Help with Finding Records and Photos

Hi, I just joined this site and got interested in it, so I joined. I have a few questions since I have hit this brick wall repeatedly for five months. I am trying to find records and photos of my grand uncles, John A. Thomson and Kenneth G. Thomson, and grandfather, Walter C. Thomson. Do you have any suggestions of sites to use or should I go through the National Archives?

Thank you for your time,

A.C.

 

Go through National Archives (NARA) first, but be prepared for the sad truth that some or all of your grand uncles' records may have been destroyed in a big fire in the 70's that wiped out a lot of records.

Also contact hometown registrar's/clerk's county/city offices and ask if they have custody over discharge papers that returning veterans from the war filed with them upon their return to the States.

Also check with the Veterans Administration, as they also have custody of WW2 medical records that are stored with NARA.

Lastly, consider hiring a researcher that can pull all of this information for you, as well as dig through Morning Reports stored in St. Louis that may potentially help solidify an understanding of what your great uncles did in the war. There are threads here to help you with the process and plenty of people to ask for help if you get stuck. Post your results and there are plenty here who would be more than happy to assist with deciphering anything you don't understand. Good luck!

 

If I request some military records from the NARA is it better to mail the form or request it online with eVetRecs?

 

If you are not next of kin, you must file the SF-180 Form by mail. If you are next of kin, you can file electronically but will still need to send in a signed form. www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records