How to search for female ancestors in the First World War

Start with a simple name search. This is often the quickest way to find a match, and while it might not give you all of the answers straight away, it can help guide your lines of research further. 

Use genealogy websites like Findmypast to search across multiple record sets at once.

Try:

• Full name, including middle names
• Maiden and married names
• Name variations and misspellings
• Approximate birth year
• Location, if known

A woman's name can change through marriage, which can make her harder to trace. The ‘optional keywords’ feature on Findmypast’s advanced search can help you find the right records for the right women - just pop in any maiden names or other details you might already know.

Female wartime ancestors might appear in various different record sets. Not all of them are military service records.

Censuses

The 1911 and 1921 Censuses are fully searchable on Findmypast, and can help you pinpoint your ancestor before and after the war. They can include details such as if she worked or was married during this time. 

Service records

Checking the British Army Service Records for the First World War might also yield results if your ancestor served with the military. Some of these records include very little detail aside from a name and service number, but others might include addresses or occupations in the army. There are also specific record sets for women in the Navy - if you think the women in your family tree may have served on the sea, these could be a great option. 

Pension records

Pension records for widowed military women are also available on Findmypast and can offer a wealth of history. You can search for her spouse, if you know his name, or use the ‘optional keywords’ feature to find her name listed alongside. These resources might also include details like how her spouse died, references to service records, or any children’s names.

Newspapers can really help to bring your ancestor’s story to life. By searching for her name and narrowing the years down to 1914-1919, you might find family notices such as marriage announcements or obituaries that can help you piece together their journey. 

Not only that, but many local newspapers reported on women's war work and volunteering efforts, fundraisers, or reports of awards and recognition for serving veterans. If your ancestor took on a role during the war, try narrowing your search down to more local history. Even small mentions can add valuable colour and context.

It’s important to keep everything organised when sourcing your records. Building your family tree using platforms like Findmypast can help you keep track of names, dates, and sources, building out a bigger picture of your family history.

You can also use the ‘Tree Search’ feature to see if your ancestor comes up on anyone else’s family tree. Once you’ve scoured your records, you can share your tree with your family, and better understand your ancestors’ experiences together.