www.forces-war-records.co.uk

[spoonybroony]

hi, as we have a few servicemen in our family tree found this site and wondered if the fee (£8.95 per month) is worth it, or can get information just as easily for free elsewhere?

[Currie]

Hello Spoonybroony,

I’ve never used the site but I’ve seen a lot of negative comment, usually along the lines of much of what they have being freely available elsewhere. Here are some examples.

http://abrightonboyblogs.co.uk/2012/07/ ... y+Blogs%29

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.ph ... 123.0.html

http://www.arrse.co.uk/military-history ... erial.html

All the best,
Alan

[MilitaryMan]

Hello and Happy New Year to all.

Please note that Forces War Records have transcribed digital data, i.e. they don't currently hold original images such as pension records etc, though they have added over five million named records and are currently adding over 200,000 records a month.

As for the records they do have a large 'Collections List' that states the collection and information that can be viewed here: https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/collections/list/

Many of these are exclusive and not on any other website such as: British Jewry Book of Honour 1922, Home Guard Auxiliary Units 1939-45, Italian Prisoner of War Camp Records, Bomber Command Ruhr Offensive to name but a few collections. They are also working on lots of material from the TNA that hasn't yet been released on the internet or by any other genealogy website. They also have a Historic Documents Library that already holds over one thousand publications some more than a hundred years old that is automatically cross referenced each time you search for an ancestor or other piece of information on the FWR site, and if anything matches they will show you an article from a publication that also gives you information on your ancestors life.


If you have any questions PLEASE contact the 'Customer support' or 'Live chat' as they are happy to help answer any questions you might have.

Many thanks

[Billiegirl]

My advice is don't use this site. I joined it for a while until I found out they were helping themselves to payments. As above, the information they give you is nothing you can't find elsewhere. In my opinion they purposely hide the fact that you have to go through a process to stop them taking the payments.

I found the whole exercise pretty disgusting considering that people are researching their relatives who offerred their lives for their country. This site makes a sham of those high ideals.