Useful web sites

Book Support Page
for digging for Diggers -- and for general military research

On this page we provide hyperlinks directly to websites which may be of use to researchers. Simply click on the subject directly below to go to the list of links for that subject. To return to the top of this page just click on the [TOP] link at the end of each subject.


Medals	Australian War Memorial	Australian Family History and Genealogy on the Internet
Imperial War Museum	Commonwealth War Graves Commission	Office of Australian War Graves
First AIF Order of Battle 1914-1918	National Archives of Australia	Australian Light Horse Association

Addresses and Opening Hours http://www.naa.gov.au/Publications/fact_sheets/FS01.html
Includes phone numbers; addresses-postal, location and email; hours of opening; and extended hours and services for the National Reference Service in Canberra and the Reading Rooms in all capital cities.

RecordSearch http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/recordsearch.html
RecordSearch is the National Archives collection database. It contains descriptions of 80,000 collections (called series) and more than 3,770,000 record items as well as details of about 9,000 creators and depositors. Digital copies of records can be requested online.

Archives around Australia http://www.archivenet.gov.au/archives.html
A selection of some of the thousands of Australia's individual archives-including government archives, archives of public and private institutions, manuscript collections and personal archives, as well as archival organisations.

http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/~rmallett/index.html
This document is intended to provide a reference tool for the reader or researcher of Australian military history and for the genealogist. It lists the units and formations of the First AIF along with information about them including where they were raised, when they departed Australia and where they served.

OAWG acts as Australian agent for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
(includes the Debt of Honour Register)

http://www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/search.aspx
The Commission was established by Royal Charter in 1917. Its duties are to mark and maintain the graves of the members of the forces of the Commonwealth who were killed in the two World Wars, to build memorials to those who have no known grave and to keep records and registers, including, after the Second World War, a record of the Civilian War Dead.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/index.htm
The Imperial War Museum is unique in its coverage of conflicts-especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth-from the First World War to the present day. It seeks to provide for, and to encourage, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and 'war-time experience.' The Museum spans a huge range of activities. Example http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/books/pdf/BK321.pdf provides information on the Imperial Camel Corps.

http://www.nla.gov.au/oz/genelist.html
Prepared by the National library of Australia. Helpful for people researching their family history or undertaking genealogy research. These Australian sites contain a variety of information relating to family history and genealogy. They also provide links to other informative sites both in Australia and overseas.

Research Centre http://www.awm.gov.au/research/research.htm
The Research Centre is the single most important resource for researching Australia's military history. It is the first point of contact for all public inquiries about Australian military history and the Memorial's collections. Note that if you wish to physically visit, the Research Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm. Retrieval of records ceases at 4.15 pm. It is closed on Sundays and ACT public holidays.

Family history sources
http://www.awm.gov.au/research/infosheets/family_history.asp
This information sheet is a step-by-step guide to the main sources, held either in the Research Centre or elsewhere, for researching the service and wartime experiences of family members.

Personal Service records http://www.awm.gov.au/research/infosheets/service_records.asp
Personal service records contain information about individual soldiers' war service. They are not held by the Australian War Memorial, but copies can be obtained from the National Archives of Australia or other agencies (as outlined).

Collection Databases http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp
The Memorial's collection databases cover objects in their collection. Not all of these items are on display in the galleries. Collections that may be searched online include: Art, Photographs, Film, Sound recordings, Private Records, Military Heraldry, and Military Technology.

Biographical Databases http://www.awm.gov.au/database/biographical.asp
The Memorial's biographical databases have been produced from names and associated information based on records in its collections. Collections that may be searched online include: Roll of Honour for details of Australians who died while on active service with Australian forces. Commemorative Roll for details of Australians who died while on active service with allied forces. First World War Nominal Roll for details of members of the AIF who served overseas during the First World War. Boer War Nominal Roll for details of people in Australian units during the Boer War. Honours and Awards for details of honours and awards made or recommended to Australians while on active service (not information on campaign or service medals).

Australians at war 1914-1918 http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1.htm
An overview of the Australian involvement in WW1 prepared by the Memorial's military historians.

http://www.lighthorse.org.au - a research database and some fairly helpful people who are willing to share information. [A contribution from Jon Oxford]