WWII Research & Writing Center

Recent Articles

Article Archive

Article Categories

IDPF

Would you Like to Share Your Story of War?

by Leave a Comment

journal-and-penThroughout the last five years I have focused my life and work on learning how to research and write the stories of World War II, so I could provide education to others who wish to do the same, my work has taken the road never traveled. I created the only books on the market to teach the basics of research, even when the records burned. I’m teaching programs (seven in total now) in the U.S. and Europe to help people learn where the information can be found and how to analyze it and write about it. I help clients learn the stories of their family members and answer questions which bring healing and closure.

In August of this year I launched a program, Honoring World War II Service Together, to help bridge the gap between American and European researchers to help preserve more stories of war before they are forgotten. Expanded information about this program will be featured in two national publications in the spring of 2017. I am also bringing the spiritual and healing side of life and war together with this research and education. If you have followed me the last year, you know this is an important part of who I am and what I contribute to the world.

Untold stories.

Silenced voices.

Missing family lines.

Individuals, families, and communities devastated.

Mourning.

Experiences and lessons not shared.

A loss of connection.

Pain and a lack of resolution and healing.

As the focus of the work I do is now shifting due to the changing culture surrounding WWII research in the U.S. and Europe, I’m changing course and creating another road never traveled. Part of the mission of this work is to help others tell their stories of war. Whether you are a family member, grave adopter, tour guide, researcher, or anyone else interested in the stories of war, I invite you to tell your stories.

For a limited time, I am taking guest post submission for the World War II Research and Writing Center. To have your story considered for publication on the website, it must contain the following:

  • The story of your soldier you wish to share written in English.
  • Details about his service and life. Please add a section at the end of the story telling our readers what sources you used to tell the story (IDPF, OMPF, newspaper articles, family members, letters, Morning Reports, Mission Reports, War Diaries, photos, etc.)
  • Why are you interested in this soldier’s story? Are you a family member, grave adopter, re-enactor, etc.? Please explain why sharing this story is important to you.
  • How did the research you did, and writing of the story, affect you or change your life? How did it change your view of the war?
  • If you are a grave adopter, were you able to connect with this soldier’s family? How did that experience help you and the family learn about the soldier, the war, and answer questions that may have been buried for years?
  • What questions do you still have or what information are you seeking?
  • How can people contact you if they would like to learn more or share information with you? Please include your email, website, or Facebook page if you have one so people can contact you directly.

Submissions can be emailed to info@wwiirwc.com with the subject STORIES OF WAR SUBMISSION by 4 December 2016 – please put the story in the body of the email. No attachments.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

When the Dead Speak – An Unknown Soldier at Margraten

by Leave a Comment

If you have followed my writing on my website, Facebook, or in magazines for at least a year, you know I’m a spiritual person. I feel and sense the dead, walk through a cemetery and hear their cries, feel their anger, sadness, and loneliness, and hear their stories. They communicate through me so I can give them a voice. I often help cross them over into the light. Through the work I do and places I go, I heal them, others, and myself in the process.

Some of my experiences in Europe can be found in last year’s trip articles Traveling In Their Footsteps. Since that time I’ve focused more on WWII education and things in life, than the spiritual side of my work. Recent events have pushed me to take a look at this side of work with fresh eyes and an open heart. The dead have so much to teach us if we allow it.

For almost two months, there is a story that wants to be told, which I have debated telling. I can’t hold it back any longer.

On 30 September 2016, I visited Margraten Cemetery. My fiancé adopted two graves there which we were visiting, and also the grave a friend asked I visit. This grave was for Sgt. Fernando Rangel, 776th Bomber Squadron, 464th Bomb Group (Heavy). He was KIA on 11 December 1944 and buried at Plot P Row 22 Grave 13. This is the last row of the cemetery on the right side if you are standing in front of the chapel looking at the graves.

margraten-unknown-gordonNext to Rangel’s grave at Plot P Row 22 Grave 14 was an Unknown Soldier. My fiancé touched his grave and quickly removed his hand and commented on the energy. I touched his grave and felt extreme sadness, anger, and loneliness. It felt like this soldier had a story that must be told. I stood at the grave with my hand on it for a long time sending him healing and listening to him. After a short time the energy shifted but not enough to make him happy.

Who was possibly in this grave? I had to see what the records said. I went into the office at Margraten and asked for the X-File number of this grave.

Did you know, for every single soldier, sailor, or Marine who was Killed In Action or died during the war, there is an IDPF – Individual Deceased Personnel File. The IDPF lists the name, unit, serial number/service number, and death information for that individual. This file exists even for those who are still considered Missing In Action today.

For the Unknown soldiers who are buried in graves marked Unknown – there is an X-File. An X-File contains the same paperwork in most cases, as the IDPF, except it does not have the soldier’s name, unit, serial number/service number. That was unknown to Graves Registration Service at the time identifications were being made. You can view IDPFs and other records under RESEARCH on this website. There are file examples. Under EDUCATION you will find articles about these records. Under BOOKS you can order a copy of one of my WWII research books to learn even more about IDPFs and death records.

AMBC cemeteries seem hesitant to give out X-file numbers, at least that was the response I got. I was questioned as to why I wanted this information, even though the office staff knew who I was and what I do. Perhaps this is because most people do not understand the records created for Unknowns and it would stir up a lot of discussion and issue with ABMC, DPAA, and other organizations doing MIA research. There was no education about Graves Registration and identification after the war and almost none exists still today to the general public.

I was able to get the X-File number for this Unknown and I did obtain his X-File. I’m still waiting for Ft. Knox to open up their servers so IDPFs can go out again (it’s been down 2 months,) so I can see the IDPF for the soldier that might be in this grave. The X-File pointed much evidence to a man named John W. Gordon. Gordon is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Epinal.

The X-File had information on the death, identification that was attempted, burial, and information from the next of kin, which stated unless a positive identification could be made, the widow and John’s mother, did not want to hear from the military again. Reading this made me understand why John W. Gordon felt so angry and sad. Maybe he could have been identified then, or maybe not. The technology we have today with DNA, did not exist back then. Based on dental records in his file, a positive identification could not be made at that time. Today, maybe one could be made if a case was strong enough for DPAA to disinter the remains and test.

John W. Gordon was KIA 17 Jan 1945. He was part of G Company 157th Infantry Regiment 45th Division. His last residence in the U.S. was Winnetka, IL. I live about 30 minutes away from Winnetka. John received posthumously, a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and CIB. I felt the close connection I have to where he lived was one reason he reached out that day.

I did some research on John W. Gordon and found a FindAGrave entry with his photo. He was a very handsome young man. I also contacted the photo contributor and have learned a lot about John, his life, and the research the family today has done into his service. His family has been in touch with DPAA and submitted DNA.When I emailed the contributor, John’s spirit was with me, guiding me as to what to write, and encouraging me to not let his story die.

I pulled some of his Morning Reports to learn a little about G Company and where he was KIA. I know he was sick a lot in the field hospitals between October and December 1944. According to Morning Reports, the day John and several men in his company went Missing, they were located near Phalsbourg, France. I’m still waiting on his IDPF to see what other information it contains. His OMPF (service file) burned in 1973.

There is still much to learn about John, his life, service, and death. There are lessons to pass along and healing to be done. Once his story is told, maybe he will be at peace. Maybe he knows he can be identified and wants DPAA to look at his case again. Maybe he wants us all to remember those who died during the war, and those who have died since, and know they ALL have stories to tell. It is up to us, the living, to give them a voice so their sacrifice will not be forgotten. The sacrifice of death in war or the sacrifice of leaving their lives to go fight and return.

Are you telling the stories of the dead? Are you passing their lessons on to the next generation? Do you walk into the cemetery and feel their pain, hear their voices, and want to help? Not everyone can sense this, but we can all do the research and write the stories so these men and women will not be forgotten.

Read John’s X-File

Read John’s IDPF

UPDATE 31 January 2024

John W. Gordon was identified on 13 July 2022. You can read about it on DPAA’s press release. I’m so excited! I hope his spirit has chosen to pass to the next level on his journey now that he has been freed from his Unknown status. He was buried on 23 October 2023 at Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. His obituary and video of his funeral can be found at the Harder Funeral Home website.

Can I help you with your research?

Are you ready to learn the bigger picture of your family member’s military service? Email us at info@wwiirwc.com to set up your free phone consultation today to discuss project options, fees, and time. You can also sign-up for our free newsletter.

© 2016 (and 2024) World War II Research and Writing Center

Clarification from NPRC on IDPF Availability

by Leave a Comment

idpf-records-access-changeI received the following from an archivist at NPRC regarding my prior post about the IDPF availability change. I also understand the servers at Ft. Knox which hold the IDPFs are still down. It’s been about two months and we are still waiting to find out when these files will be available again.

The National Archives-St. Louis is in the process of receiving large portions of the Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPF) created by the U.S. Army to document deaths in service that occurred during the period 1939-1976. Eventually the National Archives-St. Louis will hold all of the records. By early February 2017, it will have received approximately half of the records that cover the period ca. 1939-1954. These records were maintained by the Army in an alphabetical arrangement, and selected files in this group are being digitized by the Defense Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Accounting Agency (DPAA). DPAA has completed their digitization of the A-L portion of the alphabet, and these records along with the post-Korean War files (1954-1976), which are NOT being digitized, are currently being shipped to St. Louis from the Washington National Records Center (WNRC) in Suitland, Maryland. To date (November 18, 2016), the National Archives-St. Louis has received five (5) of eight (8) tractor trailer shipments; the 8th and final load is due to be received the first week of February 2017. The remainder of the 1939-1954 alphabetical group will be received as DPAA completes its digitization project over the next few years.

It should be noted that the Army’s Graves Registration Service had responsibility for dealing with the remains of deceased personnel from all branches of the military until well into the 1950s or early 1960s. As a result, records for deceased members of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and independent Air Force may be included among the earlier files. Furthermore, it must be emphasized that DPAA’s digitizing effort has been conducted for its own business purposes and does not involve comprehensive scanning of these records. Only selected files, and in many cases only portions of selected files, have been scanned. The only complete instance of this records series exists in the original paper files that have been transferred to the National Archives.

Can I help you with your research?

Are you ready to learn the bigger picture of your family member’s military service? Email us at info@wwiirwc.com to set up your free phone consultation today to discuss project options, fees, and time. You can also sign-up for our free newsletter and receive the Start Writing Your Military Story Today free! Are you following Jennifer and all her work on all her social media sites? Click the link to learn more and find different content. © 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

WWII Education – Searching University Archival Collections

by 2 Comments

universitycollimage
The Famous Four: L-R Jim Smith 47th Tk Bn, Elton Ross 48th Tk Bn, Phil Snoberger 68th A.I.B. and Ken Baugh 68th A.I.B. Photo courtesy Mikel Shilling.

I have been talking about and sharing a lot of resources on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter the last week that encourage WWII researchers to think outside the box for research. Move beyond the usual sites to help you dig deep and find resources you didn’t know existed (mostly because no one every told you to look!)

Let’s explore what may be available in university archive special collection using an example from the University at Illinois – Urbana-Champaign Student Life and Cultural Archives

  • Letters, V-mail, cards, and postcards
  • Photographs of men who attended the university prior to, during, or after the war.
  • Schoolwork and grades
  • Memoirs written after the war about their experiences.
  • Notes from books a service member wrote about the war.
  • Military documents
  • Programs from events
  • Film footage
  • Sound bytes
  • Photo albums
  • Newspapers
  • Maps
  • Diaries
  • Fraternity and other clubs and social group records and photos
  • Publications from university and groups
  • Military training and program information. Many universities trained service personnel on campuses across the country and have records in their archives.

What can you learn about a soldier’s life from these items?

  • Vital statistics – birth, marriage, and death data.
  • Family information – parents, siblings, spouses, children. This may lead you to finding living family members.
  • If a family member donated records the soldier recorded and shipped home, you might get to hear your soldier’s voice. One client I worked with last year sent me recordings of his dad’s records. His dad died during the war. It was incredibly emotional to sit and look at his photographs and listen to his voice all these years later.
  • Information about their life prior to the war, while they attended school, and after the war.
  • Read original and possibly unpublished manuscripts about their wartime experience.
  • Find photographs to put a face with a name.
  • Put your soldier into historical context by understanding what his life was like at the university or town where he lived. Soldiers are more than a photograph and short summary of their service. They had a life before (but not always after) the war.

What exciting things have you discovered using University Archival Collections? Please share with us in the comments.

Learn more about how I can help you research your WWII soldier, sailor, or Marine through my research services.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

Finding U.S. WWII Records & Photos – Are They Where You Think They Are?

by 4 Comments

where-are-records-imageI observe a lot of WWII conversations on Facebook, mostly in groups where people are asking for information on American WWII soldiers, sailors, and Marines. I observe several people replying with the same old free database links that everyone knows about, that will help you start your research but not take you deep enough into what you really want to know. How do we move from the same old links to something new and helpful?

First, understand that in America, unlike some countries in Europe, our WWII records are not in one archive within a state or the country. They are scattered throughout our National Archives branches across the country, Library of Congress, University library special collections, State libraries/archives/historical societies, local libraries/archives/historical societies, genealogical societies, WWII reunion groups or associations, Presidential Libraries, and many other locations.

Related to this is that the Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) or service files are not digitized and online. This is one file you do want to help you piece together your soldier’s story. The Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPF) or death files are not online. Read more about records and access.

Second, most of our records are not digitized. Many archives, libraries, and organizations are working toward this end, but we are far from accomplishing this.

To really dig into the history of your soldier’s life, whether he is a family member or someone whose grave you adopted in Europe at an ABMC cemetery, you must dig into paper records at the various repositories. How can you do this if you live far away?

  • Hire a researcher who lives in that locale to visit the archive and research for you. If the researcher has a website (recommended), then see if people have endorsed their research skills. Review the website to make sure they know what they are talking about and have the kind of research experience you are looking for.

Often, repositories have researcher for hire lists on their websites. Beware! Most repositories do not vet the people who want to be on those lists so you take your chances when hiring those people. Contacting genealogical societies is often a good idea because the board members can refer you to the researcher in their group they know can do the work you need.

  • Search the finding aids and collection guides to discover all the available resources.
  • Explore the access to records section of the archive’s website.
    • Can you visit in person, hire a researcher, send an email or letter asking for research to be conducted?
    • What are the fees associated with this?
    • How long does it usually take to receive a response?
  • Look in unexpected places! Contact the smaller museums, repositories, libraries, organizations that have almost nothing on their website. These repositories often have records that are not listed online or not digitized, but available. Smaller repositories often do not have the funding to accomplish what larger facilities can. A couple of years ago I volunteered at a local Italian American Veterans Museum. They had no funds and almost nothing on the website. But in the closet – boxes of Chicago related Italian American WWII files, photographs, documents, uniforms, and more. Sometimes you have to inquire. You might be surprised what you find.

Finally, for the more experienced researcher who has a better idea of what specific information they seek, talk to other researchers to find out where the really good stuff is hiding.

To help you start your journey into unexpected repositories, please visit my State Specific WWII Resource pages. If you know of a repository that should be on this list (which is a work in progress and will never be complete), feel free to comment and share the link.

Learn more about how I can help you research your WWII soldier, sailor, or Marine through my research services.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

WWII Education – Indiana WWII Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Resource

by 1 Comment

james-luxembourg-35-editedThere are so many WWII resources available it is hard to keep up with them all because some are online, some are in various libraries, archives, universities, and other places in the country. One resource I used again this week is the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s Our Military Heritage section. If you are researching WWII soldiers, sailors, or Marines from the state of Indiana (and looking for photographs!!!) this is the place to start.

The Allen County Public Library is a massive genealogical research library. You can find many published family history books there and many WWI and WWII resources. They have done a great job of digitizing materials and adding photographs to their digital archives online.

In the WWII section you will find:

  • Biographies
  • Burials (Luxembourg Cemetery Walls of the Missing)
  • Diaries
  • Individuals – this is a list of Indiana men and women who served. Some died in service and at least one has his IDPF as part of his record.
  • Letters
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Original Documents
  • Photographs
  • Posters
  • Unit Histories and Rosters (think digitized books!)
  • Videos
  • Battles and War

If you look at the main page for Our Military Heritage, you’ll see some other resources that might be useful for WWII research.

You can also Share Materials.

I encourage you to visit this site if you have Indiana soldiers, sailors, or Marines you are researching. You never know what you’ll find. And check back often as it sounds like they add to their holdings as items are donated!

Learn more about how I can help you research your WWII soldier, sailor, or Marine through my research services.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

WWII Education – Uncovering a Sailor’s Story in a Navy Service File

by 2 Comments

World War II research is a combination of online and offline research. Unfortunately, many researchers will tell you it’s all online and provide you with the same free database links over and over which do not move your research forward. It is important to follow the research process and pursue all leads, whether they are online or primarily offline. Navy records are one example of what is now becoming a good combination of online + offline materials because of digitization by Fold3. It is important to know that OMPFs are not being digitized at this time by NPRC in St. Louis so you will not find these valuable files online.

Today we will explore the Navy Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) or the service file. These files contain a lot of family information in addition to service information. Navy OMPFs were not affected by the 1973 NPRC fire and are intact. There is a fee to obtain copies. This record is held at the NPRC in St. Louis and you can read more about how to obtain this record in my article, WWII Education – Difference Between the OMPF and IDPF.

george-t-howe-jr-photoLook at the OMPF for George T. Howe, Jr., a naval pilot who is still Missing In Action today in the Pacific off the coast of California. (Not to be confused with his father George T. Howe who served in the Navy and rose to Lt. Commander. I have his OMPF, which is over 800 pages long.) When you request files be sure to include the service/serial number and birth date so NPRC doesn’t pull the almost right name but wrong man.

What can we learn about his life and service from his OMPF?

  • His file contains a few photographs. Many Navy files, but not all, especially pre-1940 files, contain photographs of the sailor or pilot.
  • George was born in Panama as evidence by his birth certificate. His father was stationed there at the time.
  • There are school records, letters of recommendation, and a letter written by George explaining why he would like to enter the service. Due to his education, he is attempting to enter as an officer.
  • Flight training information is included.
  • Details about his father and his service are listed in a biography.
  • We can trace the units George was in from training until death.
  • Upon his MIA status in 1943, we know what personal effects were inventoried and returned to his parents.
  • A certificate of death is included because he was given a Finding of Death (FOD) one year plus one day after the date he went Missing. This FOD is the official death date issued by the military so his family could collect death benefits and insurance.
  • A memo about his final flight.
  • Handwritten letter from his mother indicating she knows her son is still alive. Sadly he was never found.
  • At the end of the file is a letter from his mother to the military in 1951 indicating she had a vision he was still alive. Again, George T. Howe, Jr. was never recovered.

What can you do with all this information? Put together a timeline of service so you know where the sailor was, what units he was in, when he transferred, any illneses (where there are medical records), locate family information, and begin the process of seeking other records like his Naval Accident Report, unit records, and articles about him online.

Finally, because records access differs between the U.S. and Europe, please read, Why WWII Research Isn’t Free.  Also read, Tips for Starting WWII Research.

Have you obtained the OMPF for you adopted soldier? What interesting information did you find? How did it help you move your research forward?

I am taking new clients at this time if you are interested in working with a researcher to pull records for any military branch. I’m also scheduling speaking appearances in Europe for 2017. Please contact me if your group is interested in a program. I have seven to choose from on my website.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center

WWII Education – Coast Guard Service Files (OMPFs) and Death Files (IDPFs)

by Leave a Comment

normandy-abmc-cemetery-58There is so much talk about Army and Air Force records from World War II, that today I want to switch gears and talk about Coast Guard records. I have observed through conversations on social media, that when people think about the Coast Guard for WWII, they think of either the Pacific Theater of Operations or Normandy. The public has a general knowledge that the Coast Guard assisted in the transportation of troops and materials during the war, especially for the Pacific Theater or D-Day. Did you know there are 698 Coast Guard service members listed on the Wall of the Missing or buried at the following cemeteries?

  • East Coast Memorial (Wall of the Missing)
  • Ardennes American Cemetery
  • Brittany American Cemetery
  • Cambridge American Cemetery
  • Honolulu Memorial
  • Manila American Cemetery
  • Normandy American Cemetery
  • North African American Cemetery
  • Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
  • West Coast Memorial (Wall of the Missing)

Obtaining the OMPF

Have you adopted the grave of a Coast Guard service member and investigated his life and service? The Coast Guard records were not affected by the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is still intact there and can be requested by anyone. You can download Form 180 from the NPRC website, complete, and mail in. NPRC will let you know what the charge will be for a copy of the file.

What does the OMPF for a Coast Guard member contain? Depending on when the individual enlisted, it may contain the following items. This list is by no means complete as each file varies in content. View a sample of what is in Lt. Thomas James Crotty’s file. Crotty served in the Pacific Theater, but his file is a good example of what other Coast Guard files contain.

  • School records and grades.
  • Letters of recommendation, especially if the individual was going in as an officer, from school and employers.
  • Photographs (usually closer to WWII you’ll find more photographs, earlier files do not always contain a photo.)
  • Medical history and health records while in service.
  • A letter or essay written by the individual explaining his history, education, and reasons for wanting to join the military.
  • Training information.
  • Overseas station information.
  • Insurance and next-of-kin information.
  • Often the files contain handwritten letters from family members if the individual was MIA, POW, or KIA.
  • Pieces of documents found in the IDPF.
  • Death information.

Obtaining the IDPF

The Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) or death file, should also be requested. Edited August 2024 – To view the current locations to request IDPFs, surnames A-L and M-Z, read my article.  You can view Lt. Crotty’s full IDPF.

What does the IDPF contain? Again, this list is by no means complete.

  • Location, time, date, and cause of death.
  • Location, time, date and place of temporary burial. Sometimes this is an isolated grave or unknown location until after the war.
  • Documents which detail burial, disinterment, final burial information.
  • Handwritten letters from family members.
  • Letters from the military, Congressmen, U.S. military organizations to the family.
  • Maps, search area testimony and documentation if the soldier was recovered from a crash site or not located immediately.
  • Dental and physical charts and information.
  • Stateside service training locations and dates.

To learn more about these files and other records you can get for WWII service members, please see the Education section of my website. Both Honoring Service and Education have many links to articles.

Would you like to know more about Lt. Thomas Crotty? Here are several links to articles about his life. He is still considered MIA and listed on the Tablet of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. May he never be forgotten.

I am taking new clients at this time if you are interested in working with a researcher to pull records for any military branch. I’m also scheduling speaking appearances in Europe for 2017. Please contact me if your group is interested in a program. I have seven to choose from on my website.

© 2016 (updated 2024) World War II Research and Writing Center

Stories of War Program at the CRASH Museum (Netherlands)

by Leave a Comment

jen-crash-museumInternational 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.

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

Honoring Service: 10 Things Genealogists Need to Know About European WWI and WWII Researchers

by Leave a Comment

Foundation group at book signingOver the last several years I have worked with, and collaborated with, many Europeans who research American WWI and WWII service. I’ve also observed that most genealogists do pre-WWI research only, because so many records are accessible online or in books for those wars.

Sadly, genealogists are missing out on a huge opportunity to learn more about members of their communities or families by not exploring the records available offline, working with overseas researchers, and speaking with veterans about their experiences. As part of the Honoring World War II Service Together program I launched in August, I’d like to share 10 things genealogists should know about these incredible researchers.  It is my hope through these articles that more people will begin connecting and collaborating. You might be surprised at what you learn about your WWI or WWII family member that you didn’t know!

  1. Language. One reason I believe many Americans do not pursue overseas research is the language barrier. However, many researchers speak English, or speak it well enough to communicate (with some patience on both parties). Sometimes the researcher has friends who can translate messages. When all else fails, there is Google Translate.
  2. Researchers who have adopted a grave to honor at an ABMC cemetery, or do WWI or WWII re-enactment, or research what took place in the town or city where they live, have often done a lot of research on their own to learn the soldier’s story. They might have information and American records you do not. This includes photographs.
  3. Photographs are an important part of the research grave adopters and others do. Each person I’ve met or spoken with, strives to find a face to put with the name(s) of those they research.
    1. Do you know about The Faces of Margraten Project? The foundation, Stichting Verenigde Adoptanten Amerikaanse Oorlogsgraven (Foundation United Adopters American War Graves) who is selling my book “Faces of War: Researching Your Adopted Soldier” handles this amazing project. I attended the first Faces of Margraten in 2015. In 2016, the foundation added hundreds more photographs. The next Faces of Margraten will be in 2018, when the foundation hopes to have thousands more photos. Other ABMC cemeteries, like Cambridge, are following this great program and implementing it at their cemeteries.
    2. This group also runs the Fields of Honor Database, which currently contains three ABMC cemeteries, soon to be six. The goal is to tell the story of each soldier buried in these cemeteries or listed on the Wall of the Missing. They are always looking for more information and photographs.
  4. Living History is active and available in Europe. There are many WWI and WWII re-enactment groups. You can read more about that in my articles: 10 Things Americans Should Know About European WWII Re-Enactors and Honoring Service – Living History in the Netherlands.
  5. Many researchers have “boots on the ground” experience with the battlefields. They have walked where their adopted soldier fought and sometimes died. They know where the Memorials and Monuments are located, often off the beaten path and difficult for a tourist to locate. With this comes research, maps, photographs, and often testimony from veterans. I can say the best times I’ve had seeing WWII sites in Europe were with researchers who took me to see things I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. They also often sent me home with materials, pictures, and history, after filling my head with history all along the route we took during the day!

  6. Jennifer meets Jim "Pee Wee" Martin at the camp.
    Jennifer meets Jim “Pee Wee” Martin at the camp.

    Veterans are often in Europe and many researchers interview them. And on the flip side of the coin, many European researchers come to America to meet veterans or attend WWII reunions and talk to family members. There is much knowledge to be gained by speaking with veterans and family members.

  7. Europeans have easy access to libraries, museums, and archives that Americans do not. There are other records, sometimes in other languages, in Europe. Working with overseas researchers, allows us to gain access with their help to other records that might tell the story of our soldier. The museums also have items our soldiers used, wore, drove, or shot, which also add to their stories.
  8. Researchers are often seeking Next-Of-Kin for their soldiers. Perhaps you will connect with someone!
  9. Researchers use American and European newspapers to spread the word about visits overseas, new research, upcoming commemorations and memorial unveilings. When you search for your soldier online, you might be surprised to find an article in Dutch about him!
  10. Our American men and women helped to liberate their countries. Sometimes more than once. Many researchers feel they owe our soldiers, especially the ones who died for their freedom, a debt. There is deep love and commitment in most countries to preserve the memories of our soldiers. They honor the memories by participating in Memorial Day and Veterans Day services, commemorations for specific battles or units, Liberation Day ceremonies, and often the birthday and death day of soldiers.

    Laying the U.S. Paratrooper Society wreath at Margraten. Photo courtesy Andre Jans.
    Laying the U.S. Paratrooper Society wreath at Margraten. Photo courtesy Andre Jans.

    Photographs are usually taken at these events which can be shared with family members. At some of these ceremonies, Americans are invited to lay wreaths or flowers as part of the commemoration. I had the honor of doing this at Margraten for Memorial Day 2016.

There truly is a deep love and respect for our American soldiers in Europe. I encourage you to connect with these amazing researchers, tour guides, grave adopters, re-enactors, museum owners, and others who research in Europe.

Have you worked with European researchers? What was your experience? What other tips do you have for genealogists?

I am taking new clients at this time if you are interested in working with a researcher to pull records for any military branch. I’m also scheduling speaking appearances in Europe for 2017. Please contact me if your group is interested in a program. I have seven to choose from on my website.

© 2016 World War II Research and Writing Center