Use caution when asking AI to Reconstruct a WWI or WWII Service History
AI has taken over many areas of our lives. It is no surprise that many genealogists and military researchers – especially those who are brand new to research – are using it. From where I sit and what I’ve observed, there are many issues with using AI. The primary one being that people think it will reconstruct military service with accuracy and account for the issues a human professional researcher knows about.
Now, truth be told – I’m not a huge fan and I don’t use it that often. I am exploring it more because students and clients have told me they found useful suggestions for records to search, often by name, unit, or record location. Sometimes they get help narrowing down which Morning Report PDF they need to download out of the 30+ available. This is great. The bigger problem rises when new researchers to genealogy or military, take AI answers as God’s truth. Or expect AI to reconstruct service and know how to do it accurately.
AI cannot go into the military records, read them, account for inaccuracies, typos, errors, and missing records, and reconstruct service history.
While online databases and AI tools can produce quick answers, many people assume they can reconstruct a veteran’s military service with a few searches. The reality is far more complicated. New researchers don’t know what they don’t know and from my observation, most don’t care to actually learn proper research techniques, which makes it worse. Then you see all these “experts” in Facebook groups and elsewhere sharing inaccurate and confusing information. We already have confusion because of the 1973 NPRC fire.
Records Are Scattered and Incomplete
Military records are scattered across multiple archives. Using the 2-part research strategy I developed, a researcher should start at NPRC in St. Louis and obtain certain records. Build a timeline and verify information. From there, you go to NARA College Park to start part 2 which is finding contextual records after you have verified units/ships/station.
New researchers do not understand that records can be filed under unexpected unit designations, they may be damaged, incomplete, or missing entirely. Plus, they have no idea how to reconstruct service and which records are required.
A professional records researcher understands how the military created records, where those records are housed, and how to connect personnel files, unit records, casualty files, ship logs, station records, morning reports, and other sources into a coherent timeline. We know how to reconstruct Army or Army Air Force service. While building a veteran’s timeline we also verify all units, ships, and stations someone was part of so we know where to find context about service.
Additionally, a professional researcher knows the difference between an official personnel file, a casualty file, a unit history, and a pension or VA record—and why confusing these records can lead to incorrect conclusions.
Records Researchers Have Knowledge AI Doesn’t
A records researcher also brings something that search engines and AI cannot: context, experience, and evidence-based interpretation. Names can be misspelled, service numbers reused, and units reorganized, making it easy to attach the wrong story to the wrong person. An experienced researcher evaluates conflicting information, identifies gaps in the record trail, and documents conclusions with verifiable sources.
I cannot tell you how often I find an error or a discrepancy in military records. These might be an event that took place and an Army Morning Report provides one date and information while a unit history provides something different. AI is not going to be able to then go find and read other records to resolve this issue.
A Possible Solution
At this point I would encourage new researchers to do one of a few things.
1. Take a class and learn the 2-part strategy to research any veteran from World War I, World War II, Korea, or Vietnam. Know what basic records you need to reconstruct service for all branches. Create the timeline. Then if you want to use AI to help you find where additional records are stored or what types of records or books or websites could be helpful – go for it.
2. Read articles written by professional researchers, historians, authors, and others who explain what records are needed, how they are useful, and where to find them. Similarly, watch YouTube videos to learn new skills.
3. Hire a professional researcher like myself to obtain the records, write the research report, and provide you with context. We can get the project done faster as well if time is of the essence say for a trip to Europe to walk in your veteran’s footsteps.
Whether you are trying to understand a WWII ancestor’s service, verify a family story, write a biography, or preserve a veteran’s legacy, a records researcher helps ensure that the story you tell is grounded in actual records rather than assumptions. The goal is not simply to find records—it is to reconstruct a life and military service accurately, responsibly, and with historical integrity.
Would You Like to Learn More?
If you need help with your WWI or WWII research, reconstructing Army or Army Air Force service, or writing a book, I do take clients.
If you would like to learn how to research, click here to see upcoming small group coaching sessions to learn how to use Fold3, NARA Catalog, research Army or Navy service, find POW records, and more. These sessions come with extensive workbooks, plenty of Q&A for attendees, my 2-part research strategy and the replay. Need a researcher? I am taking research and book clients – email jennifer@ancestralsouls.com to set up a free consult to discuss your project.
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