WORKSHOP: Researching WW1 Soldiers & Nursing Sisters: Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files
Canadian Expeditionary Force service record(s) are springboard to better understand the context in which the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, and a key primary source to learn about an ancestor who served in the First World War. Using real-world examples, the participants will be given a grounding on how to access, read, interpret, and record a Canadian Expeditionary Force service record with guest instructor Eric Edwards.
This 1 p.m. workshop will follow a seminar at 10 a.m. with the same instructor presenting a basic introduction to WWI research. This follow-up workshop will build upon the information in the seminar to help with hands-on research. Workshop participants will learn how to use specific tools and data (service file and other digital resources) applying the knowledge from Part 1 to put this information in a cogent form allowing participants to “fill in the blanks” of the person being researched. This Workshop will be of value to those people interested in exploring and learning about the men and women of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.
The workshop is ticketed with limited spots. It is recommended participants attend the 10 a.m. seminar before attending Part 2. However, attending both sessions is not mandatory. The morning seminar is open to a larger audience and included with regular admission (FREE with a Huron County library card).
The workshop is $7 + HST to participate (or FREE for Huron County Museum members, not included with regular admission or library cards).
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computer, tablet or other device to follow along and receive live research assistance.
About the Presenter:
Eric Edwards has been researching and recording the history of the 18th Battalion since 2009. He has transcribed the 18th Battalion War Diary (minus appendices) and recorded these entries at his blog and uploaded a PDF version at Archive.org. He has also recorded approximately 3,700 Soldier’s Pages at his blog, has written hundreds articles relating to the social, economic, political, and military history of the members of the 18th Battalion, and curates a Facebook Group with 500 members, focusing on the 18th Battalion.
