This spring I am presenting several programs in the Chicago area on researching and writing the stories of WWII service men and women. I hope to see you at one of my programs.
Tuesday, March 29, 10:30 a.m.
Finishing The Story
Tracing the life of a World War I or II soldier can be challenging. Researchers have been conditioned to believe “All the Records Burned!” Some did, but an abundance of other resources exist to reconstruct service history. Many researchers are unaware of the numerous military records and resources available.
In this program, explore the lives, service, and deaths of Michael Kokoska, Frank Winkler, and Robert Brouk. Genealogical, historical, and military records will be shown and discussed. Jennifer will demonstrate how to write the stories of your soldier through a brief reading from her books Stories of the Lost and The Tiger’s Widow. This program will be held at Ashton Place in Willowbrook for the West Lake Shore Unit of the Illinois Retire Teachers Association Membership Meeting.
Sunday, April 10, 2:00 p.m.
The Day That Lived in Infamy. Navigating World War II Military Records
All the records burned! A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, in 1973, destroyed approximately 80% of the Army, Air Corps, and National Guard records. This is not the end of the research possibilities for these soldiers. Many alternative record sources exist to reconstruct service history for these branches. Regardless of service branch, many records exist to tell your soldier, sailor, or Marine’s story. Learn how to research the records of World War II for any branch of the military in this informative program. This program will be held at the Winnetka-Northfield Library District.
Friday, April 29, 2:00 p.m.
Stories of the Lost
A continuation of “Finishing the Story,” we will explore the records available to tell the stories of those who died in service. We will also discuss those who took care of our Soldier Dead, the Graves Registration Service men. Learn about their job and the reasons it took so long to have our soldiers repatriated and what happened to the personal effects during the course of recovery and repatriation. This is an Indian Trails Library program which will be held at the Buffalo Grove Alcott Senior Center.
Saturday, May 14, 1:00 p.m.
The Day That Lived in Infamy. Navigating World War II Military Records
All the records burned! A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, in 1973, destroyed approximately 80% of the Army, Air Corps, and National Guard records. This is not the end of the research possibilities for these soldiers. Many alternative record sources exist to reconstruct service history for these branches. Regardless of service branch, many records exist to tell your soldier, sailor, or Marine’s story. Learn how to research the records of World War II for any branch of the military in this informative program. This program will be held at the Sandwich Public Library District.
Saturday, May 21, 2016, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Writing World War II Stories
Have you researched your World War II soldier and need tips on where to go next? Have you organized your materials – digital and paper records? Have you written the story? Are you unsure where to start? Through writing prompts, a writing formula, and time to write, attendees will work through the process of beginning a soldier’s story. Attendees are asked to bring a laptop or IPad, or paper and pencil, to work through writing prompts. A book will be available for purchase covering this topic in-depth, with workbook sections. This event will be held at the Orland Park Library.
© 2016 Jennifer Holik
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