大象传媒

Message 2 - Family Research

Posted on: 11 June 2004 by Felicity Cameron

Thank you. It all started from hearing the story about how he survived but then died of a heart attack a few years later. Unfortunately, I did not get interested in my family tree until it was too late, after my grandmas death (his sister). I therefore have no other story about him so I started trying to find out about him. The only photo I had of him my gran had kept locked away and it was only after her death that it was discovered. I had no other details about him but his name and no other family relative could give me anymore about him and so I started my research using the 1901 census, now on the internet. From there I could work out how old he was and therefore when he was born and by using the Cheshire BMD website (www.UKBMD.co.uk) I found his birth certificate and also after a lot of patience going through the years his death certificate. I then looked on the internet for any sites about Bomber Command and a few let you post messages in hopes that someone may have known him (sadly I have had no reply) but they also gave the address of the RAF Personnel Dept. I wrote to them and they wrote back to say I would need to fill in an application form and pay a 拢25 fee and also get the eldest surving relative to sign as an authority to allow me access to his service records. I was so pleased when they came as I felt a step closer to him, they do not give much away but let you know the squadrons and OTUs that he served with, a brief description on hair colour etc.., any examinations that he took, date started and date discharged. Now I am looking at the different squadron websites to see if they list what Ops they were doing on the dates I have for him being there. There are so many websites that help you with family tree work and I found www.ukbmd.co.uk, www.familysearch.org (inc. free 1881 census)and www.census.pro.gov.uk (1901 census) very helpful. Felicity
jjfcameron@supanet.com