World War II Research and Writing Center

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Navigating Military Records on Fold3

Are you ready to dive into military research on Fold3 or have you explored it and come up almost empty with good results? Did you know there is a strategy to find the gold within those databases?

Join me for the second WWII Online program this winter, with my webinar, Navigating Military Records on Fold3.

Program Description

One place many people begin research for their World War II service member is online.

While most of the records you need to reconstruct service history are not available online, you can find clues and unit or contextual information to add to your soldier’s story.

In this workshop I will show you different tools and strategies to help you dive deeper into Fold3 to discover military records for your service members. Some examples will be given through screen shots and others will be live using Fold3.

While this workshop is WWII focused, everything taught will apply to WWI, Korea, and Vietnam.

Register for this workshop.

© 2019 World War II Research & Writing Center

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Free Webinar 7 January 2019! Let’s Research, Write, and Connect.

Let’s Research, Write, and Connect.

Tips and Tools to Start Your 2019 Military and Family History Writing Projects

On January 7, 2019, Lisa Alzo and I will conduct a free webinar to help you start your new year off on the right foot! We have tips to help you start your military research or family history writing and special offers to help you continue learning as you move through your year.

To register just click this link!

Lisa Alzo:

No More Excuses: Ten Tips to Finally Write that Family History

Have you wanted to turn your years of genealogy research into shareable stories, but don’t know where to begin?  Do you stare at the blank page and blinking cursor and give up before you even write one word? In this webinar, learn the tips and tricks to beat writer’s block and finally write that family history!

Jennifer Holik & Megan Heyl:

Tips to Start your Military Research

Are you ready to start WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam military research but are not sure where to begin or what to do? We have the answers and resources to help you!

To register just click this link!

© 2019 WWII Research & 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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