As featured in

Who Do You Think You Are

Author article ‘Royal Artillery Tracer Cards’ as featured by

WDYTYA? Magazine, May 2020

Author article 'Abscent Voters Lists' as featured by

WDYTYA? Magazine, November 2019

As referenced in author article 'Researching your WW2 Army Ancestors'

WDYTYA? Magazine, August 2019

As featured in.

Your Family History - Spring 2016

It can be more difficult to find out about World War 2 ancestors than about earlier ones. This book explains what is available at the National Archives, how to obtain service records for individuals and how to expand upon these. There are also useful chapters on the Home Front and overseas.

Genealogist’s Magazine

The author presents a guide to the records which are available about people who served in World War Two.

Bristol + Avon FHS Journal

…is the perfect guide for family historians in this quest. It explains ho to locate and understand these sources, covering the three armed services, the merchant navy, the Home Guard, POWs, women’s wartime organisations and some lesser known ones. Also included are a glossary of service acronyms, information on useful websites, an introduction to the National Archives and details of other useful sources.

The Bradway Bugle

A guide for people researching relatives who served during the war, and how to locate the records that are available. Some of the basic records are illustrated with an explanation of what they contain and what information can be gleaned from them. The three armed services are covered along with the Merchant Navy. The Home Guard, civilian services, prisoners of war, casualties, women’s services, and obscure wartime organisations. Also gallantry and campaign medals.

Roots & Branch, WSFHS, March 2012

More records than ever are available to researchers whose relatives served during the war. And this new book by Phil Tomaselli is the perfect guide to how to locate and understand these sources – and get the most out of them. He explains how, and from where, service records can be obtained, using real examples showing what they looked like and how to interpret them. He also examines records of the military units relatives might have served in so their careers can be followed in graphic detail.

Kent Family History Society Journal, March 2012

Phil Tomaselli’s new guide helps to break down these barriers and provides a comprehensive and easy to use reference book covering the three armed services, the Home Guard, POWs, women’s wartime organizations and lesser-known services. The National Archives is the ultimate source for publicly released information and this guide explains clearly the method of how and where to search for the documents on TNA’s online catalogue and when visiting in person. Tomaselli also provides excellent tips on how other sources such as The London Gazette, RAF combat reports and courts martial papers can provide us with information without having to obtain individual service records. The book is peppered with anecdotes throughout and includes some startling extracts from army unit diaries, POW interrogation questionnaires and Operations Records Books. These true accounts help to break up the more formal prose used to explain records. The contents page includes sub-heading to topic within each chapter allowing you to dip in and out of the book. This guide assists and informs both the beginner and more experienced family historian that with determination, information can always be unearthed.

Family History Monthly, Feb 2012

The Second World War has become one of the most popular and fascinating areas for historical research. With time, the number of records available to researchers has increased. To help unravel the subject for family historians, Phil Tomaselli has produced an excellent guide on how to locate and understand these sources – and get the most out of them. The three armed services are covered, along with the merchant navy. Home Guard, civilian services PoWs, gallantry and campaign medals, and much more

Britain at War, December 2011

An essential reference work for anyone with WW2 ancestors (quite possibly everyone?) researching their family history.

Your Family History , Dec 2011

This looks a good meaty take on the war for genealogists. In flicking through it I have just been somewhat delighted to note there’s a good section on how to search for people at Bletchley Park…

Chris Paton, British Genes Blog

A new and exciting resource for tracing your family in the Second World War, Phil Tomaselli’s book will have something for everyone.

Who DO you Think You Are Magazine, December 2011