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News and Articles form Findmypast
22 June 2011
New Militia records launched
Adding to our British Army Service Records 1760-1915 collection, we have just published records of over half a million militia members in our Militia Attestation Papers 1806-1915.
Militia Attestation Papers 1806-1915
These records offer a rich source of information to the family historian. Attestation refers to the papers drawn up upon joining. These records were annotated until the solider was discharged so provide full details of time in service. And, since the militia recruits were part-time, there are details of the jobs the men undertook for the rest of the time.
The Militia was a voluntary county-based part-time force for home defence. It ceased to be summoned after the Civil War but was revived in 1757, when the Militia Act established militia regiments in all counties of England and Wales. They have information about birth date and place.
You will often find physical descriptions including distinguishing marks including tattoos. In the absence of photographs, these records are an essential tool in imagining what your ancestors were like - although some of the later records do include photographs. You’ll also be able to see the individual’s signature.
These records are brought to you online in association with The National Archives (TNA). The TNA record series number is ‘WO96’: WO simply indicates that the records were created by the War Office, the precursor of today’s Ministry of Defence.
