Muster rolls
In the 16th and early 17th century every able-bodied man aged 16 – 60 was liable for military service. A general muster was called annually to count men and arms available. We hold some records for:
- Hundreds of Edwinstree and Odsey, 1583 – 1598 (6990)
- List of Aspenden men, 1651 - 1575 (DP/8/8/1)
- List of officers and soldiers Hertford, 1690 (79902)
- 'Muster Books for North and East Hertfordshire 1580 – 1605',
Hertfordshire Record Society, 1996.
Militia Lists 1757 – 1801
These names lists are important for family history. Returns were sent to the Quarter Sessions, where balloting took place to decide who would serve in the militia, initially for three years.
You can find militia lists and returns in our archive catalogue or visit the archives to view printed copies, published by Hertfordshire Family History Society.
Voluntary and Territorial Forces
Discover the records of the Territorial Forces in Hertfordshire, including records of the Hertfordshire Militia, Infantry, Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Home Guard and Army Cadets.
The records relate to the Territorial Forces while serving at home and overseas, during times of peace and war, from 1663 - 1994. They include photographs, service records, diaries, recollections and official records.
Military Service in the First and Second World war
Personnel records
Surviving records of those who fought in the First World War can be found on Ancestry (free in Libraries) and Find My Past (free in libraries).
Herts at War Project (HAW) commemorates those from Hertfordshire who served and died in the First World War
The National Archives has produced a guide to personnel in the Second World War
Rolls of honour
Some parishes have printed rolls of honour naming those who died in the two world wars. You can view them at the archives or find the lists in the archive catalogue.
Absent Voters Lists, 1918-1931
These electoral registers give invaluable information that might not be available elsewhere, including rank, service number and regiment. Search the 'miscellaneous names' index of Hertfordshire Names Online.
Army, Navy and Air Forces Lists
These are annual published lists of those officers serving with the armed forces.
- Army Lists – July 1942, 1914, 1967 onwards
- Navy Lists – 1967 onwards
- Air Forces List – 1967 onwards.
See the full range of publications, which you can view at the archives.