of the
soldiers service file from LAC directly (see link provided).
There is a fee for that service (usually $25 to $50) and it can
take 3 to 6 weeks to receive the file. |
Maple Leaf Legacy Project:
Search for
a soldiers grave |
This is a volunteer project, run by Canadians in Ypres,
Belgium. The end result will be a photograph of all
Canadian Soldiers grave markers in all countries. Many
more photographs have been taken than what appear here, so ask
if you don't see the one you are seeking. Also volunteer
to add photos from your community. Note that the country
search is the country where the grave is located and NOT the
country for which the soldier served in the war.
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Search for a casualty
Virtual War Memorial |
If the soldier you are researching was killed in the Great
War then they should be listed in this database. This is
also the database used by the Canadian Virtual War Memorial in
Ottawa. Please note that the cut-off dates for the CWGC
are August 4, 1914 to August 31, 1921 for the Great War and
September 3, 1939 to December 31, 1947 for the World War II.
The CWGC is aware that many soldiers who were wounded in the
Great War died after December 31, 1921 but they can not be added
to the database. It was on August 31, 1921 when the war
was officially ended by an Order in Council.
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Records Located in the UK
The London Gazette
UK National Archives |
As Canada was fighting as a British colony, many Canadians
fought in British units and likewise some UK Nationals fought
with Canadian Units. Generally any gallantry awards or
promotions are recorded in the London Gazette. It takes
some time to learn the art of searching the Gazette, so be
patient. It is also wise to check the UK National Archives
in the event your soldier did serve in the UK forces at any time
or was decorated by the British Army.
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Canadian Census Records
1901
1906
Northwest Provinces Only
1911 Canadian Census |
It is often an necessary to locate the soldier that you are
researching in order to confirm that you have the right person.
The census records are a useful tool in that exercise.
Also note that many of the census records are now also linked to
the Great War records of the named soldier. This is a
volunteer project so you can offer to assist in the linking
project or the transcription of census records.
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Canadian Great War Soldier Blogs
Soldiers of the
Great War |
These blogs are from members who have done research on
specific soldiers. The concept was to keep a standard
title format so that anyone could find a CEF soldier in that
list. Some of the more prominent Canadian soldiers are
listed here, such as the first killed, the last killed and our
"Centenarian Soldiers". If you have done a private blog on
your soldier, be sure to send in the link so it can be added
here. You will see the format is
"cefww1soldiername.blogspot.com" where the name is the first
initial and last name.
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