World War II Research and Writing Center

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Interviews from RootsTech 2018

In late February, Johan and I attended the RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. There I gave four talks on WWII Research and Writing and Johan and I participated in a few interviews. Two were conducted by Amy Johnson Crow and you can watch them here.

Jennifer’s Interview

Johan’s Interview

Would you like help researching and telling the stories of your family’s service members? Contact us to discuss a research or writing project. Be sure to also check our our online courses to learn how to navigate the records (and the 1973 Fire) and locate information.

© 2018 World War II Research and Writing Center

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World War II Writing Course at RootsTech

I will be teaching my fourth and final program at RootsTech on Saturday 3 March at 11:00 a.m. Please join me for Battlefield Stories in Ballroom J.

Description: Have you researched your World War II soldier or civilian and need tips on where to go next? Have you organized your materials – digital and paper records? Have you written the story? Are you unsure where to start? Using organizational tips, attendees will learn ways to organize their military records. Then using examples of writing prompts and writing formulas, attendees will learn ways to begin writing their World War II stories.

In this hands-on, engaging, and informative presentation, Jennifer shares:

• Basic World War II research tips for soldier research.

• Tips on organizing military records, both digital and paper.

• A formula for writing a military story

• Writing prompts to get your writing flowing.

Want more educational opportunities:
Join our newsletter list and receive a free research guide. You will then be invited to our Facebook group.
Pick up one of our new Quick Guides to research. More will be released the 28th!
Need help with your research? We are taking new clients. Email us for more information on projects.

© 2018 World War II Research and Writing Center

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World War II Sacrifice Class at RootsTech

On Friday 2 March, I will be teaching World War II Sacrifice, at RootsTech. You can find this session in Room:255D, Session Number:RT1743.

Description: This program is NOT suitable for children. What happened to our soldiers, sailors, and Marines who died in World War II? What policies and procedures were, and were not, in place to handle our valiant dead? Who took care of the honored dead? Why did some soldiers return to the United States, while others still sleep overseas? Why are some still considered Missing In Action or unrecoverable? In this engaging and informative presentation, Jennifer shares: A trip through time, exploring the service history of James Privoznik, who was Killed In Action 11 January 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge. Discuss the history of the Graves Registration Service and their job during and after the war. Show you what the IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File) is, and how it can help you reconstruct service, and understand what happened to your deceased soldier. Learn why records and personal effects may not exist. Resources for the Prisoners, the Missing, and the Dead.

Want more educational opportunities:
Join our newsletter list and receive a free research guide. You will then be invited to our Facebook group.
Pick up one of our new Quick Guides to research. More will be released the 28th!
Need help with your research? We are taking new clients. Email us for more information on projects.

© 2018 World War II Research and Writing Center

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Advanced WWII Research Class at RootsTech

Are you attending RootsTech this month? I will be teaching four World War II research and writing classes. Learn advanced research techniques at The Greatest Generation: Advanced World War II Research. Session Number: RT1742 in room 251E on Thursday 1 March at 4:30 p.m.

Description: The follow-up to Finding the Answers. It will be assumed attendees have basic knowledge about World War I and II research. After briefly touching on the basics of obtaining the OMPF, attendees will learn about additional records to trace the service of their soldier, sailor, or Marine in World War II. In this engaging and informative presentation, Jennifer shares: A trip through time, exploring the service history of several men and women. A brief recap on starting research and obtaining the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Air Force Accident Reports, Missing Air Crew Reports, Navy/Marine Corps Mission Reports. A look at Casualty and Prisoner of War (POW) records. Tips on weaving military, genealogical, and historical records together. Using Museums for research.

Looking for more educational opportunities:
Join our newsletter list and receive a free research guide. You will then be invited to our Facebook group.
Pick up one of our new Quick Guides to research. More will be released the 28th!
Need help with your research? We are taking new clients. Email us for more information on projects.

© 2018 World War II Research and Writing Center

 

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Beginning WWII Research Class at RootsTech

Are you attending RootsTech this month? I will be teaching four World War II research and writing classes. Only the first class, Finding the Answers. The Basics of World War II Research will be livestreamed. If you will be on-site, you can find this course in Ballroom A at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday 28 February.

Description: All the records burned! A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, in 1973, destroyed approximately 80% of the Army, Air Forces, and National Guard records. This is not the end of the research possibilities for researchers. Many alternative record sources exist to reconstruct service history. Learn how to research World War I and II records for any branch of the military and civilian service, in this informative program. In this engaging and informative presentation, you will learn: A trip through time, exploring the service history of several men and women. Explore resources to search prior to obtaining military and civilian records. Provide information on obtaining Official Military Personnel Files and Civilian Files. Show you what military records can be used to reconstruct service history. Tips on weaving military, genealogical, and historical records together. A brief exploration of the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF).
Want more educational opportunities:
Join our newsletter list and receive a free research guide. You will then be invited to our Facebook group.
Pick up one of our new Quick Guides to research. More will be released the 28th!
Need help with your research? We are taking new clients. Email us for more information on projects.

© 2018 World War II Research and Writing Center

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New Program – Planning a WWII Trip to Europe

The World War II Research and Writing Center is now booking programs through 2019, including our newest talk, Walking in their Footsteps: Traveling Planning for your WWII Trip to Europe.

Program Description: Are you ready to travel through Europe walking in the footsteps of your family’s service member? Have you done your research to know exactly where he was? If he was wounded or died, do you know where? Do you need help planning a trip and the steps that come before and after?

Over the years I’ve heard a lot of stories from people, and about people, who have traveled to Europe to walk in their family member’s footsteps. Not all stories of travel are successful. Many people do not first do the proper research to ensure the information they have is correct. Then they often waste time and money being in places their soldier wasn’t.

Having traveled in the footsteps of my family’s soldiers, and others for clients, and now also living in the Netherlands, I have a unique perspective on WWII travel. In addition to having a network of people in Europe to which I refer clients ready to travel, I also have a proven, documented research method to ensure you end up where your soldier really served.

In this program you will learn:

  • How to ensure your research is accurate before you plan your trip and what steps to take if you still need to verify service.
  • Tips on planning your dates, targets, and itinerary.
    • Tour company and bus or not?
  • Connecting with researchers, tour guides, and historians in Europe.
  • What to be aware of as you travel.
  • What you can do when you return home.
  • Options for putting your research, photos, and travel writing all together.

Contact us for booking information.

View all our U.S. program offerings.

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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13 January 2018 WWII Program in the Netherlands

Finding Your Soldier’s History

13 January 2018 at 13:00 at Delware Company BV, Wilgehout 13 3371 KE Hardinxveld-Giessendam Netherlands

This program will be conducted in English.

Program Description:

Have you adopted a grave at an ABMC cemetery? Are you unsure how to locate more information about your soldier?

Are you researching a bomb crew and unsure where to find the crew’s records?

Did you locate dog tags or another item from a soldier and want to know more about his service?

Then this program is for you!

Many questions surround the service history of Americans who served in Europe during World War II. The answers will be given during this program.

  • Where do I start with my research?
  • What are the steps I need to take if I have some information?
  • What records are available and how can they be accessed?
  • How can I connect with a soldier’s family?

While this program is free, you must register for this program so we know how many to prepare for. Prior to the program you will be sent an email link to download a handout for the program. You may print this and bring it with to take notes. Coffee and tea will be available for purchase prior to the program.

To Register, please email Jennifer the following to info@wwiirwc.com

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Any questions you have about your soldier or bomb crew. I will answer as many as possible in my talk.

See you in January!

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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Upcoming Program – Stories of the Lost

I will be presenting, Stories of the Lost, Saturday, November 11, 1:30 p.m. – Note: This program is not suitable for children.

This program is being held at the Nordlof Center, 118 N Main St, Rockford, IL, as part of the Rockford Library Programming.

What happened to our soldiers, sailors, and Marines who died in World War II? What policies and procedures were, and were not, in place to handle our valiant dead? Who took care of these men and women who were killed? Why and how did some soldiers return to the United States, while others still sleep overseas? Why are some still considered Missing In Action or unrecoverable?

In this engaging and informative presentation, Jennifer shares:

  • A trip through time, exploring the service history of James Privoznik, who was Killed In Action 11 January 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge.
  • Discuss the history of the Graves Registration Service and their job during and after World War II.
  • Show and teach you what the IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File) is, and how it can help you reconstruct service, and understand what happened to your deceased soldier.
  • Learn why records and personal effects may not exist.
  • Resources for the Prisoners, the Missing, and the Dead.

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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New Service Available for Clients

The World War II Research and Writing Center is now providing speech writing and speaking services for funerals, memorial programs, commemorations, and other military events. We have presented at the Ninth Infantry Division Association Reunion Memorial Service; 104th Infantry Division Pups Reunion Program; the Tilburg, Netherlands Liberation Ceremony in 2015; and in the Netherlands at Liberation Commemorations.

Contact us for information and fees for research, speaking, and writing services.

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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Program 8 April 2017 – The Day That Lived In Infamy

On Saturday, April 8, 1:00 p.m., Jennifer Holik will be presenting the program, The Day That Lived in Infamy. Navigating World War II Military Records. 

All the records burned! A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, in 1973, destroyed approximately 80% of the Army, Air Corps, and National Guard records. This is not the end of the research possibilities for these soldiers. Many alternative record sources exist to reconstruct service history for these branches. Regardless of service branch, many records exist to tell your soldier, sailor, or Marine’s story. Learn how to research the records of World War II for any branch of the military in this informative program.

This program will be held at the Glenview Public Library as part of the North Suburban Genealogical Society meeting.

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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CRASH Airwar Museum Program 25 February 2017

Last Saturday, 25 February 2017, I gave my third WWII program on research and writing at the CRASH Airwar Museum near Amsterdam, Netherlands. We had a bit of a glitch as I brought my brand new laptop and didn’t realize it only had the HDMI port. The museum didn’t have that cord or connection to their beamer. Sometimes technology just doesn’t mesh. We made things work and I spoke for an hour on research and told many stories.

Stories have more impact than screen shots of documents.

Capture people with stories full of emotion and you cannot go wrong.

The room was almost filled and I met a lot of new people. I was also able to speak with some I met on previous engagements at the museum. CRASH is one of my favorite places to speak because the men who run the museum and programs are fantastic. It feels a bit like coming home when I am there. The museum collection is amazing too. If you have not visited the museum, I encourage you to do so.

Sebastiaan Vonk, founder of the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves (Stichting Verenigde Adoptanten Amerikaanse Oorlogsgraven,) attended to sell my book Faces of War to benefit the foundation’s programs.  I signed several books after the program ended and had the opportunity to speak with several people.

Friends old and new at the CRASH Museum.

Several friends attended the program and our plan was to have lunch afterward. I met a couple who adopted a grave at Margraten. This couple planned to meet me at the program because we had been talking already with the family member of the soldier. The stories they told me were incredible and moving. Not enough stories are told or written about what civilians went through during the war in Europe. Not enough stories are passed down so families can heal their wounds of war, which are invisible in many cases, but felt, through the generations.

As we walked out of the museum, two program attendees who I was not previously friends with on Facebook, stopped to ask questions. We invited them to join us for lunch. Our lunch became not just a gathering of old friends but new ones and many stories were shared across the table. It was FANTASTIC!

How does it get any better than doing what you love, teaching, healing souls, and making new friends at the same time? I look forward to visiting my friends and teaching at the CRASH museum in the future.

© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center

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Last Chance to Pre-Order Faces of War for CRASH Museum Event

Bernie's graveInternational WWII historian, speaker, and author Jennifer Holik, will be presenting Stories of War at the CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum ’40-’45 on Saturday 25 February at 13.00. Her program will be a combination of WWII research and tips on writing the stories. Admission to the museum is € 3,50 per person and that includes the lecture.

During 1944 and 1945, thousands of men and women serving in the U.S. Army, Army Air Forces and Navy, fought to defeat Germany and liberate Europe. Their stories are those of life and death, hope, friendship, love, memories of those left behind, and dreams of the future.

Many questions surround the service history of these men and women. How does one conduct research from Europe? What records are available and how can they be accessed? How can individuals connect with families of the fallen, the sweethearts, or who shared their homes during the war? And finally, how can we preserve their stories? In this engaging and informative presentation, Jennifer shares:

  • A trip through time, exploring the service history of several Army and Army Air Forces personnel.
  • Resources to search prior to obtaining military records.
  • Information on obtaining Official Military Personnel File and the Individual Deceased Personnel File.
  • How to reconstruct service history.
  • Resources for the Prisoners, the Missing, and the Dead.
  • Tips on weaving military, genealogical, family, and historical records together to create a story.
  • A formula for writing a military story.
  • Writing prompts to get your writing flowing.

Would you like to learn more about WWII research? Pre-order a copy of Faces of War: Researching Your Adopted Soldier by 20 January 2017, to pick up at the event, from the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves (Stichting Verenigde Adoptanten Amerikaanse Oorlogsgraven.) The foundation will bring pre-ordered books to the event and have a limited number books available that day for sale. The foundation will donate all proceeds to its The Faces of Margraten tribute at the Netherlands Cemetery.

Jennifer will have a limited number of copies of her writing book Stories from the World War II Battlefield Volume 3: Writing the Stories of War.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

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