British Military - What Do I Want to Know?

What regiment did my ancestor serve in?
Was my ancestor an Officer? Was my ancestor a Soldier?

Did my ancestor serve in the Militia or was a volunteer?

Can I find life events or family relationships in military records?
Most valuable British Army records that may help me find life events or family relationships for my British Army officer ancestor 

Most valuable British Army records that may help me find life events or family relationships for my British Army soldier ancestor

Was my ancestor in the Militia or a Volunteer?
RECORDS FOR FINDING MILITIA, VOLUNTEERS &amp; YEOMANRY REGIMENT NAME OR NUMBER


 * 1) Soldiers' documents (Militia, by County): 1760-1881; W.O. 97; FHL has pieces 1-1182; 1209-1279, 1760-1854 only with some alphabetical arrangement
 * 2) Militia Attestation Returns; whole military (with attachments): 1806-1915; W.O. 96-all; alphabetically arranged.  The National Archives
 * 3) Army Establishment; Militia, Yeomanry &amp; Volunteers Allowances: 1793-1799; 1817-1927; Pay Master General (PMG) #13, pieces 1-50.
 * 4) Muster Books &amp; Pay Lists; Militia &amp; Volunteers: 1780-1878; W.O. 13; pieces 1-4675.
 * 5) Depot Description Books - Militia Records, including Officers' Services: 1759-1925; W.O. 68, pieces 1-568; FHL has many of these - helpful enlistment place for soldier is known.
 * 6) Militia Attestation Returns; whole military (attachments): 1806-1915; W.O. 96, pieces 1-1522; arranged alphabetically.
 * 7) Royal Hospital Chelsea Regimental Registers of Admissions - Out-Pensions: includes Militias
 * 8) Home Office - Military Internal Defence (Militia &amp; Volunteers): 1782-1840; H.O. 50, pieces 57-363.
 * 9) Militia Entry Books - Commissions, appointments, warrants: 1758-1855; E51
 * 10) Quarter Session Records (of each shire/county): most have militia lists or sometimes lists of able-bodied men from the ages of 16-60; some are in print.

Did my ancestor receive a pension?
Search the WO 97 records to determine if ancestor received a pension. Search the following:


 * British Army Service Records, 1760-1915
 * Regimental Registers of Pensioners 1717-1857:; W.O. 120