Useful Websites for Research:

[jeff]

You can ask scientific questions at:

http://www.madsci.org/

But be warned, they'll only answer if it's  pretty specific and not something you could find via google.

[Tiggywinkle]

I've just found a great site for character names:

http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/

It's aimed (as far as I can tell) for people playing role play games, but it should be useful for anyone writing stories based in either medieval or fantasy worlds.

Thanks so much for this link Jeff.  I've been tearing my hair trying to think of some Anglo Saxon names that a modern reader would be able to get their tongue around.  Most of the genuine ones they wouldn't.   Tolkein must have had the same problem but was rather more adept than I am at solving it

[bonsibabe]

I am researching my family tree and have found that for war graves and general information on the wars the commonwealth war graves commission site is a real mine of information.  If looking for individuals, it is priceless (and free!).

It can be found at www.cwgc.org