HO338-27-WORLD-WAR-II-BLITZ(Bomb-damaged-building-London).jpg)
Exploding the mysteries of the Bomb Census
Published date: Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:12:00 GMT
Was your family or local area affected by air raids during the Second World War? This talk explains how you can research details of bombing incidents using the maps, photographs and other records originally made for the Ministry of Home Security's Bomb Census, which are now held here at The National Archives. Important sources for researching Second World War bombing are also held in archives elsewhere and the talk shows how this additional information can help you to build up a much richer picture of an incident.
Andrew Janes has worked in the Advice and Records Knowledge department at The National Archives for three years, specialising in maps and related records.
Author: The National Archives Duration: 00:28:53
Further information, show notes and transcript
The untold story of women in the Crimean War
Published date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT
Florence Nightingale was not the only woman in the Crimea - a misnomer in itself as she spent most of the war at the British hospital at Scutari, 300 miles away from the Crimea. Here, Helen Rappaport sheds new light on the many unsung women who followed the British army on campaign - the last time they were allowed to do so. This was the first war in which women were officially organised as nurses, and Helen describes the work of some of the heroic nurses on Nightingale's staff, and their French and Russian counterparts. Then there are the extraordinary exploits of the maverick Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole who came back a national heroine, and officers' wives such as Fanny Duberly, French cantinières, and lady tourists who went to the Crimea to see things for themselves. Helen Rappaport studied Russian at Leeds University before turning her hand to writing. Helen has written a number of historical books and biographies, including No Place for Ladies: the Untold Story of Women in the Crimean War (2007), Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs (2008) and Conspirator: Lenin in Exile (2009). Her latest venture is the Victorian true-crime story Beautiful for Ever: Madame Rachel of Bond Street - Cosmetician, Con-Artist and Blackmailer.
Author: Helen Rappaport Duration: 45:57
Further information, show notes and transcript
The Berlin Wall 1961: the construction 50 years on
Published date: Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT
This talk covers the circumstances which brought about the construction of the wall, what it meant for Germany and the crisis it precipitated in the context of the Cold War. Whilst focusing on 1961, it also covers the period 1945-61 and discusses why and how the wall was built, who built it and what we think of it today. Karim Hussain is a graduate of Warwick University and the School of Oriental and African Studies. He has worked at The National Archives for four years. He is currently a member of the Modern Domestic Records team in the Advice and Records Knowledge Department.
Author: Karim Hussain Duration: 48:13
Further information, show notes and transcript
Railways and the mobilisation for war in 1914
Published date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT
The historian A.J.P Taylor, considering the events of 1914, once argued: 'The First World War had begun - imposed on the statesmen of Europe by railway timetables. It was an unexpected climax to the railway age.' This talk will look at how the railways of Britain and Europe prepared for war in 1914 and how central the railways were to troop mobilisation. Bruno Derrick has been employed by the Public Record Office/The National Archives for 23 years. He has a particular interest in military history and military records, and in records relating to railways, canals and transport, with a particular emphasis on railway genealogy going back to the earliest days of the railways.
Author: Bruno Derrick Duration: 00:37:50
Further information, show notes and transcript
MI5 file release August 2011
Published date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:01:00 GMT
Professor Christopher Andrew introduces the 27th Security Service records release containing 171 files, bringing the total number of Security Service records at The National Archives to more than 4,896. As with previous releases, around three quarters of the records are personal files relating to individuals (KV 2), with the remainder a combination of subject files (KV 3), organisation files (KV 5) and list files (KV 6). The records cover a range of subjects and span the inter-war, Second World War and post-war eras.
Author: Professor Christopher Andrew Duration: 00:13:01
Further information, show notes and transcript
Morale, morality and the Liverpool Blitz
Published date: Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT
This talk uses documents from The National Archives and elsewhere to reveal the steps that the wartime government took to measure the morale of those residents who were facing some of the heaviest bombing of the Second World War. We also use case studies from Merseyside to show how many crimes (serious and minor) were prosecuted during the war; and what happened to individuals convicted of contravening blackout, looting and other wartime regulations. Dr Peter Adey is Lecturer in Cultural Geography at Keele University, and co-director of the Emerging Securities research unit there. He has published extensively on mobility, histories of security, the contours and cultures of air-travel. Dr David J. Cox is Research Fellow at the Law and Criminal Justice Centre, University of Plymouth, and an Honorary Research Fellow at Keele University. He has published widely on criminal justice history and early policing. Barry Godfrey is Professor of Criminology at Keele University. He has published a number of books on the history of crime, and is series editor for The Criminal History of Britain, Praeger Press, and for A Criminal History of the United Kingdom, a six volume set published by Routledge.
Author: Dr Peter Adey, Dr David J. Cox, Barry Godfrey Duration: 39:14
Further information, show notes and transcript
Nineteenth century soldiers: getting the most from online resources
Published date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 GMT
This talk aims to explain the intricacies of soldiers' service records online, in record series WO 97, and how using the records of the First World War is something which should be considered when researching nineteenth-century soldiers. William Spencer is The National Archives' principal military specialist, and has worked for The National Archives for the past 17 years. He is the author of a number of books including 'Army Records: A guide for family historians'.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 37:08
Further information, show notes and transcript
The battle of Towton - a 550-year retrospective
Published date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:00:00 GMT
This talk introduces the biggest battle of the Wars of the Roses, described as 'The largest, longest, bloodiest and most murderous battle ever fought in Britain'. It was the decisive clash in a snowstorm at Towton in Yorkshire on 29 March 1461. A new English dynasty came to the throne with Edward IV's victory, but more Englishmen may have died at Towton than on the first day of the battle of the Somme. The talk outlines the events of that day, looking at some of The National Archives' sources for the battle and examines the participants' motivations. Dr. James Ross is a medieval records specialist at the National Archives. He has a particular interest in the politics of the Wars of the Roses, and the nobility and gentry during the period.
Author: Dr. James Ross Duration: 46:55
Further information, show notes and transcript
Escape and evasion in Occupied Europe
Published date: Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT
Most of the British servicemen taken prisoner by the Axis powers during the Second World War were not liberated until spring 1945. In contrast, a small number escaped from Prisoner of War camps and thousands more evaded capture, eventually making it back to the United Kingdom. This talk focuses on these men, the official organisations established to assist them and the civilian-run escape lines, while case studies are used to highlight the resourcefulness and courage of those concerned. Alan Bowgen has worked at The National Archives since 1996. He is a member of the Military, Maritime and Transport team and specialises in Prisoner of War records.
Author: Duration: 50:33
Further information, show notes and transcript
Heralds and heraldry at The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:12:00 GMT
The National Archives holds possibly the greatest collection of untapped source material for heralds and heraldry in this country. This lecture examines evidence stretching back over eight and a half centuries: seals, illuminated manuscripts, medieval rolls, treaties, grants of arms, state occasions, architectural drawings, military badges and even wooden chests. The result is an astonishing and colourful display of what is often unknown heraldic material. Adrian Ailes is a Principal Records Specialist at The National Archives and in 1997 organised an exhibition on Heraldry in the Public Records. He is a Fellow of the Heraldry Society and an academician of the Academie internationale d'héraldique.
Author: The National Archives Duration: 00:34:45
Further information, show notes and transcript
UFO file release March 2011
Published date: Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT
Dr David Clarke, author of 'The UFO Files' and senior lecturer in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University, reveals the importance of the latest batch of UFO files to be released by The National Archives. The 35 files cover the years 2000-2005 and contain over 8,500 pages of UFO sightings and reports, colour photographs and drawings, RAF investigations, unusual radar detections, parliamentary briefings, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and - for the first time - documents on the government's policy on UFOs. Dr Clarke highlights some of the files' most interesting revelations, including how the UFO phenomenon was discussed at the highest level of government and Security Services worldwide including at the United Nations, and how the introduction of the FOI Act led to the MoD opening the UFO files up to the public for the first time in history.
Author: Dr David Clarke Duration: 00:08:07
Further information, show notes and transcript
INF2-43(1945)_WORLD_WAR_II_(A_Red_Cross_worker_writes_a_letter_for_a_wounded_soldier_in_hospital_1944).jpg)
Damaged, disturbed and dismembered: disability and war in the 20th century
Published date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 GMT
Wars in the 20th century have been responsible for the deaths of millions of people. Still more come back from conflict with permanent disabilities, in body and mind, in need of medical treatment, on-going care and financial support. Drawing on the wide range of materials in the National Archives, Dr Julie Anderson explores the history of people disabled in war in the 20th century. This talk was part of The National Archives' Diversity Week, a series of events and activities aimed at promoting equality and diversity in how we work and what we do. Dr Julie Anderson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of History at the University of Kent.
Author: Dr Julie Anderson Duration: 00:44:26
Further information, show notes and transcript
New files from 1980
Published date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:05:00 GMT
An introduction to newly released files from 1980, covering subjects such as economic policy, the European Community Budget, relations with trade unions, the Iranian Embassy siege and the potential boycott of the Moscow Olympics. These files provide a fascinating insight into government 30 years ago. Presented by Mark Dunton and introduced by Tommy Norton.
Author: Mark Dunton Duration: 00:17:56
Further information, show notes and transcript
.jpg)
Naval medical officers' journals and the history of medicine
Published date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:17:00 GMT
The naval medical officers' journals of ADM 101 provide a coherent view of the beliefs and practices of a body of rank and file medical practitioners during the late 18th and 19th centuries. They provide a valuable source for examining key themes in the history of medicine in the 19th century, such as encounters with tropical diseases and the changing understanding of the causes of disease. The thorough cataloguing of the series has now made it possible to trace individual patients. This talk will analyse a sample of the records to explore these themes.
Author: Daniel Gilfoyle Duration: 00:40:38
Further information, show notes and transcript
The Cabinet Papers 1915-1979
Published date: Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:00:00 GMT
Mark Dunton, The National Archives' contemporary records specialist, explains how anyone with an interest in modern history can get the best out of the Cabinet Papers online resource. This provides access to historical records of the key episodes in 20th century British and international history. Mark also discusses the historical development of the Cabinet, how it works, and the main record series.
Author: Mark Dunton Duration: 00:50:19
Further information, show notes and transcript
The London Gazette - not just the brave and the bankrupt
Published date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Family History specialist Audrey Collins discusses how researchers can get the most out of the London Gazette, Britain's oldest continually-published newspaper. From its first edition, produced in Oxford in November 1665 while London suffered through the plague, it became well-known as the source for official notices. This treasure trove for family and local historians and can reveal details of gallantry awards, notices of bankruptcy, changes of name, and much more.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 00:46:04
Further information, show notes and transcript
Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers' service documents
Published date: Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Military records specialist William Spencer talks about WO 97, one of The National Archives' most popular record series. This series holds detailed and comprehensive military records of over 1.5 million soldiers who served in the British Army between 1760 and 1913. This talk reveals the enlightening information found in the records, for anyone with ancestors who served in the army during this period.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 00:07:19
Further information, show notes and transcript
Forgotten tragedy: The loss of HMT Lancastria
Published date: Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT
On 17 June 1940, HMT Lancastria was sunk by a German bomber while evacuating troops from St Nazaire; over 9,000 troops were packed on board. The exact number of soldiers who died that day will never be known, though even the lowest estimates rank this as the worst British maritime disaster in history, with losses exceeding those of the Titanic and Lusitania combined. This talk attempts to explain why so many who were lost will never be accounted for.
Author: Janet Dempsey Duration: 30:36
Further information, show notes and transcript
Freedom fighters: sources for black loyalists at The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Abi Husainy reveals the African American contribution to the American revolution, using documents and concrete examples found in The National Archives' holdings to bring to life the struggles and hardships endured by black loyalists in the pursuit of freedom and the promise of democracy.
Author: Abi Hussainy Duration: 00:23:27
Further information, show notes and transcript
Civil registration and beyond
Published date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Find out how documents held by The National Archives can reveal a fascinating picture of the domestic lives of ordinary people living through the Second World War.
Author: Sarah Hutton Duration: 28:32
Further information, show notes and transcript
The first Afghan war
Published date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT
In this talk, journalist and historian Jules Stewart will guide us through the 1838-1842 period of Afghan history. Just some of the events explored include the Persian siege of Herat with Russian assistance, which Britain feared would lead to an invasion of India through Afghanistan; the issuance of the infamous Simla Manifesto that justified the invasion; the military and political blunders that brought on the uprising in Kabul; the forced evacuation of the Kabul garrison and the destruction of the entire army on the retreat to Jalalabad; and the second invasion by the Army of Retribution and the inconclusive end to the war. The talk will also take a brief look at the second and third Afghan wars.
Jules Stewart has spent most of his professional life in journalism, reporting from more than 30 countries. A graduate of New York University and the University of Madrid, he began his career as an academic, lecturing at two US universities before moving to Madrid, where he spent 20 years as a journalist. After joining Reuters, Stewart re-located to London in 1987, now his permanent home. He has been working as a freelance reporter since 1994. In recent years Stewart has turned his efforts to authorship, producing four books to date on the history of the British on the North-West Frontier and in Afghanistan.
Author: Jules Stewart Duration: 00:31:11
Further information, show notes and transcript
Sailors, storms and science: how Royal Navy logbooks help us understand climate change
Published date: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Dr Dennis Wheeler, from the University of Sunderland, discusses the use of historical Royal Navy logbooks in studies of climate change, focusing on the archival resources rather than scientific conclusions. The Ships' logbooks were the main resource used to monitor the weather in the oceans. Officers onboard kept careful records of the daily, and sometimes hourly, climate conditions. What that means today is modern researchers are able to find out what the weather was like anywhere in the world on a particular day.
This talk was given as part of the Using Archival Sources to Inform Contemporary Debates training course, which was held at The National Archives, Kew, on the 16 and 17 February 2010
Author: Dennis Wheeler Duration: 00:24:59
Further information, show notes and transcript
MI5 file release August 2010
Published date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:05:00 GMT
Professor Christopher Andrew introduces the 25th Security Service records release, which contains 170 files, bringing the total number of its records in the public domain to more than 4,500. As with previous releases, around three quarters of the records are personal files relating to individuals (KV 2), with the remainder a combination of subject files (KV 3), policy files (KV 4) and organisation files (KV 5). The records cover a range of subjects and span the inter-war, Second World War and post-war eras.
Author: Professor Christopher Andrew Duration: 00:15:21
Further information, show notes and transcript
Reforming Central Government: The case of science and technology
Published date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:00:00 GMT
In this paper Professor David Edgerton considers Churchill's approach to science and technology during World War Two and looks at his relationship with the 'Cronies and Technocrats' of the time.
This talk was given as part of the Using Archival Sources to Inform Contemporary Debates training course, which was held at The National Archives, Kew, on the 16 and 17 February 2010.
Author: Professor David Edgerton Duration: 00:25:54
Further information, show notes and transcript
UFO file release August 2010
Published date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 GMT
Dr David Clarke, author of The UFO files and senior lecturer in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University, reveals the importance of the latest batch of UFO files to be released by The National Archives. The 18 files released cover UFO sightings reported to the Ministry of Defence from 1995-2003, and hold copies of original correspondence from members of the public reporting close encounters. Dr Clarke highlights some of the files' most interesting reports, explaining their significance to trends in UFO sightings and how they were dealt with by the Ministry of Defence.
Author: Dr David Clarke Duration: 00:16:41
Further information, show notes and transcript
Treaties in The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT
James Cronan introduces some of the most richly decorated and important documents held at The National Archives. While there is a wealth of information available about the wording and political significance of treaties, this talk instead showcases the types of treaties; their form, signatories, storage, seals and silks.
Author: James Cronan Duration: 00:44:25
Further information, show notes and transcript
Disclosure, documentary release and candour in government
Published date: Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT
Jonathan Sumption OBE QC considers the issue of government secrecy throughout English history in his lecture to the Friends of The National Archives. He discusses the evolution of freedom of information, from Roman times to present-day press leaks, and debates whether disclosed documents may become less meaningful if officials and ministers ensure their views are not recorded in writing.
Author: Jonathan Sumption OBE QC Duration: 00:47:51
Further information, show notes and transcript
The South African empire
Published date: Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT
Historian Dr Anne Samson explores South Africa's attempt to build an empire over the past century. The talk examines how successful South Africa was in adapting its desire in line with the changing international situation, moving from physical to expansion to economic, and later ideological, control.
Author: Dr Anne Samson Duration: 00:23:41
Further information, show notes and transcript
Highlights of Security Service files released at The National Archives
Published date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT
This is the twenty-fourth Security Service records release and contains 196 files, bringing the total number of its records in the public domain to more than 4,300. As with previous releases, around 80% of the records are personal files relating to individuals (KV 2), with a small number of subject files (KV 3), policy files (KV 4), organisation files (KV 5) and list files (KV 6). The files cover subjects from the pre-war period, the Second World War and the post-war period, dealing with a range of groups and subjects. We apologise for the poor sound quality during the first few minutes of the recording.
Author: Professor Chistopher Andrew Duration: 21:02
Further information, show notes and transcript
Tracing ancestors in Nelson's Navy
Published date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT
An overview of the essential finding aids and documents held by The National Archives which can be used to trace ancestors who served in Nelson's Navy.
Author: Bruno Pappalardo Duration: 34:11
Further information, show notes and transcript
Medieval warfare: sources and approaches
Published date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT
An exploration of how records created by the crown before 1485 can be used to study medieval armies, campaigns and battles in Britain and France. The talk will focus on the records of key battles such as Bannockburn, Crécy and Agincourt.
Author: Adrian Jobson/James Ross Duration: 49:58
Further information, show notes and transcript
Civilian honours and awards
Published date: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT
The London Gazette is a crucial source for announcements of military and civilian honours and awards. This talk explains how to use and get the best out of the Gazette, and how further information about awards can be found among the records held by The National Archives, many of which are now available online.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 17:24
Further information, show notes and transcript
Internment
Published date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT
On the declaration of war on 3 September 1939, some 70,000 Germans and Austrians resident in the UK became classed as enemy aliens. This talk looks at official papers relating to the tribunals, the policy of internment, individual internees, and the camps in which they were interned.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 40:03
Further information, show notes and transcript
GIs and POWs: Kew in the Second World War
Published date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 GMT
Local historian Christopher May reveals the wartime history of The National Archives' Kew site. American servicemen stationed here created the maps used in the Normandy landings of 1944. Later, the same buildings were used to house Italian prisoners of war who helped to clear bomb damage in London.
Author: Chistopher May Duration: 36:58
Further information, show notes and transcript
The battle that frightened Churchill: the war in the Atlantic
Published date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT
On 3 September 1939, the passenger liner Athenia was sunk by U30. So began the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest and most complex campaign of the Second World War. The battle pitted the submariners of the Kriegsmarine against the Allied merchant fleet who were providing Britain's vital life line. This talk follows the changes in fortune of both the Kriegsmarine and the merchant fleet, and explains why Winston Churchill knew that the Battle of the Atlantic was the battle that Britain could not afford to lose.
Author: Janet Dempsey Duration: 45:05
Further information, show notes and transcript
Royal Naval medals: an introduction
Published date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT
This talk discusses the Royal Naval medal rolls held by The National Archives in record series ADM 171, and explains how to interpret the most commonly used codes and abbreviations found in them. It also demonstrates how the medal rolls can be used to locate other records relating to an individual's Royal Naval service.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 35:21
Further information, show notes and transcript
The Great Escape: you've seen the film, now hear the truth
Published date: Fri, 15 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT
During the night of 24 March 1944, 76 airmen escaped from the Prisoner of War camp Stalag Luft III. Only three made it home and, of the remainder, 50 were murdered on Hitler's orders. This talk will explain what actually happened in the so-called Great Escape, one of the Second World War's most infamous incidents.
Author: Alan Bowgen Duration: 52:42
Further information, show notes and transcript
Dissecting and cataloguing medical officers' journals in ADM 101
Published date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT
Bruno Pappalardo introduces the collection of medical officers' journals found in ADM 101. These journals give a detailed insight into a ship's daily activities, as well as the science and wildlife that was encountered by British Navy medical officers.
Author: Bruno Pappalardo Duration: 14:33
Further information, show notes and transcript
Royal Air Force service records
Published date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT
Last year saw the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Air Force. The records of thousands of men (and women) who served in the RAF and its predecessors during the First World War are held by The National Archives. This talk will demonstrate how you can use these records to find out more about your ancestors' lives in this pioneering branch of the armed services.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 40:21
Further information, show notes and transcript
Merchant Navy operational records
Published date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Janet Dempsey examines the wealth of records which deal with the tragedy, terror, heroism and honour of the Merchant Navy in both World Wars.
Author: Janet Dempsy Duration: 25:52
Further information, show notes and transcript
Cabinet Papers, 1915-1977
Published date: Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT
Laura Withey (Project Manager) and Dr. Ed Hampshire (Records Specialist) talk about this exciting new project, the new web pages and the records being made available online for the first time.
Author: Ed Hampshire Duration: 17:48
Further information, show notes and transcript
Merchant Navy service records
Published date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT
Was your ancestor one of the hundreds of thousands of men who served in the Merchant Navy, keeping Britain fed and watered? This talk looks at the Merchant Navy records held at The National Archives and how to use them.
Author: Janet Dempsey Duration: 33:17
Further information, show notes and transcript
Security Service document releases
Published date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:05:00 GMT
Over 150 Security Service files dating from around the time of the Second World War have now been opened. Professor Christopher Andrew, Official Historian of the Secret Service, talks about German and Soviet agents and intelligence officers, right-wing extremists and Communists, amongst others.
Author: Professor Christopher Andrew Duration: 26:32
Further information, show notes and transcript
The Special Operations Executive, the French Resistance and the D-Day landings
Published date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT
This talk looks at the results and effectiveness of the British Special Operations Executive, or SEO, and the French Resistance in supporting the Second World War D-Day landings.
Author: Neil Cobbett Duration: 1:01:26
Further information, show notes and transcript
Tracing World War One ancestors
Published date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:30:00 GMT
William Spencer takes you through the key records for tracing your World War One ancestors, including records of women who were nurses or in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 35:37
Further information, show notes and transcript
Tracing pre-1914 army ancestors
Published date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Covering the period from 1760 to 1913, William Spencer discusses the service records of army officers and other ranks.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 34:04
Further information, show notes and transcript
Royal Navy service records
Published date: Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Mark Pearsall covers the main sources for officers and ratings service records in this introductory talk about Royal Navy service records from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 45:02
Further information, show notes and transcript
UFO files from the UK Government
Published date: Thu, 22 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Listen to Dr David Clarke, an expert in UFO history, as he explains the significance of the released UFO files.
Author: Dr David Clarke Duration: 28:19
Further information, show notes and transcript
Secrecy and government records
Published date: Thu, 15 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT
Professor Foot is a noted historian and academic. He is the official historian for the Second World War Special Operations Executive (SOE) and has an extensive knowledge of the background to the requirements for secrecy in government records. This is a rare opportunity to hear the views of a person who has lived with the secrecy of such records for many decades.
Author: Prof. M R D Foot Duration: 23:52
Further information, show notes and transcript
Security Service document releases
Published date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT
From astrologers to oil barons: Professor Christopher Andrew, official historian for the Security Service, talks about espionage and tracking enemy agents.
Author: Professor Christopher Andrew Duration: 22:04
Further information, show notes and transcript
The Navy Board project
Published date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT
Archivist Sue Lumas describes the painstaking cataloguing and conservation of naval records held at The National Archives.
Author: Sue Lumas Duration: 13:51
Further information, show notes and transcript
Sources for army officers' commissions
Published date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Mark Dunton looks at the system for purchasing and selling commissions as it worked from 1800 - 1871. He covers first appointments, promotions, exchanges, retirement, the payment process and the activities of the 'army agents'. He uses document examples to illustrate the talk.
Author: Mark Dunton Duration: 31:30
Further information, show notes and transcript
Army deaths, marriages and births 1761-1913
Published date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Many family trees fall at the hurdle of locating the death of a British soldier, his marriage or the birth of his children. The records available are woefully incomplete, scattered and often not fully indexed. In this presentation, Chris Watts examines the material available for tracing these events, for a pre-First World War British soldier, and guides the researcher in its use; material available on microfiche, microfilm or the Internet is highlighted.
Author: Dr Christopher Watts Duration: 00:40:11
Further information, show notes and transcript
Army deaths, marriages and births 1761-1913
Published date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Many family trees fall at the hurdle of locating the death of a British soldier, his marriage or the birth of his children. The records available are woefully incomplete, scattered and often not fully indexed. In this presentation, Chris Watts examines the material available for tracing these events, for a pre-First World War British soldier, and guides the researcher in its use; material available on microfiche, microfilm or the Internet is highlighted.
Author: Dr Christopher Watts Duration: 40:17
Further information, show notes and transcript
Sources for First World War army ancestry
Published date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Mark Dunton focuses on the prime sources at The National Archives for documenting First World War army service, covering both the officers and other ranks of the British Army.
Author: Mark Dunton Duration: 34:13
Further information, show notes and transcript
Sahib, the British soldier in India, 1750 - 1914
Published date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT
Well-known military historian Professor Richard Holmes examines Indian soldiering in peace and war. He addresses the experience of ordinary soldiers, why they joined up, how they got to India and what they made of it when they arrived.
Author: Professor Richard Holmes Duration: 56:25
Further information, show notes and transcript
