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The SDFHS Blog

Basic sources for tracing World War II soldiers

Posted on 13th December 2013

The SDFHS Military Advisor, Col Iain Swinnerton, summarises basic sources for tracing British soldiers who served in the Second World War (Note: the details below apply equally to women) Service Records All records of post-1920 servicemen are confidential and remain with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) They are available free of charge to the man himself However, in recognition of the duty of care owed to the family of the deceased subject, for a period of 25 years following the date of death... more

Sherborne Festive Shopping Day

Posted on 8th December 2013

Our Family History Centre in Sherborne was open today for the town's Festive Shopping Day We were selling new and second-hand books on family/local history, providing tea/coffee and home-made mince pies, and our Volunteers were on hand to give advice on research There was a lovely Christmassy atmosphere, with peals of bells from the Abbey, and carol-singing around the crib at the Conduit, just outside our door The main street, Cheap St, was packed with shoppers taking advantage of special... more

Family Wedding – Chicago Style

Posted on 7th December 2013

Before going to the USA for a family wedding Barbara Elsmore wrote here about a charming family tradition She now summarises her visit and reflects on the importance of family connections, past and present Just back from my nephew’s wedding held in a swish, downtown hotel in Chicago It was certainly different from anything I had been to in the past but then our own, once familiar, wedding ceremonies are evolving with the changing times The minister talked of the young couple’s heritage... more

Basic sources for tracing World War I soldiers

Posted on 30th November 2013

As the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I approaches, Col Iain Swinnerton, SDFHS Military Adviser, summarises the basic sources for tracing and identifying soldiers who fought in the War The Medal Rolls Every soldier who served in a Theatre of War received at least the British War Medal and the Victory Medal However, you must remember that many soldiers did not go overseas or did not do so until the war was over, when they were sent to join the Army of Occupation in Germany, so... more

SDFHS Mid-Somerset Group at ‘Arch’ive Explored’

Posted on 18th November 2013

Ann-Marie Wilkinson, the SDFHS Chair, reports on an event in Wells Saturday 16th November saw seven members of the SDFHS Mid-Somerset Group in Wells helping at the “ARCHI’VE EXPLORED” Event The whole event was organised by the Wells City and Cathedral Archivist, Dr Julia Wood She had been on Radio Somerset publicising the event in the morning and even gave our Society a plug The event was spread across venues in Wells Steve Wilkinson, Paddy Thomson and Peter Welch were in the... more