2Trafalgar
Author of
apps.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ trafalgarancestors This free National Archives database records more than 18,000 individuals who fought in the Battle of Trafalgar, drawn mainly from ships’ musters. Results include service histories and biographical details, where known. There’s a TNA research guide to records of the Napoleonic Wars ( nationalarchives.gov.uk/ records/looking-for- subject/ napoleonicwars.htm), which links to related subjects and you could also try the Genuki-hosted Trafalgar Roll ( genuki.org.uk/ big/eng/ Trafalgar) compiled from awards made to the seamen who fought with Nelson, which lists commanding officers, crew and casualties. “For our ancestors, the first Great War was fought from 1792 to 1815, ending with the Battle of Waterloo. What was it like to be a soldier, as many of our forebears were, at this tumultuous time? I needed an answer for my research on the 30th Foot and when exploring Napoleonic Lives.
“The most stimulating of the many websites I used was definitely napoleon-series.org. The homepage conveys the range of material on this site, some definitely for the expert, but much is designed for a more general interest. The list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ demonstrates this range, and I would particularly advocate ‘Recommended Sources’ as a good starting point. Accessing the ‘Discussion Forum’ produces more ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. These guide the user who wants to post a question.
“Answers will be full and informed and may open up fascinating lines of discussion, as I know from my own experience.”