File by file, the archivists at Library and Archives Canada are digitizing the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force service files, and many are thrilled they are doing so.
As of yesterday, they had digitized and posted online 581,553 of 640,000 files — just over 90 percent — in the Personnel Records of the First World War database.
Digitizing the files in chronological order, for the most part, they have reached the surname Vennables.
According to John D. Reid in a recent blog post, there are more files than originally thought. He said files for about 30 additional soldiers have been found and that the number, 640,000, may be closer to 642,000.
Despite this, LAC plans to finish digitizing all WWI service files in time for the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI in November 2018.
