National Archives of Canada

[Heilan Lass]

If you are researching ancestry in Canada from outside that country, the Library and Archives Canada website is a very useful starting point:-

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-906-e.html

Also, a simple Google search for BMDs in a particular territory can take you to some useful links e.g. I was looking for a relative's death in Manitoba so keyed in "Manitoba BMD records" and almost the first link that appeared was for a free searchable database of BMDs (one of the most user-friendly databases I've used).

 

[Katie Bee]

I agree, Helian Lass, The Library and Archives Canada is a very good site.
As well as the genealogy section, there is access to the various census databases and a military section with information on soldiers of the first world war.
I think I have just about covered everything, as Helian Lass said, a very useful starting point.

 

[Britjan]

LAC is now about half way through reviewing and digitising all their WWI soldier records. They also have a very lively blog which they update with references to materials in their complete collection. Of interest to anyone with connections to WWI is a recent blog on the Battle of Jutland.

 

[Britjan]

Hot off the press from LAC " The new database, now called “Personnel Records of the First World War”, provides access to the service files of members of Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) along with records for other First World War personnel.
The new database includes records for the following groups:

• Canadian Expeditionary Force
• Imperial War Service Gratuities recipients
• Non-Permanent Active Militia
• Rejected CEF volunteers
• Royal Newfoundland Regiment and Forestry Corps

Discover the Personnel Records of the First World War collection today!"
The CEF files are still being reviewed and the next three data bases are not digitised or scanned. The last data base is accessed via an external link.

 

[Britjan]

Another useful resource from LAC is a PDF of the starting service number for each regiment. I used this very successfully for a soldier where there was no scanned record package attached to his attestation papers. Having determined the regiment he was assigned when he enlisted I could check the war diaries and then look for the soldier with the service number preceding and following his number. Both had attached records so I was able to make some educated guesses about my man. Just a reminder that Commonwealth soldiers were often moved through a variety of regiments and have more than one service number.