Beselare Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 I was quite happy using the old National Archives website, but the new Discovery website I am find as user-friendly as a cornered rat. Each time I type in what I am looking for, there are over 100,000 entries! Can someone please let me know the correct procedure to obtain an online war diary. For example, if I wanted the 6th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, what words should I use and in which box? (I know the WO number, and I can obtain it that way, but assume I didn't have that nujmber). Many thanks Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 There are some options in its advanced search, but you can still access the old catalogue. From the home page, select "Records" then you will go to a screen that at the moment gives you a chance to select "The catalogue". If you find like many of us Discovery to be a pain, do use the contact options and explain to them why it makes your life so hard. The more that do so, the longer we will have practical and useful access while they sort out Discovery to make it useful, if they ever can. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 Bob Use this most magnificent site Easy to use and it take you straight to the diary http://www.arcre.com/wdsearch I put in "6 oxford" and Hey Presto, in seconds !!! Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 Thanks for pointing out the old path, Keith. I've made my difficulties known. Kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Tucker Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 I also find it is easier to type in the Brigade e.g. 10 Brigade as they bundle together war diaries from the same brigade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 Better get used to Dscovery as the old Catalogue will be removed pretty soon. The easiest way to find a diary is this. I'll use the 1st South Staffords as an example Go to Discovery Click on Advanced Search For your search term in Keyword Options: enter 1 South Staffordshire Further down the page you will see Search Within: enter WO95 Click the floating green Search button on the top right Job done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 Another way to do it is to put the unit title into Google followed by WO 95 and that takes you straight to it in the Discovery catalogue. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 Hi Still easier with the site above, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aradgick Posted 14 February , 2013 Share Posted 14 February , 2013 When searching for War Diaries, I start from this page - www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/war-diaries-ww1.htm Andrewr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beselare Posted 14 February , 2013 Author Share Posted 14 February , 2013 What can I say except thank you very much to everyone. It gives me some peace of mind in knowing that I am not the only one to find Discovery difficult. But as the old system is going to go, I had better get used to it. Graeme - your link to ARCRE was certainly easy to use and I have just registered with them. I hope it will be easy to order online copies from them. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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