The Research a Veteran Blueprint

You have the name of your World War I or World War II veteran. You have some biographical data, family stories, and you may even have a few records. But where do you go from here? How can you do most of this research on your own? What do you do if all the records burned? 

Researching a World War I or World War II veteran or fallen, can quickly become overwhelming. There are thousands of records, databases, archives, and websites that hold puzzle pieces but not the complete story. Knowing what to look for, where to find it, and what to research first can make all the difference between an inaccurate veteran history and an accurate one.

For just $49 for one service member, the World War I or World War II Research Blueprint utilizes the 2-part research strategy I developed to provide you with first and next steps, so you can start the research correctly, on your own. This is not military research. This is your Blueprint to research on your own.

While National Archives record holdings are only roughly 4% digitized, this means you can do some of the research online through NARA or other websites. For the rest, you will need to request a search for records at repositories, visit them in person, or hire a researcher like me.

The PDF Blueprint gives you a clear research path forward that you can follow, based on the veteran's military branch you are researching and current records access. The Blueprint identifies the basic records, key research locations, and foundational steps you need to begin uncovering your service member's military story. This allows you to start creating the military timeline and learning the context of service. 

Instead of wandering from website to website gathering puzzle pieces that do not give you the service member's story, you’ll have a roadmap to guide your research. The blueprint will help you move beyond the basic facts you might discover on Ancestry, FamilySearch, Fold3 and FindAGrave, to discover the accurate service details, experiences, and story behind your WWII veteran.

Start with a plan. Follow the records and research strategy. Uncover the story.

After you make your purchase.....

After purchasing the Blueprint, please check your email (and SPAM). You will receive an email with instructions for next steps. I will need basic details from you plus scans of any records, Discharge papers, death records, or other military documents you have, to review as I create your blueprint.

A PDF blueprint for one veteran will be emailed to you, generally within two weeks after I receive and review your information and documents.

You may return here to purchase multiple Blueprints if you are researching multiple World War I or World War II veterans. Each blueprint is customized to that veteran's military branch.