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?
Lv 5
? asked in Arts & HumanitiesGenealogy · 9 years ago

How could I find out my grandfather's World War 2 History?

I have alway wondered about my grandfather's participation in World War 2 but, that entire side of the family has long since passed away. The only thing I have are his dog tags. Sorry if this ends up being posted in the wrong section of Yahoo Answers, if this happens please tell me where i should move it to.

thanks.

Update:

I probably should have mentioned that he was U.S.

4 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Some U.S. World War II military documents and records for individuals can be found using Ancestry.com.

    In the USA most public library systems provide free access to the US databases of Ancestry.com, so you will not need to pay for a subscription.

    However, you will need to go to the library (probably the main/headquarters branch) to access Ancestry.com for free, using the library's paid subscription and a library computer. Just telephone your local public library and ask about which library you need to visit to access Ancestry.com and ask about the hours of service. The library offering access to Ancestry.com will also be the place that holds the main genealogy collection for the public library system/network.

    When you go to the library, a reference librarian in the genealogy section can give you some one-on-one instruction on how to look for WWII military records for your grandfather. Most of the WWII military records are still not online however. As Joyce B advises, for those, you will have to go through the National Archives and Records Administration (http://www.archives.gov/ )

    The public library (the main one with the Ancestry.com access) probably has the local newspapers that were published during the WWII years. Sometimes they had articles about "hometown boys" in service. A librarian can help you search those, too if you wish. If you are lucky the library will have some electronic indexing for the newspapers during the WWII years. Or, you may be able to find news articles about your grandfather using one of the electronic newspaper databases to which your library subscribes. I found some little news articles printed during WWII about some relatives using the Access NewspaperArchive my public library subscribes to.

    Librarians--Ask Us, We Answer!

    Find your local Public Library at:

    http://www.publiclibraries.com/

    Find your College/University Library at:

    http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Academic_main....

    Best wishes

    Source(s): Professional genealogist + Reference/information librarian
  • Start with the local Veteran's Affairs officer at the courthouse.

    You can also contact the DAV, VFW, and the American Legion for assistance.

    Where the records are is St. Louis, Missouri. See: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/

    And, of course, historical societies and newspaper archives.

    Source(s): life
  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    There is information on WWII in ancestry.co.uk or if not in England ancestry.com also Information on findmypast website

    Source(s): I subscribe to various websites to do researching for family history have found information on these websites. they are subscribed websites, but other people who use these sites might do it for free, including myself, I subscribe to world deluxe on ancestry so I'm willing to find the infomation you want I will need the information on the tags of your Grandfather and his full name,
  • 9 years ago

    You can look here for help and where to send your request.

    http://www.archives.gov/

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