Military and Naval Records

Military records are extensive and complex. Backgound information about various campaigns can be found in encyclopedias and books on military history. French Regime In the French North American colonies, defense had rested largely with the parish militias, no large body of records is known to have servived. In 1665, the Carignan - Saliers Regiment was sent to New France. A nominal roll of 400 names was found and published in Jack Verney's The Good Regiment: the Carignan - Salieres Regiment in Canada 1665 - 1668 (1991). Nominal rolls and officer's personnel files for the French regular army in North america are scattered throughout their holdings of records relating to the French Regime. British Records They have acquired microfilmed copies of some of the War Office series relating to British regiments with long service in North America. Records of soldiers discharged to pension can be found in War Office series 97 and 120. Three volumes of the War Office 120 series relating to soldiers who served in Canada have been indexed in Norman K. Crowder's British Army Pensioners Abroad, 1772 - 1899 (1995). Various registers for enlisted men and officers appear in the War Office 25 series. Basic information about British Army Officers can be found in the printed Army Lists, available in larger reference libraries. These date from 1754 and are indexed after 1766. Beginning in 1839 Harts Army Lists, which include details of officers' war service, were also published. Similar publications for the Royal Navy are the Sea Officers, 1717 - 1815 and Navy Lists, dating from 1814. The British Military and Naval Records 'C' Series (RG 8 I) covers the period from the American Revolution to approximately 1867. It contains administrative records, Loyalist muster rolls, references to the War of 1812, British Pensioners, the Rebellions of 1837 - 1838, and the Provincial Marine, as well as a wide variety of other subjects relating to the British army and Canadian Militia. A large portion has been microfilmed and indexed by name and subject. Canadian Militia Detailed personnel files for the Canadian militia were not kept until this century. Earlier records consist mainly of muster rolls and paylists, which rarely contain any personal information. Place of residence might assist in locating passible records, as most units were organized on a county basis. For officers, published Militia Lists date from the 1850's, although the earlier years are incomplete and unindexed. Several series of officers registers appear within our Department of Militia and Defense records (RG 9). These contain more details than the published lists but the regiment must be known before a search can be undertaken.

A variety of records exist for major conflicts, with the most comprehensive series listed below. Microfilmed records may be borrowed through the interinstitutional loan arrangement. Staff can advise you of relevant volumes and reel numbers. Records that are not on microfilm can not be borrowed. For indexed records their Genealogy Unit accepts written requests for search and copies. War of 1812 Nominal rolls and paylists, Upper Canada (RG 9 I B 7; on microfilm) Nominal rolls and paylists, Lower Canada (RG 9I A 4; indexed, not on microfilm) Upper Canada, land grants, certificates of service, pension record, etc. (RG 9 I A 4; not on microfilm) Lower Canada, pensions and land grants (RG 9 I A4; not on microfilm) Rebellion of 1837 - 1838 Muster rolls (M G 13, War Office I 3; on microfilm) Fenian Raids, 1866 and 1870 Canada General Service Medal Registers (RG 9 II A 5; indexed; on microfilm) Fenian Raids Bounty Claims, 1912 (RG 9 II A 4; indexed, not on microfilm) Volunteer Militia Paylists (RG 9 II F 6; not on microfilm) Red River Rebellion, 1870 Canada General Service Medal Register (RG 9 II A5; indexed; on microfilm) Register of Service (RG 9II B4; Vol. 16, microfilm reel T-6955) North West Rebellion, 1885 North West Canada Medal Register (RG 9 II A 5, vols. 11 and 12, microfilm reel C-1863) Special Service Paylist (RG 9 II F 7; not on microfilm) South African War, 1899 - 1902 Queens South African Medal Register (RG 9 II A5; indexed, on microfilm) South African War Service files (RG 38; indexed; on microfilm) Special Service Paylist (RG 9 II F 7; not on microfilm) Land Grant Applications (RG 38; indexed; not on microfilm) First World War Records The National Archives holds attestation registers and personnel service files for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914 - 1918 (RG 150). In accordance with the Privacy Act, information contained in these records may be disclosed for research or statistical purposes. Proof of death and relationship may be required in certain circumstances. Requests should be directed to Personel Records Unit, Research Services Division, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0N3. Researchers with internet access can consult the online nominal index available on their web site: http://www.archives.ca Post First World War Records Formal Access The Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act govern formal access to the military personnel files of regular force personnel serving after the First World War, as well as those on active service during the Second World War and the Korean Conflict. Persons seeking a complete copy of their won service records may wish to apply under the Privacy Act. Those wishing to obtain a copy of a veterans file may with to apply under the Access to Information Act. The veteran must have been deceased for more than 20 years, and proof of death must be provided unless he or she died in service. Such formal requests should be sent to the Personnel Records Se4ction, Access to Information and Privacy Division, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N3 Fee: $5.00 Photocopy charges may be assessed. Informal Access If an individual wishes to receive copies of specific documentation rather than a complete file, informal access may be obtained by sending a written request to the Personnel Records Unit, Researcher Services Division, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0N3. Although no fee is charged for this service, photocopy charges may be assessed. In the case of a living veteran, his or her signed consent is required for the release of personal information. If the veteran has been deceased for fewer than 20 years, limited information may be released directly to a member of his or her immediate family in reply to a written request if accompanied by proof of death and relationship. There are no restrictions placed oninformation relating to individuals who have been deceased for more than 20 years, however proof of death is still required.