I 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
There 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 O
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There 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?
Life in Europe is really different from life in the U.S. Every time I am there, I get to experience new things, visit new places, and become more immersed in how the European people (especially the Dutch!) honor our World War II soldiers. The things I see and take part in never cease to amaze me. Often because we do nothing like those things in the U.S. We don’t have commemorations like they do in Europe. We don’t have old guilds and people dressed in medieval clothing performing ceremonies to open Congress. It is a whole different world there and one I deeply love.
There are more sides of this story you have to tell. There is never just one version. You must tell ours and what happened to us.
We walk the camps day and night. You know we are there. We rise from the gas chambers, ovens, execution pits, beds, fields, and woods. Our souls yearn for peace. We did nothing to deserve this, and yet we are stuck here too.
Where is there peace in this camp? Some who survived eventually forgave their captors. Did they forgive themselves for living when others died? Did they make something of their spared lives? Or did they too rot away and turn to dust as we did?
The same can be said for World War II research. We have a starting point which could be a story, a soldier, a photograph, an artifact, or an event. When we choose to take the journey of that research, we travel a bumpy, twisty, often obstacle ridden road. Along that road we meet many people who enrich our experience and help us continue to move forward. We gather clues as we travel and uncover secrets buried deep in the recesses of the past. Exploring these secrets and revealing them can cause a turning point for many.
We stood at the crossroads in a sacred place full of love, strength and power. Two hearts joined again in this life which had been separated. In that moment they joined the past with the present. The fear with the love. The desire with hope. The impossible with the possible. Laughter, harmony, peace, joy, and love all mingled together at those crossroads. It was time to make a choice – return to the past or live in the present. Heal the pain and create a new future or remain stuck standing between two worlds across time and space. And all of this was orchestrated by someone long gone but never forgotten. Someone who knew her heart and how to heal her as she had healed him. There was still much to be done and this was only the first step.
It would not be an easy journey and the two may part ways at another crossroads, as often happens when we travel long roads. People greet us for only part of our travels while others stay. Those who stay often have different roles along the route. They provide laughter, a release. Love, acceptance, support, strength. They teach and provide clues for us to follow to piece together the vast puzzle of our journey.
The dark door was closed which was a sign to her that this path was not an option. She was being protected from going so deeply into the darkness. Her choice must be to forgive and move into the light and release the past. What took place in that doorway in the past was closed and sealed. He could no longer hurt her. She was stepping into more of her power and was protected and loved by so many. Taking the man’s hand in front of the open door, they stepped through together into a room that went on forever and was full of light.
What is the next step on her journey? To write the stories that people will remember. To write so people will learn how to capture and share their stories to heal the world. We are all connected in this giant web of life. My story is your story and through sharing, we all grow and heal in love.
There are those we meet on our journey into the mists from the crossroads. Those who give us tremendous healing. Traveling to the place where a loved one was lost forever is a solemn moment. Walking in the woods where James was killed was a moment in time I will never forget. It will stay with me forever. Walking across the spongy ground among the tall, silent trees swaying gently in the breeze under a sad, cloudy sky. Hearing whispers on the wind of thanks for coming to these woods. Whispers which reminded me I have a job to do. A job for which I was chosen. Whispers of appreciation because those who walk among the early morning mists know I will help tell their stories so they will not be forgotten. They have done their job and now it is time for me to continue mine. The writing will not be easy. The stories will be sad but through them we all heal. Letting go of the past does not mean we release all the parts of us that make us special. Letting go does not mean we give up gifts we are given in this lifetime. Letting go allows us to step more fully into our magic and power to create a better world tomorrow.
