The Commonwealth War Graves Commission database is an important resource for family historians researching burials connected with the First and Second World Wars.

In this talk, Kathy Kirkpatrick will explain what the CWGC database contains and how to make the best use of its search tools. Although many entries relate to military burials, CWGC cemeteries and records can also include civilians, diplomats, medical personnel, volunteer aid workers and women. Some military burials in civilian cemeteries are also recorded.

Kathy will explore different ways to approach the CWGC search engines, including how to look for named individuals, unknown burials and those commemorated on monuments to the missing. The talk will include photographs of headstones and lists of missing from several CWGC cemeteries in Italy, as well as guidance on further research possibilities, identification work and CWGC outreach programmes.

What you will learn:

• What the CWGC database includes
• How to search the database using different approaches
• Why some non-military burials appear in CWGC cemeteries
• How unknown burials and monuments to the missing may support your research
• What further research and outreach resources are available through the CWGC website.

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