Research - what do I do next?
When new to the world of military research it can seem quite daunting, certainly with the myriad of varied resources available. This is a quick "beginner's guide" to the basic, first on-line steps in researching a relative or research subject who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in WW1.
Step 1 - the usual place to start, assuming you have a name or service number to kick things off with, is to obtain the attestation papers. These are the forms that the soldier completed when first signing on.
The front and back pages of the form are available for viewing on-line from the 'Library and Archives Canada' search page. Place as much detail in to the relevant fields as you can (if you have a service number, then just that would be more than sufficient).
Step 2 - the original and complete service records (full files) are held in Ottawa and can be ordered from them, on-line, by post, or fax from 'Reproduction Services, Library and Archives Canada'. These will usually include the attestation papers, the medical records (if the forms survived), service history, awards records and death records. However, please note that the files are being digitised and all will be available on-line in 2016. As such, some are available now. Just look out for the 'Digitized service file - PDF format' link in the upper right corner of the search return page.
Alternatively, a researcher can be used to find, order and send to you the full service record, and 4cmr.com has no hesitation in recommending the services of Arnie Kay, based in Ontario, for your research needs. His contact details appear in the 'Researchers' section on the Links page (other researchers are of course available and their details can be found on-line).
Step 3 - a stage on from this, and also part of the on-going 'Library and Archives Canada' Microform Digitization program, from December 2011, 'Circumstances of Death Registers - First World War' started to come on-line. These are scans of the original registers for the particulars of a soldier's death. As part of the 'Microform Digitization' project, presented with the intent of producing a records 'reading room' experience, this is not a database resource, and therefore has no search function, or indeed an index at this time.
The 94 numbered files, starting at '1. 31892_B016771' surname 'Aaron', and ending at '94. 31892_B016770' surname 'Sims' (SI to ZZ catalogues did not survive) need to be accessed and scanned back and forth amongst the pages to locate the section of alphabet and then surname. And much like the microfilm experience, the scans were not entirely straightforward in terms of A to Z. Some records appear on the end of runs that should be earlier, or on a following 'reel', so be patient and persevere with each set of records. You will find what you are looking for, if it is there, even if you have to work either side of where you would expect the record logically to be found. However, to aid your search, I have produced an index that may be of some help. I hope that the 'LAC' will take this step themselves in due course.
A similar situation exists for the 106 files of the 'Commonwealth War Graves Registers, First World War' microform resource. This presents the burial / cemetery records for each CEF soldier killed. I may be able to post an index for these in due course.
Commonwealth War Graves Register
Circumstances of Death Register
So, that's where your on-line search can start. Please feel free to use the resources listed on the Links page to explore some of the other facilities available 'out there'. The regimental history is now available, free, on-line; the link for this is listed below in the 'Bibliography' section. I have also transcribed the Nominal Roll, so if you require a quick return on details of a 4th CMR soldier, do write to me as I can be of some limited assistance. Happy hunting.