HISTORY SEARCH: Darlington resident Phil Anwyll talks to historian Stephen Nicholson during a First World War drop in event at the town’s library. Picture: STUART BOULTON
THE ancestors of young men who died in the First World War were able to find out more about their lives as part of a special family history event.
Experts were on hand at the Centre for Local Studies, in Darlington’s Crown Street Library to guide people through the resources available to delve into the past.
Stephen Nicholson, who has carried out research on more than 1,000 men and boys killed during the Great War for The Northern Echo’s The North East at War website, gave advice on accessing war records and war diaries.
He said he has seen a resurgence in people researching their family history as the internet has made it easier than ever to access information.
“This rise in interest has been coming for a few years as the 100th anniversary approaches,” he said.
“Some of the websites I used when I first started doing research you had to plod through for hours to find what you were looking for but now they are much more accessible.
“It would have been virtually impossible to do the research I’ve done for the North East at War website 20 years ago.”
His research has seen him build up a picture of each soldier’s life both in the military and as a civilian, using war diaries and records to pick up as much information as possible, however trivial.
“It doesn’t matter how small a detail is – it adds to the picture of each man’s life,” he added.
The event also included the first public showing of Rolls of Honour formerly displayed at St. Hilda’s Church, Albert Road School and Trowsdale & Stephensons for the first time in many years.
The three Rolls will remain on display in the Centre for Local Studies for the next four years.
To access information about the North-East soldiers killed during the First World War visit thenortheastatwar.co.uk
