Research information

Hi guys we all know the internet is a wonderful place for info and a few questions came into my head from a previous post ( See PRO at Kew )

Where are the sources for information both written and internet based.

I assume most people know about Commonwealth War Graves Commission and The RAF Museum at Hendon. Also the Air Historical Branch which I am lead to believe that it was moved to Hendon. (Does anyone have the new contact details)

But what other resources are available. I would suggest posting a list of sources online and written archives so all of us have a better research knowledge.

here goes. I wont list contact details because I dont know every regions news papers etc etc. But if anyone wants details of a resource then please post a question here.

Commonwealth War Graves Comission:- Service persons (and a few civilians) details along with service number and cemetry buried in. Who died during war time.

RAF Museum – Hendon:- Aircraft records including service histories where available and aircraft loss reports. Also airfield plans and maps. Does anyone know what else they do.

Local news papers:- they dont always turn up something as it was bad for moral to hear about accidents all the time. Unless it was big then it would be in the paper. But papers are always a valuable source of information but do not believe all you read. Check the information first before quoting it.

Fleet Air Arm Museum:- Based at Yeovilton they carry some RNAS airfield maps and some records. I have not dealt with them much so dont really know what they have. Does anyone know what they have.

Public Record Office:- Probaly have any record you ever wanted to know about and then some. I personally am interested in the AIR section and the AVIA section as these deal with aircraft airfields and accidents. So anything an aviation researcher could want really. But they do all sorts of records. Really useful if you happen to live near KEW in London.

Police records:- I dont know how accessable these are but I know that a recent research case a friend of mine took on turned up a police report by a local. So I assume the public or perhaps a private researcher can get them.

Fire service records:- As above really. I assume there is some kind of system to get hold of them.

Royal Commission for Historic and Ancient Monuments of Scotland:- I know that they hold Luftwaffe target photos of industrial and military targets in Scotland. This includes marine or aviation works airfields and bridges such as the Forth rail bridge. There must be a similar body in England for these photos. Also the have RAF Recon photos of Airfields etc.

The Internet:- I have found countless records of different things on the internet such as searching for a specific type of aircraft down to searching the serial or pilot of an aircraft. Different search engines bring back different hits so use a couple of search engines and not just one. I use http://www.goggle.com What do you use.

Can anyone add to the list of resources or amend any of the info above.

Regards Merlin