The anniversary of the start of the First World War last year encouraged a huge surge of interest from people investigating the part their ancestors played in the conflict.

And now, one of the world’s biggest family genealogy websites, Ancestry.co.uk has added two collections of war diaries to its archives – the World War One war diaries covering France, Belgium and Germany (1914 to 1920) and WW1 war diaries from Gallipoli and the Dardanelles.

The first collection documents British and colonial units serving in operations between 1914 and 1920 (including Russia) at home and in the colonies. It also includes British military missions and armies of occupation operating between 1919 and 1920. The Gallipoli and Dardanelles diaries record operations for British and colonial units serving between 1914 and 1920.

If you have ancestors that were involved in those operations, then undoubtedly the diaries will reveal interesting information about those times and add to your knowledge of your family.

There are lots of other sources information for WW1, including The National Archives at Kew. You can visit the archives in person – there is no need to book and entrance is free (opening times 9am to 5pm). The National Archives holds detailed research guides for history research and an ever-increasing collection of online records, all of which can be explored for free.

And finally, if you are in any doubt Finders International can verify your family tree for you. We are often asked to check research before the distribution of an estate or to assist with the application for a missing beneficiary indemnity policy. Contact us to find out more.