Military records will include name, branch of service, any known disability, date of discharge, awards or special commendations, and date of separation from service. Draft registration cards list name, address, date of birth, citizanship, employment information, marital status, children, and rank. These records can usually be found in the county or city where the applicant applied. Many times overlooked, newspapers supply valuable information for the family ancestral researcher. In addition to birth and death announcements, newspapers list upcoming activities of interest to various ethnic groups and present stories that profile the accomplishments of people who strived for improved conditions within their community.
Newspapers cover historical events which are clues to the past.
All of these sources will give you hints to your ancestors, and as you uncover more information - the encouragement to dig even deeper into your roots. So start going through those old trunks, boxes, and the like. You may just uncover irreplaceable treasures to your past. This article is the second part of a three part series. Read Part One , or Part Three .