The National Institute for Genealogical Studies is proud to announce our latest course offerings, Research: American World War II Ancestors – Part 1 and Research: American World War II Ancestor – Part 2 .

Written by genealogist and author Jennifer Holik, Research: American World War II Ancestors – Part 1 and Part 2 helps researchers learn more about researching and telling the story of their family that lived through the World War II years.

2014 marks the 100th Anniversary of World War I and the 70th Anniversary of World War II’s D-Day. There are many records that were created during World War I that are similar in World War II. Learn what led to the start of World War II, how the U.S. became involved and the military records available. They did not all burn in the 1973 fire! This course will move from military records for the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines to civilian jobs including the USO, Merchant Marines and others. You will learn how to research the service of your military ancestors through numerous sources. Through this research you can then write the story of your ancestor’s life. Continue your journey into World War II military records in the Research: American World War II Ancestors – Part 2 course.

This new course announcement comes just in time to accompany Jennifer’s latest book, Stories of the Lost. To learn more about this new book, see the press release posted below.

Stories of the Lost Book Release

May 8, 2014 – Chicago, Illinois.  Jennifer Holik announces the release of her latest book, Stories of the Lost, the first in a new series on World War II records and stories.

Imagine sending your son off to war. Will he return unharmed, unchanged, and whole? How long will he be gone? Will the war last forever? Will he return? Standing in front of you at the railroad station is a young man in uniform. He looks so handsome, so strong, and full of life. You hug him tightly before he boards the train. You wave goodbye and he’s gone.

Years later your son returns from the war. He arrives not walking off the train, but carried off in a flag draped casket. Dead almost four years now and buried in a foreign land, you did not know where he was buried for almost two years after he was killed. Your son is unable to tell his story of war. Who will tell his story?

This book is a collection of stories about my relatives, Michael Kokoska, Frank Winkler, Robert Brouk, and James Privonzik, who left by train to fight for our freedom and never returned. Three of the men were brought home after the war ended. One however, still sleeps in that foreign soil. It is also the recognition of the men who cared for them after death. The stories of the lost found through the military record.

Stories of the Lost is available through the author’s website: http://jenniferholik.com  where you can also find a new World War II Toolbox! Also visit Jennifer’s Generations Blog for more information on military records and her Military Memories writing prompts available all month.

About Jennifer Holik

Jennifer is a genealogical, historical, and military researcher. Jennifer lectures throughout the Chicagoland area on World War II records and stories, women during World War II, kids genealogy, and Italian genealogy.

As a researcher and writer she can help you research and piece together the stories of your ancestors, particularly if they served during World War II.

Jennifer volunteers as the Genealogy Department Manager at Casa Italia in Stone Park, Illinois.  There she hosts monthly genealogy and writing programs and works in the Italian American Veterans Museum.