Military Sessions and Workshop

Military records can be rich in personal details not available in other records. From the Civil War through World War II, learn how to research a confederate unit and pursue ancestral service and veterans records. The sessions take our Journey through World War I, while Michael Strauss’ workshop on Friday provides an in-depth look at World War II. Seating for the optional workshop ($30) is limited, so register early.

Learn more about program topics by speaker, workshops, and speakers.

Join us in San Antonio for this year’s conference. Register online today!

Military Sessions

Friday, 9:30 a.m. – The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors, Michael L. Strauss
Fought between 1914-1918, the “Great War” began with the U.S. officially neutral. As U.S. citizens got caught up with events on the world stage, thousands of Americans crossed the border to fight for Canada. Concern by citizens and uneasy tensions with Mexico led the U.S. to declare war on Germany on April 6, 2017. Discover your ancestor’s connection to WWI through genealogical sources that share the feelings and attitudes of this time. (All levels)

Friday, 3:30 p.m. – Researching a Texas Confederate Unit, Mic Barnette
Follow the sources as they reveal the narrative of Company D, 3rd Tennessee Cavalry of Red River County, Texas, from organization of the unit, to 1862 when many of its men experienced the horrors of Northern prisons, and on through their reorganization in Texas as the 23rd Texas Cavalry. (All levels)

Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – I Have My Ancestor’s WWI Record! Now What?, Debra Dudek
You’ve received your ancestor’s WWI service file! What do you do next? This presentation will take you through the resources and search strategies available to you online and in archives and show how to plot your ancestors’ wartime experiences. (All levels)

Military Workshop

($30 Fee; Registration Required)

Researching Your World War II Ancestors
Friday, November 2, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Michael L. Strauss
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 plunged the United States into its second global conflict of the twentieth century. On both the home front and battlefield our country started to mobilize to defeat the Axis Powers. Researching your ancestors who served during World War II can be rewarding, but not without some obstacles. With the Fire of 1973 in St. Louis, MO that destroyed tens of thousands of personnel files genealogists need to focus their research on reconstructing lost or destroyed records. Some other primary sources of research include Draft Registrations and Classifications, Morning Reports, Submarine War Patrol Reports, and Missing Air Crew Reports. This workshop/lecture uses these records along with others presented as practical exercises to find your ancestors during World War II. (All levels)