Starting World War II Research Online Can Provide Puzzle Pieces and Errors
See available dates below.
Think you can uncover your World War II ancestor's story using only online records? This class will show you pathways to what primary records are available as of the date of the class. You will explore where to find records, how to search effectively, the importance of using the 2-part strategy with a timeline, and how to verify what you discover.
Designed for beginners and experienced researchers alike, using case studies, this class explores the major online resources for researching U.S. Army, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. You'll learn which websites are worth your time, how to connect records from multiple sources, and the limitations of online research so you know when you've reached the end of the digital trail.
Whether you're researching a veteran, a fallen service member, a prisoner of war, or a family member on the home front, you'll leave with practical skills, a list of trusted resources, and a clear roadmap for conducting WWII research from your computer.
A workbook will be sent prior to the coaching and a replay will be sent to registrants after the live event.
Students are also enrolled in the NEW! end of the month student-only Q&A Zoom. There will be a replay for this additional program.
Each session is customized to the participants' military branches they are researching. Space is limited to 10 people per session so questions can be answered.
This is not a general presentation. It’s active, personalized research support. Attendance live on Zoom is strongly encouraged.
Testimonials
Kimberley
I wanted to help my cousin research and learn more about his Dad Carmen’s WWII service which included Battle of the Bulge and D-Day. I’m not an expert by any means, but have done well enough to find many interesting documents and newspaper articles. I poke around here and there as many of us do, with not much guidance, and never completely sure if I’m doing the research correctly and worried about missing important information because you don’t know what you don’t know.
I wasn’t too sure about what types of military reports and documents were available, but picked up new ideas with different comments I’d read or websites I’d click on. I felt like I was on the right track and finally turned to YouTube to see if I could learn any tips on how to pull Morning Reports, after learning what they even were. The very first video that popped up was Jennifer Holik’s. I watched the entire video with her detailed explanation and immediately went to NARA and tried it myself and it worked! I had been getting so frustrated trying to find the Morning Reports, but Jennifer clearly explained how to find the reports and I was thrilled.
She then mentioned that she had classes and a website to check out. I knew I had to take her classes and enrolled in 4 right away and spent the week in back to back classes, and I appreciated the pricing being affordable.
She is thorough, patient, addresses each question, and as she goes into the different searches, it’s clear that she is a longtime expert in her field and niche of Military research. She even helped me to understand that my Great Uncle had switched from the 5th Division to the 103rd most likely after he was wounded, with possible explanations behind it, which really helped. She understands how to read these reports and piece a story together.
I highly recommend Jennifer’s services to anyone who wants to research and write about their loved ones who served in the Military. She’s fantastic and I’ll be recommending her to anyone who might need her help. If it were my personal project, I’d hire her to do it all for me! Thanks again Jennifer! Your help is so appreciated!
Choose Your Session.
Several dates to choose from.
So, You Only Want to Research WWII Online?
$60
Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST
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This coaching session is 90-minutes long and includes a workbook and replay.Â
Students are also enrolled in the NEW! end of the month student-only Q&A Zoom. There will be a replay for this additional program.
So, You Only Want to Research WWII Online?
$60
Friday, August 21 at 11:00 a.m. CST
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This coaching session is 90-minutes long and includes a workbook and replay.Â
Students are also enrolled in the NEW! end of the month student-only Q&A Zoom. There will be a replay for this additional program.
Meet Your Coach
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 Jennifer Holik
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More than 10 years ago, I developed a 2-part military research strategy that makes it possible to discover the story of any veteran from WWI through Vietnam — even if the records burned. This grew out of a journey I began nearly 30 years ago, guided by my military ancestors. What started as genealogy quickly expanded into a full military research, writing, and speaking business shared through the WWII Research & Writing Center and later, here at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School.
My work is rooted in both fact and spirit. I’ve walked battlefields, stood at graves, and listened to the echoes of soldiers and families whose stories still long to be told. Living between Chicago and the Netherlands, I absorbed history, culture, and the weight of inherited war trauma. My own path through PTSD and ancestral healing deepened my ability to see repeating patterns, connect dots across generations, and help others uncover truths hidden beneath silence and loss.
At the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School and WWII Research & Writing Center, I bring together research and soul work, helping you not only recover your family’s military history but also transform the patterns and pain it left behind. This is where history, healing, and story meet.
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