Book research assistance from Linkedin.com
My last post highlighted an intriguing MI5 conundrum. When the question was posted on Linkedin.com, I received the following useful reply. Genealogist Julie Goucher:-
'Have you looked at the MI5 webpage? - https://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/about-us/... Whilst that might not give you the specifics of their interest in your father it might enable you to research from another angle. Have you called for your father's second world war record? These are sealed & available to the service personnel themselves or their next of kin. I successfully obtained my Grandfathers record in 2008 by sending the completed form, the death certificates for both my Grandparents & the next of kin form which my late Mum signed. I also sent a copy of the page from his military pay book with his service number & the cheque for £30. I received the acknowledgment letter advising of a potential 6 month delay, but received the record in two months. Obtaining that record might enable you to see where he was physically serving at the time MI5 called for his file. A few thought - 1. Was the unit to be deployed & did he being part of that unit raise concerns? 2. Was the calling of the file routine during a period of war? 3. Was there a possibility of tasking him with something that was outside of the remit of his usual role? 4. Did he speak any foreign languages, fluently (useful in a time of war)? It could be worth writing to the MI5 office & asking general questions rather than specifically about your father, building an historical case of information in very broad terms. I would especially ask about the closure of MI5 dates 2043 is a long time. Was the last time they looked at his record 1943 & the date 2043 is simply 100 years hence? Armed with hopefully some general answers you could perhaps write enclosing any copies of certificates & ask that you be granted access to his file for historical purposes.'
The site Linkedin.com is proving a useful research tool. Many thanks to Julie Goucher.
'Have you looked at the MI5 webpage? - https://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/about-us/... Whilst that might not give you the specifics of their interest in your father it might enable you to research from another angle. Have you called for your father's second world war record? These are sealed & available to the service personnel themselves or their next of kin. I successfully obtained my Grandfathers record in 2008 by sending the completed form, the death certificates for both my Grandparents & the next of kin form which my late Mum signed. I also sent a copy of the page from his military pay book with his service number & the cheque for £30. I received the acknowledgment letter advising of a potential 6 month delay, but received the record in two months. Obtaining that record might enable you to see where he was physically serving at the time MI5 called for his file. A few thought - 1. Was the unit to be deployed & did he being part of that unit raise concerns? 2. Was the calling of the file routine during a period of war? 3. Was there a possibility of tasking him with something that was outside of the remit of his usual role? 4. Did he speak any foreign languages, fluently (useful in a time of war)? It could be worth writing to the MI5 office & asking general questions rather than specifically about your father, building an historical case of information in very broad terms. I would especially ask about the closure of MI5 dates 2043 is a long time. Was the last time they looked at his record 1943 & the date 2043 is simply 100 years hence? Armed with hopefully some general answers you could perhaps write enclosing any copies of certificates & ask that you be granted access to his file for historical purposes.'
The site Linkedin.com is proving a useful research tool. Many thanks to Julie Goucher.
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