Winter is setting in and it’s the perfect time to expand your genealogical and military research and writing education. From now through 31 December 2023, I have special offers for you.
Take 20% off these classes. Use discount code: WINTER23
Introduction to Genogram
Why Was Grandma So Mean
Exploring Family Patterns and Stories
Ancestral Time Travel: Timeline
My Doughboy’s Story
Explore those classes and purchase in the Webinar section of the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School. https://www.ancestralsoulswisdomschool.com/webinars
Take $50 off these programs. Use discount code: WINTER50
Honoring Our Heroes – 6 military webinars + coaching session
Genetic Memories – 4 family pattern and ancestral healing webinars + coaching session
Explore these two classes on the main Store page at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School. https://www.ancestralsoulswisdomschool.com/store
Do you need some reference books or an activity to do with your children or grandchildren?
Pick up a copy of my newest book, Research a Veteran Journal & Workbook.
You can also explore all my military research and writing books, genealogy books, Ancestral Healing Journals and Notebooks on the Books Page at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School. All books are available on Amazon. https://www.ancestralsoulswisdomschool.com/jenniferholik-books
New genealogy, family pattern, and military articles on Substack! Are you looking for new content, new ideas, new ways to expand your genealogical skills or research, subscribe to my free substack and receive new articles every month. https://jenniferholik.substack.com/
Content / Sidebar
Is Access to the WWII Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPFs) Getting Easier & Faster?
For more than a decade, access to the WWII Individual Deceased Personnel Files or IDPFs, has undergone massive change. It has been frustrating to researchers who want to find answers about their family’s veterans and to professionals like me who want to give families answers, closure and some peace.
I began using these files in 2010 when they were access through NARA at Suitland, MD. Then access began to change to Ft. Knox Army Human Resource Command because the files were being digitized for DPAA MIA projects. All taxpayer funded of course at the same time access was reduced or stopped or made extremely difficult.
There have been times when we couldn’t access these files easily or it would take months or years to receive a response from Ft. Know Army Human Resource Command. I can’t remember exactly what year but it was after 2015 or 2016, surnames A-L for these files were sent to NPRC in St. Louis for researchers to access easily. The catch was you get to pay for them (again) even though they were already digitized. Surnames M-Z became extremely difficult to get and for a period of a few years, it took months to years to get files from Ft. Knox because of whatever system they had going prior to Covid. At the same time all this was happening, the M-Z files were supposed to go to NPRC prior to 2020 and they never did.
Earlier this year NARA began posting on their catalog, the IDPFs, focusing on surnames A-C only. I vaguely remember seeing this catalog and since there wasn’t much in it, I kind of forgot about it until last night when someone share it on social media. So I took another look. There are still only surnames A-C and it isn’t complete. I have many files that still haven’t been uploaded within that range. And there are files out there I’ve never seen.
So how do we currently access WWII IDPFs?
- For Surnames A-L go search the NARA catalog to see if it’s been uploaded. If not,
- You can get Surnames A-L through NPRC in St. Louis.
- For Surnames M-Z you can send a FOIA request via email to Army Human Resource Command usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.foia@army.mil and include the details about your service member (Name, Service Number, Death Date, Unit, and your contact info.) Ft. Knox is currently responding to requests within a month which is incredibly fast. Get your requests in soon because you never know when things will change.
IDPF for 2nd Lt. David Blake
I’ve read hundreds of IDPFs and I keep a log of the ones that have new information I’ve never seen. Most files contain similar pieces of information and documents but others provide the unexpected. Adoption records, vital records, divorce papers, probate files, mental hospital commitment papers for a family member, and rare photos.
Photos are so rare in these files it’s always exciting to come across one. As I was scanning the NARA catalog this morning I was called by 2nd Lt. David Blake to look at his file. It’s 182 pages long and contains two photos with pencil notations about what happened to him and his crew. You can download and read his file and view the complete photos on NARA’s site.
Do you need assistance with your WWI, WWII, or Korea research or writing project? I am taking new clients. Email me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com to set up a free phone consult to discuss your project.
© 2023 WWII Research & Writing Center
2024 Speaking Engagements
I have just updated my Speaking calendar for the end of 2023 and through mid-2024. If your organization would like to book me to speak, please visit my programs page at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School to see what’s available and then email jennifer@ancestralsouls.com to schedule your dates.
Speaking Engagements 2023-2024
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Book your 2024 80th Anniversary of D-Day or 2025 80th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day Program now. See possibilities for programming.
Email Jennifer to book.
Thursday 7 December 2023 7:00 p.m. CST
Research a Veteran. Live program for the Elburn, IL Library.
2024 Programs
January
Thursday 4 January 2024 7:00 p.m. CST
The Greatest Generation. Live program for the Elburn, IL Library.
Tuesday January 16, 2024 1:00 p.m. EDT
Research a Veteran Live webinar for the Mt. Vernon Genealogical Society
Tuesday January 23, 2024 10:00 a.m. PDT
Research a Veteran Live webinar for the North San Diego County Genealogical Society
February
Tuesday February 20, 2024 1:00 p.m. EDT
The Greatest Generation Live webinar for the Mt. Vernon Genealogical Society
Tuesday February 27, 2024 10:00 a.m. PDT
The Greatest Generation Live webinar for the North San Diego County Genealogical Society
March
Wednesday March 6, 2024 7:00 p.m. CST
Wise Female Ancestors Live program at the Cary, IL Library.
Saturday March 9, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. EST
Why Was Grandma So Mean? Zoom program for the North East Ohio Computer Assisted Genealogy.
Monday March 11, 2024 7:00 p.m. PST
Research a Veteran Live program for the Livermore/Amador Genealogical Society, CA
April
Tuesday April 2, 2024 10:30 a.m. CDT
Research a Veteran Live program for the Niles-Main District Library, 6960 Oakton Street, Niles, IL
Monday April 8, 2024 7:00 p.m. PST
The Greatest Generation Live program for the Livermore/Amador Genealogical Society, CA
May
Tuesday May 7, 2024 10:30 a.m. CDT
The Greatest Generation Live program for the Niles-Main District Library, 6960 Oakton Street, Niles, IL
Wednesday May 8, 2024 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Research a VeteranZoom program for the Pike’s Peak Genealogical Society, CO
Thursday May 9, 2024 7:00 p.m. CDT
Research a VeteranLive program for the Fox Valley Genealogical Society, Naperville, IL. This event will be held at one of the Naperville Libraries (TBD as of Nov. 2023).
June
Wednesday June 12, 2024 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time
The Greatest GenerationZoom program for the Pike’s Peak Genealogical Society, CO
Thursday June 13, 2024 7:00 p.m. CDT
The Greatest GenerationLive program for the Fox Valley Genealogical Society, Naperville, IL. This event will be held at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Honoring Our Heroes Programs
If you missed this fall’s live series of Honoring Our Heroes and would still like to learn how to research your WWI or WWII veteran, the programs are available to purchase. Military research and writing the stories makes a great winter activity and now is the perfect time to sign up because we are in the season of family gatherings where you can ask questions about your veteran ancestors. Full details and registration link.
What’s included:
Learn my 2-part military research strategy and how to advance your research for any WWI, WWII, Korea or Vietnam service member, even if the records burned. This pre-recorded series contains six webinars plus a 30-minute private coaching session. Access to these programs is one year.
Coaching session must be used within 6 weeks of purchase of program or you lose it. Programs include:
- Research a Veteran (Research strategy part 1)
- The Greatest Generation (Research strategy part 2)
- World War II Sacrifice
- Exploring the Online Battlefield
- Your Doughboy’s Story (WWI research)
- Battlefield Stories (start writing your stories)
Veterans Day Military Class in Wilmette, IL
Saturday, November 11 starting at 12:00 p.m. I’ll be speaking live at the Wilmette IL Library (1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL) in cooperation with the North Suburban Genealogical Society. No registration is required and I’ll be teaching my two-part military research strategy.
12:00 p.m. Research a Veteran
Short break and refreshments plus announcements from the genealogy society.
by 2:30 p.m. The Greatest Generation
Q&A will be part of both programs and I’ll have some time after to chat with attendees and answer more questions. This is an event you won’t want to miss. Hope to see you there! Details below on what you’ll learn. I am booking these programs and other genealogy and military research programs through 2024. Contact me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com to book me for your genealogy society, library, senior center, veteran program, or school.
Research a Veteran
Exploring the Basics of Military Research
This is part 1 of the research strategy.
All the records DID NOT burn. Answers can be found and stories written no matter what anyone tells you. There is a strategy to correctly research 20th century military service, regardless of branch. In this session you will learn:
- Where to begin your research at home.
- What questions to ask.
- The first part of the research strategy to learn any veteran’s story from any 20th century war and and military branch.
- What records you need to establish the foundation and where to locate them.
- How to create a timeline of service.
- How to begin writing the story.
I use storytelling along with the records to help you understand the deeper impacts of service. You might want a tissue for the story at the end of this session.
Exploring the Greatest Generation
Adding Context to the Veteran’s Story
This is part 2 of the research strategy.
Contextual records are everywhere, not just the National Archives!
Once you have established what units your service member was in and where they served, it is time to explore unit-level records.
In this program you’ll explore:
- The second part of the research strategy to piece together your veteran’s story.
- How to add to your timeline of service and expand the narrative.
- Explore various histories, journals, photos, and maps for all the military branches.
- You will learn about the most valuable foundational records to put your service member into context and write a richer story everyone will want to read.
These records help you write the narrative to your stories. They will also help you understand why your veteran was who they were after service, and probably bring up more questions for you to consider.
© 2023 WWII Research & Writing Center
Ancestral Healing Group Zoom Meetings Scheduled
In 2020-2021, I ran a lot of Zoom meetings for military research and genealogy/ancestral healing. A lot of things shifted and I stopped doing them for a long time. Now, I’m bringing back online community meetings to discuss genealogy, military research, writing, ancestral healing, inherited trauma, genealogy tools, books, and more!
This time I’m doing things a little differently.
Announcing the Ancestral Healing Group!
These sessions will run on select Wednesday evenings. All current dates for sessions can be found at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School Store. You can choose the session(s) you’d like to attend and register. There is a small fee for these sessions. Current sessions will be September 20, 27, October 4, 18, November 1.
Because these are paid programs, those who register will receive a link to download the session replay. So even if you register and something comes up, you can still get the video replay. Registrants will have one week to download the file before it’s gone.
Each session will have a different topic so you can register for as many as you’d like! When applicable, there will be a worksheet of additional topic resources.
Would you like to join us? Register today at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School Store to save your spot!
© 2023 World War II Research and Writing Center
Honoring Our Heroes Program
Announcing the Honoring Our Heroes Program!
Starting Saturday 9 September at 10:00 a.m. CDT, I’m hosting six weekly webinars on researching your WWI and WWII service members and writing their stories. These will run weekly through 21 October. There will not be a class on 7 October.
In these 75-90 minute sessions before Q&A, you will get all the information you need to research and write your stories. I’ll even be sharing some travel planning tips for those who are traveling for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in 2024 and the 80th of VE Day in 2025!
Early Bird registrants (offer expires 4 September) receive a discounted price and a 30-minute coaching session.
Programs include:
- Research a Veteran (Research strategy part 1)
- The Greatest Generation (Research strategy part 2)
- World War II Sacrifice
- Exploring the Online Battlefield
- Your Doughboy’s Story (WWI research)
- Battlefield Stories (start writing your stories)
Learn more about each program & register today.
The Early Bird Pricing and Coaching Session offer expires 4 September and then the price goes up. Grab your spot today!
© 2023 WWII Research & Writing Center
New Program Available
Saturday 12 August I’m speaking for the Genealogy Study Group of West Michigan.
This NEW program is now on my website for booking at your society or organization through 2024. You can view all my program options here which includes a PDF download.
Program: Circle of Influence. Using Genealogy & FAN to Identify Family Patterns and Trauma
We’ve heard of the FAN concept in genealogy – Friends, Associates, and Neighbors – as a way to locate genealogical records to prove the “John Smith” in the records is or is not your John Smith. Have you ever considered using this concept another way to help you identify why an ancestor was the way they were or carried certain patterns?
Using case studies, in this new program we will explore the FAN concept with an added F for FAMILY and create the web of who was involved in an ancestor’s life or even your own, that influence who you became, the beliefs, behaviors and patterns lived and possibly any traumas that may have been passed down.
Email me at info@wwiirwc.com to book a program for your organization.
© 2023 WWII Research & Writing Center