Jennifer Holik

The Facebook Genealogy Group Echo Chamber

May 15, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Why these groups may be hurting your research more than helping

Before I get into this article, I have to say thank you to the folks on Substack who research family and military history. The atmosphere here, as I observed, is calm and people provide concrete potential solutions – not noise. Thank you. Keep up the important work because you are needed.

Facebook genealogy groups can be wonderful places to connect with other researchers, ask questions, and discover resources. However, they can also seriously harm military research when advice is shared by people who do not truly understand military records, or research methodology.

Honestly, prior to 2020, I was in several groups for many years. Back then, people knew how to write a query asking for help. They usually provided key details – not vague statements. Back then there were fewer armchair genealogists and more serious researchers – both hobby and professional. They knew things and could back it up with a website link, a book, magazine article, or genealogy or military record.

Since 2020, and more the last year, since I started joining a few FB group again (and will probably leave them all soon), it’s an echo chamber of noise. What do I mean? Someone will post a question. That person will get maybe 200 or 300 responses and out of that – maybe – MAYBE 10-20 actually have a valid suggestion based in fact.

That’s a lot of noise to keep up with.

Add to the fact that Facebook doesn’t always notify the poster of comments so you have to keep going back into the group (and I see this on my personal profile) and check to see if someone commented. Who has time for this nonsense?

The Biggest Problem I See Right Now

One of the biggest problems is the constant repetition of incomplete or incorrect information. Answers most commonly provided include: “all the records burned,” that nothing else exists beyond a Separation and Discharge Paper so good luck! That Fold3 contains every military record available. That you should go to NARA and request the service file.

A new vague “fact” someone is spreading around also is that… Ancestry, 7 years after something happens, the Official Military Personnel Files are put online. (Full disclosure – this poster would never clarify what 7 years meant or what records they were talking about, but I inferred OMPFs. However, the poster insisted the records were on Ancestry. I asked for a link and clarification for why we had to request OMPFs through NPRC if they are on Ancestry and I was met with narcissistic screaming.)

The Echo Chamber

Again – more honesty – this makes me crazy. Gone are the days when you could ask for help and get actual answers. These statements above stop people from digging deeper into reconstruction of military service. It stops the actual learning about the required morning reports, operational records, casualty files, transport lists, and archival collections that can help reconstruct a veteran’s service history.

Many genealogy groups also rely heavily on family tree methods, which do not work well for military reconstruction research. There is an actual strategy to doing World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam research. I know because I had to create it 15 years ago so I could research and write my family’s stories.

Another issue is that many Facebook groups encourage quick answers instead of teaching real research strategy. Instead of saying, Fold3 has all the records. Try providing a concrete example of the record set and maybe provide a link or image, based on the military branch the poster is researcher.

Additionally, military research requires understanding timelines which are not like a genealogy timeline. It’s also helpful to know something about military organization, record creation, wartime movement, and how records connect across archives and repositories.

The Do It All For Me Issue

I’m all for helping people learn and showing them the way. I’ve been doing it for decades. But I’m setting new boundaries around this.

My observation has been since 2020 when so much went online from webinars to records – mostly free – we have had a huge uptick in armchair genealogists, most of whom want you to do the work fast and free. Yet they seem to be the first ones to chime in with echo chamber advice without knowing anything to back it up.

This new breed of “researcher” creates unrealistic expectations and prevents researchers from learning the skills needed to analyze records and build accurate service histories. Inexperienced advice can also lead to misidentified soldiers, incorrect units, and inaccurate family stories that are repeated online as fact. And we have seen enough of that through Ancestry and FamilySearch family trees. That is why my tree is private.

While Facebook groups can provide community and support, serious military research requires education, critical thinking, and a much deeper approach than social media comments can usually provide.

What are you observing in the Facebook Genealogy Groups? How has your participation changed over the years? Where do you go for actual answers to your military research questions?

I would love to help you research the stories of your family members from World War I – Vietnam. If you are ready to start a research or writing project, email me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com and let’s set up a free phone consultation. I’m excited to help you bring your family’s military history to life and preserve it for generations.

In addition to taking research and book clients, I teach small group coaching sessions on all branches – focused on WWII records. I also teach specialized classes on Army Morning Reports and Reconstructing service history. I have classes in Prisoner of War Records, WWII Death Records, and Fold3 and NARA Catalog help. Visit my online store to see what’s coming up and be sure to go to the Freebies page to subscribe to the newsletter so you always receive info on new classes, discounts, resources, links, and more.

The Importance of Army Morning Reports

May 14, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Reconstructing Army or Army Air Force service is easier with Morning Reports

For many genealogists and families researching U.S. Army or Army Air Force WWII service, there comes a point where the usual records stop answering the real questions. Maybe you are researching a veteran whose service file, the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) burned and are stuck because everyone told you nothing can be found. Maybe you have a draft card, family letters, a discharge paper, even a few files from Ancestry or Fold3. But you still don’t know where your soldier actually was on a specific date, when they transferred units, were hospitalized, returned to duty, were listed as a POW, MIA, or KIA. This is where Army Morning Reports become essential.

Morning Reports are daily administrative logs created at the company level. Common misconceptions about these records are that they will tell you everything about your soldier or airman. Also, that they are a daily list of everyone in that company. Both are untrue. Morning Reports track personnel changes. These changes include:

Promotion, demotion.
AWOL
Change in MOS (Military Occupational Specialty or job)
Transfer in or out
Detached Duty or Service
Illness
Prisoner, Missing, Dead, Wounded
Etc. basically anything that changes them being healthy and just doing their usual job.

In many cases, especially given the record losses from the 1973 National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) fire, these reports are the only surviving source that can reconstruct a soldier’s day-to-day experience and footsteps. They don’t tell a story outright. They provide the puzzle pieces – units, record of events, and locations – that you need to reconstruct service history. The Morning Reports provide the framework to build a timeline of service with accuracy. A timeline that is not like a family tree timeline. Military research requires a different strategy and timeline.

Not All Reports Are Created the Same

One issue we often contend with in Morning Report research is the lack of information. Sometimes the individual writing the reports is too busy or distracted to put in all relevant information. For example, my cousin Frank Winkler entered the 115th Infantry Regiment 29th Infantry Division on 23 June 1944. The Morning Report writer listed him and four others and said something like, ‘These five EM asgd and jd 23 June 1944 per SO 123….’

The writer failed to list which replacement depot these 5 enlisted men came from. When the reports were only on microfilm, that meant a dead end. Today with the reports and rosters being on NARA Catalog – we can more easily find those dead ends and turn them into leads, making total reconstruction of service much easier.

That said, some units, often Armored Infantry or Tank Battalions, often (in my 15 years experience) provide incredible novel-like detail as seen here.

This Morning Report is from HQ Co 51st AIB (Armored Infantry Battalion).

Evidence Not Assumptions

Without Morning Reports, genealogists and family researchers are often left making assumptions based on what they see on a Separation and Discharge paper, read in unit histories, have heard in family stories, or see general timelines. But those sources don’t confirm whether your specific soldier was present for a battle, evacuated due to wounds or illness, or temporarily assigned elsewhere. All of those things impact his overall war story. Morning Reports fill in those gaps. They allow you to track movement, verify participation, and create a timeline rooted in documented evidence rather than inference.

Example: If a 5th Infantry Division soldier participated in the Normandy campaign, was wounded 30 July 1944 and sent to a hospital, dropped from the Morning Report rolls, then returned to that same unit (rare but not unheard of) in December 1944 – all of that unit’s history from 31 July – his return date in December, do not apply to his story because he wasn’t there for it. He was in a hospital recovering – and possibly moved to a Replacement Depot before going back into his unit. Morning Reports allow you to reconstruct his daily movements and know fact from fiction.

The challenge is that Morning Reports are not simple to access or interpret, especially if you struggle with the NARA Catalog or military lingo. The reports are not fully digitized. Currently (May 5, 2026) they are digitized on NARA through December 1944. We are still waiting for 1945 to be uploaded.

The 1945 and beyond reports still exist only on microfilm, and are organized in ways that can be confusing without prior experience. Records available through the NARA Catalog can be challenging to locate. You have to find the correct unit, date range, and search strategies to find the gold hidden in these pages. Researchers require a clear research strategy, which I present in all my small group coaching programs.

Many genealogists don’t struggle because the records don’t exist—they struggle because they don’t know how to navigate the system that holds them.

Small Group Coaching Can Help

This is where small group coaching and live walk-throughs on the NARA Catalog become incredibly powerful. Instead of passively watching a tutorial or reading a guide, you’re actively learning how to search, filter, and interpret records in real time. You get to ask questions on what I just demonstrated. I even use YOUR soldier’s info to show you live how it all works.

In a small group setting, something even more valuable happens: shared learning. As others ask questions, you begin to see patterns you might have missed. Someone brings up a question which requires I show you a different search strategy or go deeper into an explanation. One person’s discovery might show you a search path you hadn’t considered. The learning becomes layered, dynamic, and far more efficient than struggling alone to figure it all out.

Live walk-throughs also remove one of the biggest barriers in military research—overwhelm. The NARA Catalog can feel wonky, like a maze of record groups, identifiers, inconsistent results, and lack of truly knowing what to click next. NARA Catalog is famous for not always providing the ‘Click this image’ where it believes your search result lives, out of the 2000 images we present you. Learning how to find the PDFs of the month, download, and search, helps save time and frustration with the inconsistency of NARA’s results.

Just as importantly, coaching helps you interpret what you find. Morning Reports use abbreviations, shorthand, numbered codes, lack of information at times, and administrative language that can be difficult to understand at first glance. In a guided environment, you learn how to read between the lines and decipher what it all means. You learn how to recognize hospital admissions, temporary duty assignments, or casualty notations. This transforms the report from a confusing document into a powerful piece of your research puzzle.

Ultimately, Army Morning Reports are not just another record set. They are often the key to unlocking a soldier’s real wartime experience. But accessing and using them effectively requires more than access. It requires strategy, context, and support.

Small group coaching and live NARA walk-throughs bridge that gap. They turn a complex, often intimidating process into something structured, collaborative, and achievable. And in doing so, they allow genealogists to move beyond surface-level research and begin reconstructing the lived reality of military service—one documented day at a time.

Read previous Morning Report Articles

Stories in WWII Army Morning Reports

Company Morning Reports

Company Morning Reports Tell a Story

Are You Ready to Start Writing and Researching?

Are you ready to write the story but not sure where to begin? I’m offering small group coaching sessions on military branches (Army, AAF, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Marine Corps), plus WWII Death Records, WWII Prisoner of War Records, Army Morning Report research on NARA Catalog, writing programs, and so much more. I also run a free WWII Cafe several times a month for people to gather and chat about projects, writing, research, ancestral healing, and more. Explore all current offers in my online store.

Then visit the WWII Research & Writing Center for more than 10 years worth of articles, tips, resources, and more.

WWII Army Morning Report Classes

May 12, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Here is what’s on tap for May World War II education! This includes the brand new NARA Catalog Army Morning Report classes!

To find all offers, learn more and register, please visit my online course site – Ancestral Souls Wisdom School.

Space still available! Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline

Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)

Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)

Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline

Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Need Research or Army Morning Report Help?

Would you like help reconstructing your veteran’s service or finding Army Morning Reports? I take research and book writing clients. Email info@wwiirwc.com to schedule a free consultation for your project.

Military Monday – Fold3 Records

May 11, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Understanding the Reality of Fold3 for WWII Research

Let’s clear up a common misconception: Fold3 is not a one-stop shop for World War I or World War II military research. In genealogy groups, I observe the same responses which show up again and again: “Check Fold3.” “Everything burned.” “They have all the records.” None of those are fully accurate—and believing them can stall your research before it even begins. The truth is, researching 20th-century military service requires a strategy.

A Two-Part Strategy for WWII Research

Part 1: Reconstruct the Service Timeline
Start by identifying the individual’s movements or footsteps. The nits, ships, stations, dates and basic facts. This is the foundation of all military research. The following records help you build a timeline of service. It’s important to know that even if you have a complete service file, you are only getting puzzle pieces. It’s up to you to work the strategy and assemble the story.

Key records include (but are not limited to):

Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs)
WWII Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPFs)
WWI Burial Files
Morning Reports (Army/Air Forces)
Rosters and payroll records
Naval and Marine Corps muster rolls
Merchant Marine files
Aviation accident reports

Part 2: Find the Context
Once you know where someone was, you can begin to understand what they experienced.

This is where the story comes alive:

Unit and regimental histories
War diaries and journals
Operational reports and after-action reports
Maps, photographs, and message traffic

These sources reveal battles, movements, wounds, losses, and daily life. This is how you move from data to lived experience.

What Fold3 Actually Offers

Fold3 is valuable—but it leans heavily toward contextual (Part 2) records, not full service histroy reconstructions.

You may find some individual-level documents, but you are unlikely to log in and uncover a complete service history neatly packaged. That’s not how WWII research works.

Also, be cautious with user-created memorials. Many are built from surface-level research and may contain gaps or inaccuracies. Always verify the information yourself.

Useful WWII Record Sets on Fold3

Commonly used collections include:

Draft registration cards
Hospital admission card files
Red Cross nurse files
WWII war diaries
European Theater of Operations records
Transport and ship manifests
Death indexes and cemetery lists
Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs)
Naval and Marine Corps muster rolls
Donated unit records from reunion groups

Additional Fold3 Resources Most People Miss

If you want to go deeper, these are often overlooked but highly valuable:

World War I Army Morning Reports. You will find WWII Army Morning Reports or Company Morning Reports on NARA Catalog and the 1945 and 1946 still at NPRC on microfilm (at the time of this article April 2026).
Army Air Forces (AAF) Mission Reports – Provide operational details for bombing missions, including targets, losses, and crew data. Found in various donated unit collections.
After Action Reports (AARs) – Found in various donated unit collections; essential for understanding combat activity day-by-day.
Guadalcanal and Pacific Theater Records – Located within WWII War Diaries. These records are rich in diaries, intelligence summaries, and operational logs.
Submarine War Patrol Reports – Detailed narratives of patrols, engagements, and conditions at sea.
Holocaust and liberation-related records – For those researching units involved in liberation or displaced persons. Found in several collections. Also try the European Theater Records.

The Bottom Line

Fold3 is a powerful tool—but it is only one piece of the research puzzle. The majority of essential records you need to reconstruct service still live at the National Archives and Records Administration or within the NARA Catalog, often buried in textual records that require patience and strategy to uncover. You may also discover military records at Presidential Libraries, Museums (military, ethnic, etc.), genealogical and historical societies, University and local libraries and archives, and of course, buried in family boxes in attics and closets.

If you approach WWII research expecting a single database to hand you the full story, you’ll be disappointed and confused. But if you build a timeline and then layer in context, you can reconstruct a powerful, accurate narrative of service.

If you’d like to learn more about what is available on Ancestry, Fold3, NARA Catalog, and other sites, grab a copy of my Online Toolkits. Three PDF guides that cover NARA Catalog resources, General WWII research tips plus Ancestry, Fold3, and more. And a new guide on Civilian Conservation Corps Records.

As always, click here to see upcoming small group coaching sessions to learn how to use 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.

Reconstructing Military Service Isn’t What You’ve Been Told

May 8, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

The truth about reconstructing service history for your veteran

ALL THE RECORDS BURNED! WHATEVER WILL WE DO? THERE ARE NO ANSWERS!

Ummmm. Nope. Not true at all so let’s stop being so dramatic. Let’s also stop telling everyone on social media that the big fire burned everything – because it didn’t.

Exploring Fact and Fiction

Was there a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973? YES.

Did the fire destroy approximately 80% of the Army and Army Air Forces service files or Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs)? YES.

Does that mean I can never know what my Army or Army Air Force veteran experienced? What units he was part of? If he was wounded, sick, taken prisoner, listed as Missing, or anything else? NO. Answers exist.

Am I only reconstructing service if the record burned? NO.

You are reconstructing service for every branch. Why?

OMPFs regardless of military branch do not come to you in a neat storybook package with a timeline of the veteran’s or war dead’s service. They come as official records. Puzzle pieces with dates (which may be confusing on Navy and Marine Corps records). Puzzle pieces of ships, stations, units, Replacement Depots, and more. The OMPFs do not provide context – the experience of your veteran or his unit or ship. You are responsible for sorting the puzzle – creating the military timeline and THEN finding context.

No One Told Us How To Find Answers

The big problem with the fire is that afterward there was no education, even on NARA’s websites or in their materials on how to find answers. How to reconstruct service. It was some big secret until a couple of people wrote books about requesting Army records or medals and looking at uniforms in the late 1990s/early 2000s back when we used to research via mail and more in-person. Those books didn’t actually provide a research strategy and clear direction on what records you needed.

It wasn’t until 2010 when I started researching while writing my first book and found a couple of books on Army service that were so far out of date, that I created the strategy, wrote the books, and started teaching. I required a clear strategy and path to finding answers for myself and I knew I could share that with the world. So I did.

What if the OMPF Burned – Where Do I Go Next?

If you are researching Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, or Marine Corps – those OMPF are at NPRC. Almost none of them were impacted by the fire. As long as your veteran died or was discharged by 62 years ago today (a rolling date) – anyone can request those files.

If you are researching Army or Army Air Force later Air Force – you need to start with Army Company Morning Reports. Where available also get Payroll Reports and Monthly Rosters. Use these to reconstruct service and build your timeline. The Morning Reports will tell you the footsteps and changes of your soldiers.

Once you have the OMPF or the OMPF plus – Morning Reports or Payroll Reports or Monthly Rosters or Naval Muster Rolls or Marine Corps Muster Rolls – then you create a military timeline of service.

From there once you have established what units, ships or stations apply to your veteran’s service, you are ready to locate contextual unit records. This may include ship war diaries, deck logs, and Armed Guard Reports. Unit histories, regimental histories, journals, diaries, maps, photos, mission reports, After Action Reports, and so many other possibilities.

What does the OMPF Tell You or Not Tell You?

You will discover: The OMPF will provide puzzle pieces. Dates, places, changes in rank, MOS (job), next of kin details, biographical details, transfers, units, perhaps MIA or KIA information, medical and dental details as they pertain to service history while in military service. On occasion you will also find vital records for family members (to help prove legal NOK) or probate records, adoption records, mental hospital commitment papers, and other interesting things. The occasional family letter. Learn more in my article: Exploring the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

You will not find: Details on their personal life, thoughts, feelings, and how they handled anything. You will not find information on post-war life. You will not discover every minute detail about their combat experience.

A book was recently published about the 1973 Fire at the NPRC, called “The Erased Generation.” In this book, the author tells you the history, repeats himself a lot, provides incorrect facts about some records, and reconstructs three Army histories in the briefest way possible without providing you a clear strategy. While this book does have some merit – let’s talk about the unrealistic expectations of information in the OMPF he presents. Full disclosure, I purchased this book on 3 May 2026 on Amazon and it is his first edition. The author indicated he may update this book later.

In one of his reconstructions of Army service about a soldier named Leo who was wounded, he wrote in part: “The surviving record…does not record who carried him from the field.” No OMPF will tell you that. If he died then perhaps in the IDPF there may be some notation of who attempted to help him after he was wounded and died. The OMPF is not going to give you a play by play of anything. It provides puzzle pieces. Additionally, within a unit history, you may discover a notation about who helped him but usually not.

He goes on to say, in part: “It does not say how long he lay wounded before reaching aid.” Unless there is an eyewitness account somewhere – again you are not going to find that in the OMPF. This level of detail was never recorded in their official record.

He also adds, which made me wonder if he’s actually read more than one or two OMPFs, “it does not tell us whether he married, … spoke of the war …how the wound shaped the rest of his life….”

Let me make this clear – when you were discharged – the military was done keeping tabs on you. No OMPF is going to give you post-discharge details on his personal life or wounds or medals. Although once I did see a notation about a Bronze Star being award post-discharge in a mostly burned file. In fact, even while you are in service, you are not going to get that level of detail. If you want to know more about his wounds or illnesses – attempt to get his VA File. You are not going to find this level of detail in any OMPF.

Finally, on the subject of this book, the author also, in multiple places tells people the Draft Registration Card contains the military service number. IT DOES NOT. A Draft card means you registered and were eligible for service. It does not mean you served. See my article on the Draft Card for more information.

Are OMPFs the Same for Every Branch?

OMPFs for World War II are similar in content for all military branches. Each branch however does have it’s own forms. So a medical or transfer form for one branch may look different in another branch.

Where Can I see an OMPF?

Have you ever seen an OMPF for any branch? If not, visit my WWII Research and Writing Center site and explore some WWII Record Examples. These files will give you an idea of typical contents.

If you are ready to start a research or writing project, or would like to brush up on your WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam research skills, visit my online store and sign up for one of the upcoming Small Group Coaching sessions – specific to your military branch. You can also reach out for a free research or book writing consult to jennifer@ancestralsouls.com

Which John Smith is Mine in all These Military Records?

May 8, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Locating the elusive service/serial number with a common named ancestor.

I recently helped someone, we’ll call him Joe, with locating information on their family member, William A. Campbell Jr. from Brooklyn, NY, who served in the Navy during World War II. He said William was born 1925 died 1977 and served on ships that were sunk. No other initial details were given.

If you have conducted genealogical research, the first red flag is that William Campbell in New York is a very common name. Without more clarifying information, how could you possibly find a service number for him so you could request his OMPF? I’ll show you.

Search the Go-To’s for Service Numbers – Navy Example

In this article I’m strictly showing the go-to’s to attempt to find a Navy service number. If you are researching other branches, some of these resources will apply and then there would be others to consult.

With such little biographical information to start with (while waiting for more details from Joe) I start with the BIRLS database on Ancestry to see if I can find any possible William A. Campbell Jrs that fit the birth/death dates. I found a potential match – birth 18 Sept 1925, death 14 Aug 1944. Enlisted 18 Oct 1943, discharge 25 April 1946. The name listed was William Campbell. Ok so Joe confirmed those dates and we see there is no ‘A’ or Jr listed with this entry. Could be the person who indexed it didn’t add it or the BIRLS entry didn’t have it.

With this confirmed I took a quick search in Navy Muster Rolls only to confirm there were multiple William Campbell’s of various varieties – with and without middle initials, some with Jr.

Next I searched U.S. Headstone Applications on Ancestry in case he had a military stone issued. This will provide a serial or service number. I had checked FindAGrave but there was no helpful information or a photo of his gravestone. This Applications provided me with a potential who matched the birth/death dates. This William was married to a Katherine. I confirmed with Joe the wife’s name and where he was buried. BINGO – I have the service number.

Reconstructing Naval Service History without the OMPF

Most people mistakenly think if the service file burned in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), that you don’t have to reconstruct service. However, this is incorrect thinking. Let me explain.

Whether the OMPF burned or arrives fully intact, it doesn’t appear in exact chronological order. It doesn’t provide context about the experience of war. It provides puzzle pieces you can use to create a timeline and reconstruct the footsteps of this veteran.

Need to understand this concept more – read my articles:

WWII Research Tip! The OMPF Contains Gold

Exploring the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)

The Difference Between the OMPF & IDPF

While you wait to order or receive the OMPF from the NPRC, there are, in the case of Navy research, many records you can attempt to locate. You want to start first by searching the service number – in this case 815 72 75. When you search – try it first WITH the spaces. Then try it without. Then try by name.

As you do this it is vital you put together a timeline of service to track the movements, ships, stations, and locations of your Naval veteran. These include:

Navy Muster Rolls (NARA Catalog, Ancestry, Fold3) – to establish some of the ships/stations. You may not find all this through Muster Rolls due to poor quality of the pages or incorrect indexing or OCR results. The OMPF will have all ships/stations.
WWII War Diaries (Fold3, NARA Catalog) – once you have identified the vessels on which your veteran served
Movement Cards (NARA College Park not digitized) – for Merchant Vessels to track Armed Guard movement
Deck Logs/Port Director Logs (NARA College Park not digitized) – for daily logs of the vessel – both Liberty Ships and Naval Vessels
Armed Guard Reports (NARA College Park not digitized) – for a set of records, some narrative potentially, about the Naval Armed Guard’s service aboard a merchant vessel.

WARNING! Pay attention to how the veteran appears in the reports. It may be confusion as this William was.

The Ancestry Naval Muster Rolls results show me for this service number: William N Campbell Jr. You may scratch your head and say wait – his middle initial was A. Why are you telling me this is the same guy? Because the service numbers match and the N isn’t actually a middle initial. It indicates NO middle initial. In Army Records it appears as NMI. When you look at most of his muster rolls you will see whomever typed these listed him twice. Listed several people twice. This is likely to distinguish the orders/movements rather than try to type all on one small space. Pay attention to how the information shows up. Confirm the service number.

Using the available Muster Rolls on Ancestry and NARA Catalog I was able to a quick reconstruction of service history. This told me:

He was Naval Armed Guard which meant he was going to be transferred to different ships and therefore, different records would be required to find context.
I learned he was on at least three different vessels. They did not sink according to MARAD docs. Further research should be done to confirm this and ensure the correct vessel identifications.
He was taken off the SS ASA GRAY for medical reasons and appears to have spent a lot of time then on land at the Naval Armed Guard Center before returning to any vessel. Again – this has to be confirmed through the OMPF and additional records.

Basically once I confirmed the service number, I was able to do a quick timeline of his service. Easy.

If you would like to learn more about Navy research and reconstructing service history, whether the OMPF was impacted by the first or not, click the link to my online store below and register for one of my upcoming small group coaching sessions or book a 1-1 private session today.

The WWII Draft Card Does Not Prove Military Service

May 7, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

World War II draft registration cards are one of the most accessible and information-rich records for understanding the men who were eligible for military service. These cards provide a snapshot of a man’s life at the precise moment in time in which he registered. We learn basic biographical information that can aid our military research, especially if we are working with a common name. These information fields include:

A man’s full name
Home address
Date and place of birth
Age at registration
Occupation and employer’s name and address
Name and address of a person who would always know his whereabouts (often a spouse, parent, or close relative).
Physical description, noting height, weight, eye and hair color, complexion, and identifying marks.
In cases like my great uncle John’s below – we also learn he died prior to being potentially drafted.
In some cases where a man previously served or died while in service, that will also be noted on the draft card.

For men born between 1877 and 1927, multiple draft registrations were conducted, including the “Old Man’s Draft” of 1942 for men aged 45–64, meaning even those who never served still appear in these records.

Where to Find Draft Registration Cards

Ancestry, FamilySearch, Fold3, and NARA Catalog all have World War I and World War II Draft Registration Cards. You can also find the Korean War-era Draft Cards on Fold3.

The Value of Draft Registration Cards

WWII draft registration cards are useful for genealogists and researchers trying to track individuals between census years or reconstruct family units. The listed contact person can help confirm relationships or reveal previously unknown relatives. The employment information offers insight into skills a man had based on the type of work he was doing. This may have influencedwhere he was placed in a job (Military Occupational Specialty once inducted into service. Because these card were created between census years, they may be the only surviving record that ties a man to a specific place and time during the early 1940s.

For military researchers, these cards are a foundational starting point, even though they do not confirm actual service. They do not provide a military service or serial number.

There is a new book on the market that talks about the 1973 Fire at the National Personnel Records Center. This book includes three Army reconstructions and many inaccurate mentions of the draft card providing a military service number. Please note – the draft card does NOT provide a service number. Individuals did not receive a military service or serial number until they were inducted.

The draft cards help distinguish between individuals with common names. They provide birth data needed to request official military personnel files. The cards establish geographic context for further research in local draft boards, and potential enlistment or induction locations.

When used alongside other sources—such as enlistment records, Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs), WWII draft cards become a critical piece of the larger puzzle, helping reconstruct not only military service, but the broader personal and social history of the WWII generation.

The Advantage of Private WWII Coaching: Clarity, Depth, and Results

May 6, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Most genealogists don’t struggle with World War I or World War II research because they lack passion. They struggle because they’re trying to navigate increasingly complex or burned records, conflicting information, and overwhelming databases on their own. Private coaching changes that dynamic entirely. It replaces guesswork with guidance, dispels the fire myths, and helps genealogists move forward with clarity instead of giving up because of a fire.

Two of the biggest advantages of private coaching are knowledge and precision. In genealogy, we tend to go after quick facts. A census record to show us where someone lived, who was in the family, what work they did, and perhaps when they immigrated. A vital record to fill in the birth, marriage, or death parts of the timeline. A land record to show ownership and where someone lived during their lifetime. Quick facts that most people never provide context for. You build a family tree and consider it done.

It isn’t.

Military Research Requires a Different Strategy and Tools

Military research is different. It is more than adding facts to a timeline because you found a record on Ancestry or Fold3 that mentions a name. Usually people attach these records with no idea about what they really mean. The information they actually convey or that they should be included in a timeline. A military timeline that is very different from a timeline created on Ancestry. I can teach you how to create this and promise it will change your research reality.

When you are working with military records, Army Morning Reports, timelines, and fragmented archival material, small mistakes can lead to completely incorrect conclusions. It is very likely you are also missing key records because no webinar speaker told you they existed. A coach helps you ask better questions, choose the right sources, and interpret documents accurately the first time. Instead of collecting random records, you begin building a cohesive, evidence-based story.

Accelerate Your Learning

Private coaching also accelerates progress in a way self-paced learning rarely can. Many genealogists spend hours searching databases like Ancestry or Fold3 without a clear strategy, often missing key records that would unlock their research. With a coach, you’re not just told where to look, you’re shown where to go, what records you absolutely need and how to think. You learn a repeatable research process from me that covers all branches for World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, that helps you move forward faster and with greater confidence.

Value, Speed, Accuracy

But the value goes beyond speed and accuracy. Coaching provides structure, strategies, timelines and resources. Instead of juggling scattered notes, downloads, and ideas, you begin organizing your research into timelines, patterns, and narratives. This is especially critical for those working on WWII projects, where service histories span record groups and repositories like National Archives and Records Administration plus online sites like Fold3, Ancestry, FamilySearch, branch-specific museum sites, and more. A coach helps you see how all the pieces fit together.

A Coach Provides Accountability

There’s also a level of accountability that most genealogists underestimate. When you’re working alone, it’s easy to stall out, second-guess your direction, or abandon a line of research when it becomes difficult. Coaching creates momentum. You’re supported, challenged, and guided to keep going—even when the research becomes complex or emotionally heavy.

And that emotional layer matters more than many expect. Genealogy is not just about names and dates—it’s about people, experiences, and often trauma. Whether you’re uncovering wartime service, loss, or long-buried family stories, having someone to help you process and contextualize what you find can be transformative. Private coaching creates space not only for discovery, but for understanding.

Ultimately, genealogists choose private coaching because they want more than information—they want results that mean something. They want accurate timelines, richer stories, and a deeper connection to the past. Coaching bridges the gap between curiosity and clarity, turning scattered research into a purposeful, powerful narrative.

If you’re serious about your research, private coaching isn’t an extra—it’s the advantage that helps you go further, faster, and with far more intention. Learn the 2-part research strategy I created 15 years ago to research any veteran even if the service file burned. Get your specific questions answered. Tell your story. Start today by choosing your session package and let me help you find the answers you seek.

May 2026 Bonus Offer

When you purchase a coaching session between now and May 23, you will automatically be registered to the Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Records Small Group Coaching session for free. This session is a general Q&A for researchers.

Feel free to reach out to jennifer@ancestralsouls.com with questions. I’m happy to answer them!

May 2026 Morning Report Classes and More

May 5, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

Here is what’s on tap for May World War II education! To find all offers, learn more and register, please visit my online course site – Ancestral Souls Wisdom School.

Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Cafe (Free)

Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. CST. WWII Death Records Guided Group Coaching (90-minutes)

NEW! Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching (1-hour) If you have struggled to find he Morning Reports you need, join me for this 1-hour Zoom coaching and learn how to make the catalog less frustrating. I’ll also show you how to download full months’ reports.

Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline

Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)

Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Prisoner of War Records Small Group Coaching

Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Records Small Group Coaching

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)

Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline

Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching

Military Monday – WWII Education

May 4, 2026 by Jennifer Holik Leave a Comment

For genealogists, family members, and military researchers, I have a month full of military programs to help you learn new skills and where to find records. As we move into Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day, a couple programs offer you the opportunity to research your family’s war dead. To learn more about these programs and register, click here to see upcoming small group coaching sessions. My coaching sessions are so focused that you will learn new tips, new tools, receive extensive workbooks, and get you unstuck.

You can also book these as private sessions for yourself or your genealogy group. Contact me to learn how.

Army Morning Reports Small Group Coaching

Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. CST or Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. CST or Wednesday May 20 at 7:00 p.m. CST or Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. CST

WWII Death Records Small Group Coaching

Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. CST

Organize Your Military Research Group Coaching

Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. CST or Wednesday, May 20 a 11:00 a.m. CST

Army Records Small Group Coaching

Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. CST or Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST

WWII POW Records Small Group Coaching

Wednesday, May 13, at 7:00 p.m. CST

WWII Records Guided Group Coaching

Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. CST

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