Treehouse Genealogy
Building on your Ancestral Roots
Researching your WW2 Air Force Ancestors
During WW2 Men from throughout the Commonwealth & beyond would sign up to serve with the Allied Air Forces. This often-dangerous job would take many of them across the world & would see them fighting alongside men from other nations. This being the case tracking down relevant records can often be tricky.
During her presentation Clare will tell the story of a crew shot down over France in 1944, showing the sources and documents used to piece their story together.
What will be covered:-
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Breakdown of the Air Force & Trades
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Where to find Service Records
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War Medals
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Records at the National Archives
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Air Force Lists
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Squadrons & Stations
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Researching Operations
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Publications useful in your research
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Air Force Historic Branch
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Combat Reports
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Luftwaffe Combat Archives/Pilots
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Commonwealth War Graves
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Looking for Memorials
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Evaders & POWs
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Newspapers
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Subscription Websites
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Museums, Squadron Associations & Overseas Archives or holdings
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Oral Histories
Discover the extraordinary level of detail hidden within this crew’s story.
Of the crew of 7 men, 2 were killed in action, 1 was captured & the rest evaded capture, hiding out from the Germans until the area was liberated.
This Presentation lasts approx. 50 Minutes with extra time for Questions
A Digital Handout is available after the presentation.
Your speaker Clare Wilson is a Professional Genealogist, born into the RAF Family, through her own Family History Research she would discover a WW1 Ace who was awarded a D.C.M., a family member who was shot down over Germany during WW2 whilst serving with Bomber Command & more about her Fathers Service during the Cold War Period.
She would go on to work with 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Association as their Archivist, become a part of the Research Team at the Aircrew Remembrance Society & would work with Organisations & Museums across Europe assisting them to find out more about the lives of those who had been shot down over enemy territory.
On the 75th Anniversary of VE Day she launched the ‘Barmby Moor War Dead Project’ a research project which saw her tell the stories of the 54 Air Force Men who are buried at St Catherine’s Churchyard in Barmby Moor, Yorkshire.
In 2022 she was honoured to attend the Military Funeral of an Airmen shot down in 1940, whose remains were found in the 1990s. Having researched the man’s family and traced living relatives he was finally given the funeral that he so deserved.
Clare has worked with Clients worldwide, assisting them to learn more about their own Air Force Ancestors & in 2021 created a dedicated website named ‘Allied Air Force Research’ as a way to promote her services, highlight the projects she works on, publish blog articles & offer tips & tricks to assist others with their own research.
📅 When: Wednesday 2nd September from 7pm GMT (12pm Mountain/2pm Eastern)
💻 Where: Online (access from anywhere via Zoom Link)
🖋️ Who Should Attend: History lovers, Family Historians/Genealogists, anyone with Air Force Ancestors
Cost
The presentation is available for £10, dont worry if you miss the event, the recording will be available for
7 days thereafter.