There are many ways to honor the life of a person, and one of the best ways is to tell their story for others to find later. Genealogy connects the past with the present so that these memories will live on. As family historians, we can share these moments in time and remind others that the lives of our military ancestors were filled with more than just places and dates. Theirs were lives offered for the freedom of those known and unknown.
The most basic way to preserve the stories of our family members who served in the military is to simply write them down. If you are lucky enough to have a living and willing participant interviewing them is not only practical but fun. Prepare for your interview by taking note of some specific questions that you’d like to have answered. Remember to ask not only of names and places but also of the personal information that will help your memory come alive to those who read it later. Asking your relative specific questions about areas or campaigns in which they served is important; however, don’t limit yourself to the traditional details. Ask about the men and women who served along them. Be careful that you are sensitive of emotions as discussing wartime memories can be difficult for those who lived through battle. Enjoy your time together, and remember to record it through audio or video. Ask to see photographs and letters. These details are important in the documentation of a person’s life. Date and label everything so that you won’t be confused later on about when or where your interview occurred.
What can you do with this information after you’ve discovered it? There are many websites that have been developed specifically for capturing our memories and experiences. 1000memories.com allows users to create a virtual shoebox to share photos, documents, and more with others. HistoryPin.com is a wonderful way to make your relative’s experience come alive by pinning locations of travel or battles along the map for others to see. Both of these services are free.
After you’ve concluded your research, consider donating copies of your interview notes and documents to your local or state genealogical society. Making your materials available will not only allow others to know your relative but may also be just what another genealogist needs to break down a brick wall.
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