Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK, when we remember our war dead.

In a discussion on Bluesky of AI slop in FindMyPast’s new database I have just been answering a question about how to record war memorials and the identities and stories of those listed on them, using free-to-write and free-to-read services, as open content and open, linked, data. It would perhaps be useful to record those answers here. Without using AI.

1. Photographs

Take lots of photos—the whole memorial; each side; each panel or set of names (see the picture of my local Hamstead War Memorial, below); each sculptural element; the memorial from a distance, in its setting (like the picture of Brierley Hill memorial, above). A modern mobile phone is OK for this, if you don’t have a good camera. You may need to go back for a second visit, if one side is badly backlit and in deep shade.

Upload those photos to Wikimedia Commons, and create a category for the memorial if one does not already exist.

Transcribe the names as part of the description on Commons—this makes them searchable. If there are multiple shots in which a set of names are visible, you can transcribe for one and put a link to that from the others.

If the memorial is outside the UK, check the local law on Freedom of Panorama, in case the memorial is still in copyright, in which case skip this step.

Examples: Brierley Hill memorial on Commons; Hamstead memorial on Commons

2. WikiTree

Create a “space” page on WikiTree, the excellent free genealogy site (“space” is what they call any non-biographical page about a topic such as a memorial or cemetery; again, check first that one does not already exist).

The individual WikiTree pages of the people commemorated can then be linked to this, and vice versa, and you can create biographical pages for those commemorated, where none already exist.

Examples: Eyam memorial on WikiTree; Marsden memorial on WikiTree

Unlike most of the other wiki sites mentioned here, WikiTree is not a Wikimedia Foundation project, but is run on similar lines, by its community of contributors.

3. Wikidata

After once again checking for an existing entry, create an new item on Wikidata for the memorial.

If any of the people on the memorial are notable in Wikidata terms, check for existing items (pages) and if none exist, create and populate them, and add them to the memorial’s item. Please try to include coordinates.

Examples: Brierley Hill memorial on Wikidata; Eyam memorial on Wikidata; Hamstead memorial on Wikidata

4. OpenStreetMap

Check that the memorial is in OpenStreetMap (OSM), and if not, add it there. A simple node, or point, will usually suffice.

Examples: Brierley Hill memorial on OSM; Eyam memorial on OSM; Hamsted memorial on OSM

OSM is also not a Wikimedia Foundation project, but it too is run on similar lines by its community.

5. Join them together

Add the ID of the OSM node or way, the WikiTree “space” ID, and the Wikimedia Commons category name to the Wikidata item.

Add the Wikidata ID to the OSM object

Add the Wikidata ID to the WikiTree entry.

Add an image to the Wikidata item and WikiTree page.

Examples: see above.

6. Wikipedia

If the memorial is notable in Wikipedia terms, consider writing an article about it there.

Example: Brierley Hill memorial on Wikipedia

Conclusion

Not all of the examples above have all of the features I describe; they are works-in-progress.

If you can’t do all of the things I suggest, you can at least do some of them. All of the above sites are built by ordinary people like you, making modest but important contributions.

There is a modest learning curve involved in each of the sites listed, but if you can use a word processor, or email software, you can quickly pick up what’s involved.

If you need help, or support, please ask—I’m happy to assist where I can, or to signpost you to local or online groups who will. You can leave a comment below, or find me on Bluesky or leave me a message on Wikipedia.

In memoriam

Remembering my relatives who fought in two world wars, especially Frank Brazier and Eric James Ray, who lost their lives.