National Archive - War Diary Archive - New available downloads

[jainvince]

I have read with interest the successes and difficulties with the new systems such that I haven't as yet updated the spreadsheet which previously summarised those available.

Like many, I haven't mastered the new system but it is amazing what you find. Try the links below for:

A) JRR Tolkein - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/transcripts/people/tolkien_application.htm

The Somme - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/transcripts/battles/division_report.htm

Anybody else had unexpected respnses?

Bernard

[David_Underdown]

Looks with these as if you've been searching the whole of The National Archives' website rather than within Discovery.

The easiest way to build up a spreadsheet of what is currently available is probably to use this search http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_srt=1&_aq=*&_col=2&_cr1=wo+95&_sd=1914&_ed=1914&_ps=15&_advtxt=*

That should give a list of 547 war diaries that are online and whose date coverage includes 1914, ordered by catalogue reference. Then click the "Download" button, and you can get a CSV file of the results (which you can open in Excel or other spreadsheet package), this may take you direct to a download link url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Result/showdwnld?_aq=*&_col=2&_cr1=wo%2095&_sd=1914&_ed=1914&_ps=15&_srt=1&_advtxt=*

Then change the search so you get 1915, then 1916 etc. There will probably be a little overlap between the years, as diaries may cross over, but sorting within excel (or whatever) should allow you to get rid of the duplicates fairly quickly.

You should probably also remove any entries whose descirption includes "described at item level" as this shows it's a piece now broken down into individual items for download.

[spof]

Bernard

I have already got a spreadsheet of all the currently online war diaries. I'll send you a PM.

David

I did similar but just searched for WO 95/10*. 11* ...16* in online items only. End result including the parent piece of items broken down further e.g. Bde HQ is 2382 pieces. It certainly highlights how big a job TNA undertook considering this is only a fraction of the final content.

Glen

[David_Underdown]

Oh yes you had mentioned that elsewhere.