Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) played a significant role in World War I, with more than 600,000 Canadians serving in the conflict. If you have ancestors who served in the CEF during WWI, you might be interested in learning more about their experiences and contributions. Fortunately, Ancestry has made it easier than ever to research your Canadian WWI ancestors through their CEF files database.
The CEF files database on Ancestry contains digitized copies of over 600,000 individual service files for Canadian soldiers who served in WWI. These files include valuable information such as enlistment dates, next-of-kin, physical descriptions, service records, medical history, and even some personal letters and photographs.
To begin your search, you can start by entering your ancestor's name in the search bar for the collection here or on the Ancestry homepage. If you have trouble finding your ancestor's file using their name, you can also try searching by regiment or battalion. It's also important to note that not all CEF files are available on Ancestry, so if you can't find your ancestor's file, you might need to check other sources such as Library and Archives Canada.
Once you have found your ancestor's file, take some time to carefully review the information contained within. You might be able to learn about their military career, the battles they fought in, their injuries or illnesses, and even their personality traits and personal interests. You can also use the information contained within the file to trace your ancestor's movements and to uncover additional records and sources.
The CEF files database on Ancestry is an invaluable resource for anyone researching their Canadian WWI ancestors. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these soldiers and can help to paint a more detailed picture of their service and sacrifice. So if you have ancestors who served in the CEF during WWI, be sure to take advantage of this valuable resource and start exploring their stories today.
