Last week, reference was made to a storage warehouse fire that
destroyed many military records of surviving WWII veterans
(http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2007/0214.txt). It wasn't just
their records that were destroyed, but others too; those that served
right up until the fire.
However, there are other places people can find information and build
not only their genealogy, but the National Archive records that were
lost. I have at least fifteen WWII veterans and three WWI that
survived the War and I have found more information on each--I
actually started out not knowing half of them were veterans. I have
submitted the information to the National Archives to help rebuild
their records, and the website mentioned in last week's newsletter is
now another way to help them too.
The following are steps to help find information on any veteran who
is now deceased. (A living veteran can request his/her information
from the normal agencies.)
1) Death Records--Most death records include whether or not the
individual served in the armed forces. This and the age of the person
will give you an idea of when he/she served--the average age of entry
into any branch of service is eighteen to twenty (average only) for
when the draft was instated. The age was a little older at other
times.
2) Obituaries--Many obituaries will provide information on a relative
who served in the armed forces--or at least hint at it.
3) Headstone-Cemetery Records--One thing our qualifying military
members can receive is a free military headstone. Check headstones to
see if they note any information about your family member's military
record. If so contact the cemetery office--they could have even more
information because they help order the headstones most of the time.
They just might have kept a copy of the "Proof of Service." If this
is true then there is a branch of the government where this headstone
was ordered from: http://www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp. BE BOLD. Write or
call. Ask questions about the headstone and what proof was submitted
for that headstone to be issued and whether you can have a copy of
that proof.
4) County Court House Records--Go to the county court house where
your veteran was living when he/she enlisted or drafted, as well as
to the county where he/she resided after war or peace time service.
Many local county court houses encouraged veterans to register their
discharge papers, also known after WWII as DD214 forms. That way they
would have a safe place to find a copy when they needed one for
employment or for veteran benefits such as housing loans, burial
benefits, and more. Discharge papers are full of information!
5) Local Contacts--Don't forget about contacts at the local level
where your family member lived after his/her service. Contact the
local American Legion or VFW (Veteran of Foreign Wars) Organization.
They might have some additional information there if your veteran
joined their organization.
5) Local Newspapers--Check the local newspapers from when your family
served--local newspapers would and still do print the names of those
who have locally joined the service and include the branch,
promotions in rank, awards or medals issued, where those awards are
located, the service number, and a mailing address for friends and
family to write to the service member (especially true during war
time). Sometimes local papers even include a photo!
Many small and large newspapers are on microfilm and you can usually
get access to them through interlibrary loan--check with your library
for help on that. Since I live in another state than all my family I
have been doing this from a small town library, so you can too! If
you have to, locate a state library where your family lived, see if
they have the newspapers on microfilm, and armed with that
information, go to your local librarian.
6) Local Histories--Some communities have a local history naming many
of their veterans. It's worth a look.
7) National Archives--Even though they say most of their records were
destroyed, this does not mean all were. You can see what the National
Archives do have by visiting their website and following their
instructions. Fill out their forms with as much information as you
can fill out, but remember you don't have to have all of it either
(http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/military/).
8) Regional Veterans Administration Office (VA)--The last step that I
have found VERY HELPFUL after I have already gotten as much
information as possible is to contact your regional Veterans
Administration Office (VA). You can find this in your local phone
book, in the front "Federal Government Pages." There is usually an
800/toll-free number. Or, you can use this website to locate the one
nearest you no matter where in the U.S your veteran enlisted or
discharged from
(http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1).
Now contact your regional VA Office and find out the mailing address
to their "Freedom of Information Officer/Administrator" (FOIA). Write
to the regional center closest to you and put Attn: FOIA.
You will want to write a letter requesting copies of any and all VA
files. Please note that VA files are not a military file, but a
veterans administration file. Include the following information, if
available:
a) Your relationship to the veteran--son, grandson, grandfather,
grandmother, etc.
b) Veteran's full name
c) Veteran's date and place of birth--write all you know even if
you only have partial information
d) Veteran's date and place of death--again, include all you
know, even if incomplete
e) Veteran's branch of service and when or about when he/she
served, even if in the states. Even something like "Army WWII"
or "Navy Korean Conflict" is better than nothing
f) Veteran's service number and/or Social Security Number
g) Your name, address, and signature
Now the wait. On average this takes usually ninety to 120 days.
Remember that not every veteran has a VA file, but a lot do.
If you don't hear from the VA after 120 days, contact them and ask
about your request; they do get busy and the FOIA is a volunteer.
If there is a record it can consist of just a discharge form (great
information) and a burial request for a flag; or it can be jammed
full of information, such as enlistment papers, discharge papers, and
vital records on the veteran and his wife and children. Each file is
different, so keep that in mind when requesting them. Also, note that
the VA file is free!
I hope this helps those looking for their military family members.