The next Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL series webinar is on Friday (a members-only event). Learn more here.

The next Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL series webinar is on Friday (a members-only event). Learn more here.

By
By
Speakers

Michael L. Strauss, AG

Bonus webinars Historical Records Military Records, Civil War, Korean War, Spanish-American War, War of 1812, World War I, World War II Social Security records Methodology and Skills Finding the Living Miscellaneous Places and Ethnicities Canada, United States New York, Pennsylvania Webtember

Michael L. Strauss, AG, an Accredited Genealogist and forensic investigator, is a native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Utah. He holds a BA in History and is a United States Coast Guard veteran. He is a licensed Private Investigator and qualified expert witness in Surrogate Court and Circuit Court in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Michael is an approved genealogist with the United States Army to locate DNA qualified persons MIA from Korea, Vietnam, and World War II. He is a national genealogical lecturer and instructor for military courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research (VIGR). He was the film historian for the 2015 Academy Award nominated movie “Finding Vivian Maier”.

Michael's Upcoming Live Webinars (2)

Historical Records
Private Gandolfo Scarnici: Case Study of a Veteran of World War I
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
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Private Gandolfo Scarnici: Case Study of a Veteran of World War I
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Historical Records
Private Gandolfo Scarnici: Case Study of a Veteran of World War I
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
Historical Records
Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
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Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Historical Records
Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
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Michael's Webinars (25)

1:38:31
Historical Records
Born on the Fourth of July: Case Study of War of 1812 Veteran Joseph King
Michael L. Strauss, AG
570 views
CC
Born on the Fourth of July: Case Study of War of 1812 Veteran Joseph King
Corporal Joseph King born on July 4 1776 served during the War of 1812. This cases study follows King before, during, and long after the war ends to his death in 1877.
Historical Records
Born on the Fourth of July: Case Study of War of 1812 Veteran Joseph King
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
570 views
Corporal Joseph King born on July 4 1776 served during the War of 1812. This cases study follows King before, during, and long after the war ends to his death in 1877.
Fri, August 11 2023: 18:00 UTC
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1:16:46
Historical Records
Spies, Slackers, and Aliens: Records of the American Protective League
Michael L. Strauss, AG
434 views
CC
Spies, Slackers, and Aliens: Records of the American Protective League
Organized in Chicago, IL in 1917 by citizens who believed the United States Department of Justice was understaffed and not up to the task of fighting against espionage. They grew to a volunteer force of more than 250,000 members. The APL was given absolute power to stop ordinary citizens in the streets by checking whether men were legally registered for draft, or were sympathetic to the Germans, or those unregistered aliens living in the United States. Long believed to be a pseudo-patriotic organization. The APL documented both members and their activities in rich genealogical and historical details at the time the United States entered World War I.
Historical Records
Spies, Slackers, and Aliens: Records of the American Protective League
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
434 views
Organized in Chicago, IL in 1917 by citizens who believed the United States Department of Justice was understaffed and not up to the task of fighting against espionage. They grew to a volunteer force of more than 250,000 members. The APL was given absolute power to stop ordinary citizens in the streets by checking whether men were legally registered for draft, or were sympathetic to the Germans, or those unregistered aliens living in the United States. Long believed to be a pseudo-patriotic organization. The APL documented both members and their activities in rich genealogical and historical details at the time the United States entered World War I.
Fri, May 12 2023: 18:00 UTC
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59:11
MiscellaneousWebtember
Delivering the Mail: Records of the United States Post Office
Michael L. Strauss, AG
782 views
CC
Delivering the Mail: Records of the United States Post Office
The United States Postal Service can trace its roots to 1775 to the Second Continental Congress; where Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General. Officially created in 1792; and elevated to a cabinet department in 1872; and changed in 1971 to an official Government agency. These records are an overlooked genealogical source to locate family members who may have worked with the postal system.
MiscellaneousWebtember
Delivering the Mail: Records of the United States Post Office
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
782 views
The United States Postal Service can trace its roots to 1775 to the Second Continental Congress; where Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General. Officially created in 1792; and elevated to a cabinet department in 1872; and changed in 1971 to an official Government agency. These records are an overlooked genealogical source to locate family members who may have worked with the postal system.
Fri, September 9 2022: 14:15 UTC
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1:16:29
Historical Records
The Draft and the Selective Service System
Michael L. Strauss, AG
381 views
CC
The Draft and the Selective Service System
The history of the draft and conscripting men for military service in the United States dates back to the days of the Revolutionary War. Individual colonies were given the authority to draft men that were called up for militia service. It wasn’t until the Civil War that the first national legislation in 1862 was passed that would enact a national draft. Since then, several Selective Service Acts in 1917, 1940, 1948, and 1967 that have account for men who would serve their country in times of crisis or emergency.
Historical Records
The Draft and the Selective Service System
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
381 views
The history of the draft and conscripting men for military service in the United States dates back to the days of the Revolutionary War. Individual colonies were given the authority to draft men that were called up for militia service. It wasn’t until the Civil War that the first national legislation in 1862 was passed that would enact a national draft. Since then, several Selective Service Acts in 1917, 1940, 1948, and 1967 that have account for men who would serve their country in times of crisis or emergency.
Sat, July 23 2022: 0:00 UTC
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59:38
Historical RecordsWebtember
Roosevelt’s Tree Army: Researching the Civilian Conservation Corps
Michael L. Strauss, AG
287 views
CC
Roosevelt’s Tree Army: Researching the Civilian Conservation Corps
Tens of thousands of young men came together to serve in the vanguard of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. Discover some of your ancestors who may have worked and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942. The New Deal era in American History has many great resources that have been untapped for years, and seldom used by genealogists and family historians.
Historical RecordsWebtember
Roosevelt’s Tree Army: Researching the Civilian Conservation Corps
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
287 views
Tens of thousands of young men came together to serve in the vanguard of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. Discover some of your ancestors who may have worked and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942. The New Deal era in American History has many great resources that have been untapped for years, and seldom used by genealogists and family historians.
Fri, September 24 2021: 0:00 UTC
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53:28
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your Ancestors in the City of Philadelphia
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.8K views
CC
Researching Your Ancestors in the City of Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia dates back to October 27, 1682 when William Penn laid out plans to construct a magnificent city. Records available to genealogists stretch back to the seventeenth century when the city was first founded. The area grew very quickly, and by the time of the Revolutionary War…
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your Ancestors in the City of Philadelphia
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.8K views
The city of Philadelphia dates back to October 27, 1682 when William Penn laid out plans to construct a magnificent city. Records available to genealogists stretch back to the seventeenth century when the city was first founded. The area grew very quickly, and by the time of the Revolutionary War…
Fri, April 9 2021: 12:00 UTC
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1:41:55
Historical Records
Deeds Not Words: Finding Your Merchant Marine Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.0K views
CC
Deeds Not Words: Finding Your Merchant Marine Ancestors
The Merchant Marines have always played a pivotal and important role in American history. Without their efforts and sacrifice the wars of the twentieth century could have turned out very differently. A series of acts passed by Congress in 1916, 1920, and 1936 would officially organize the Merchant Marines into…
Historical Records
Deeds Not Words: Finding Your Merchant Marine Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.0K views
The Merchant Marines have always played a pivotal and important role in American history. Without their efforts and sacrifice the wars of the twentieth century could have turned out very differently. A series of acts passed by Congress in 1916, 1920, and 1936 would officially organize the Merchant Marines into…
Wed, November 11 2020: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:37:01
Historical Records
Decoding Social Security: Providing Benefits to our Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
7.2K views
CC
Decoding Social Security: Providing Benefits to our Ancestors
The passage of the Social Security Act of 1935 during the height the new deal era and the great depression would provide stability to our nation. By decoding the meaning of the series of numbers, ordering the applications of the social security cards, and understanding how delayed births played an…
Historical Records
Decoding Social Security: Providing Benefits to our Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
7.2K views
The passage of the Social Security Act of 1935 during the height the new deal era and the great depression would provide stability to our nation. By decoding the meaning of the series of numbers, ordering the applications of the social security cards, and understanding how delayed births played an…
Wed, April 8 2020: 0:00 UTC
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1:29:33
Miscellaneous
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Female Fraternal Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
4.5K views
CC
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Female Fraternal Ancestors
Do you have ancestry with membership in the Eastern Star? The Daughters of Rebekah? or another woman’s fraternal organization. This lecture focuses on those female fraternal auxiliaries and the rich genealogical material of family members who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.
Miscellaneous
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Female Fraternal Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
4.5K views
Do you have ancestry with membership in the Eastern Star? The Daughters of Rebekah? or another woman’s fraternal organization. This lecture focuses on those female fraternal auxiliaries and the rich genealogical material of family members who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.
Fri, October 25 2019: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:13:56
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Male Fraternal Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.0K views
CC
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Male Fraternal Ancestors
Were your ancestors members of the Masons? Did your family have membership with the I.O.O.F. or another secret society. Discover the rich history and genealogical material that await with membership records, historical research, and photographs of family who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Decoding Secret Societies: Finding Your Male Fraternal Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.0K views
Were your ancestors members of the Masons? Did your family have membership with the I.O.O.F. or another secret society. Discover the rich history and genealogical material that await with membership records, historical research, and photographs of family who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.
Fri, October 25 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:03:17
Bonus webinarsPlaces and EthnicitiesHistorical Records
Over the Top: Researching Canadians in the First World War
Michael L. Strauss, AG
493 views
CC
Over the Top: Researching Canadians in the First World War
This lecture focuses on records of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces; including the C.E.F. personal files, Commonwealth grave registry, Regimental Nominal Rolls, and American’s fighting for Canada during this conflict and other records of the Royal Navy and Marines.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and EthnicitiesHistorical Records
Over the Top: Researching Canadians in the First World War
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
493 views
This lecture focuses on records of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces; including the C.E.F. personal files, Commonwealth grave registry, Regimental Nominal Rolls, and American’s fighting for Canada during this conflict and other records of the Royal Navy and Marines.
Fri, October 11 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:21:11
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Modern Military: Researching Your Vietnam War Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
589 views
CC
Modern Military: Researching Your Vietnam War Ancestors
This lecture focuses on genealogical and historical materials to finding ancestors who fought during this conflict.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Modern Military: Researching Your Vietnam War Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
589 views
This lecture focuses on genealogical and historical materials to finding ancestors who fought during this conflict.
Fri, February 8 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:12:01
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Crossing the 38th Parallel: Researching Your Korean War Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
491 views
CC
Crossing the 38th Parallel: Researching Your Korean War Ancestors
Sometimes referred to as the twentieth centuries “Forgotten War” The Korea War has been overshadowed by the larger conflicts both before and afterwards-namely World War II and Vietnam.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Crossing the 38th Parallel: Researching Your Korean War Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
491 views
Sometimes referred to as the twentieth centuries “Forgotten War” The Korea War has been overshadowed by the larger conflicts both before and afterwards-namely World War II and Vietnam.
Fri, February 8 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:39:32
Historical Records
That Splendid Little War: Researching Your Spanish American War Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.4K views
CC
That Splendid Little War: Researching Your Spanish American War Ancestors
The end of the nineteenth century witnessed the transformation of the United States from a developing nation into a global power. Discover your ancestors that served in the war with Spain along with records of the Boxer Rebellion (1900) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) in which United States troops participation...
Historical Records
That Splendid Little War: Researching Your Spanish American War Ancestors
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.4K views
The end of the nineteenth century witnessed the transformation of the United States from a developing nation into a global power. Discover your ancestors that served in the war with Spain along with records of the Boxer Rebellion (1900) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) in which United States troops participation...
Wed, December 19 2018: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:30:06
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Pension Files and Beyond
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.7K views
CC
Civil War Series: Pension Files and Beyond
This second session will be broken into two groups of records that relate to your ancestors who fought in the Civil War.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Pension Files and Beyond
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.7K views
This second session will be broken into two groups of records that relate to your ancestors who fought in the Civil War.
Fri, November 23 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:12:16
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Reconstruction Era and Post War Society
Michael L. Strauss, AG
514 views
CC
Civil War Series: Reconstruction Era and Post War Society
This final session begins with the end of the Civil War and the start of Reconstruction in 1865.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Reconstruction Era and Post War Society
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
514 views
This final session begins with the end of the Civil War and the start of Reconstruction in 1865.
Fri, November 23 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:16:38
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Researching Beyond the Army
Michael L. Strauss, AG
397 views
CC
Civil War Series: Researching Beyond the Army
This third session will cover genealogical and historical material that relates to organizations outside of the United States and Confederate Armies.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: Researching Beyond the Army
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
397 views
This third session will cover genealogical and historical material that relates to organizations outside of the United States and Confederate Armies.
Fri, November 23 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:33:27
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: House Divided – Prelude to War
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.3K views
CC
Civil War Series: House Divided – Prelude to War
This opening session brings into the lecture some of the causes and effect of why the Civil War was fought. As
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Civil War Series: House Divided – Prelude to War
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.3K views
This opening session brings into the lecture some of the causes and effect of why the Civil War was fought. As
Fri, November 23 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:44:08
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Descendancy Research: Another Pathway For Doing Genealogical Research
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.9K views
CC
Descendancy Research: Another Pathway For Doing Genealogical Research
Finding descendants and searching collateral lines of your family history is very rewarding and provides many otherwise unknown details to your family story as the methodology of conducting this type of research is taught. Focus is given to provide actual case study of doing this kind of research.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Descendancy Research: Another Pathway For Doing Genealogical Research
CC
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.9K views
Finding descendants and searching collateral lines of your family history is very rewarding and provides many otherwise unknown details to your family story as the methodology of conducting this type of research is taught. Focus is given to provide actual case study of doing this kind of research.
Fri, July 13 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:19:21
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 4 – War on the Home Front & Post-War Years
Michael L. Strauss, AG
501 views
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 4 – War on the Home Front & Post-War Years
The final Part IV of our series on researching your World War II ancestors covers various records and resources from the home front.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 4 – War on the Home Front & Post-War Years
Michael L. Strauss, AG
501 views
The final Part IV of our series on researching your World War II ancestors covers various records and resources from the home front.
Fri, March 16 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:21:23
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 3 – Records of the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard
Michael L. Strauss, AG
827 views
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 3 – Records of the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard
Part III of our four part series on researching your World War II ancestors continues as we move from the records of the United States Army to the other military branches. These include the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 3 – Records of the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard
Michael L. Strauss, AG
827 views
Part III of our four part series on researching your World War II ancestors continues as we move from the records of the United States Army to the other military branches. These include the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.
Fri, March 16 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:04:45
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 2 – Records of the Army
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.1K views
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 2 – Records of the Army
Part II of our four part series on researching your World War II ancestors covers and focuses on the abundance of records for the United States Army.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 2 – Records of the Army
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.1K views
Part II of our four part series on researching your World War II ancestors covers and focuses on the abundance of records for the United States Army.
Fri, March 16 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:14:46
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 1 – The Road to War
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.4K views
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 1 – The Road to War
This lecture includes resources from the New Deal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps, National Youth Administration along with the Americans who served in the ranks of the Canadian and British military.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Researching Your World War II Ancestors: Part 1 – The Road to War
Michael L. Strauss, AG
1.4K views
This lecture includes resources from the New Deal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps, National Youth Administration along with the Americans who served in the ranks of the Canadian and British military.
Fri, March 16 2018: 0:00 UTC
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1:41:09
Places and Ethnicities
New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.6K views
New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs
Many persons can trace their origins to the Empire State. New York City being one of the largest urban center offers many genealogical resources. Between the American Revolution and the Civil War-several key urban cities along the eastern seaboard populations increased strikingly. In 1790 New York’s population was about…
Places and Ethnicities
New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.6K views
Many persons can trace their origins to the Empire State. New York City being one of the largest urban center offers many genealogical resources. Between the American Revolution and the Civil War-several key urban cities along the eastern seaboard populations increased strikingly. In 1790 New York’s population was about…
Wed, November 8 2017: 0:00 UTC
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1:47:34
Historical Records
The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.4K views
The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors
Researching your World War 1 ancestors can be challenging. With the losses of records by fire in St. Louis in 1973 and stricter privacy laws; this lecture focuses on ways to reconstruct military service for family who served their country including records of draft registrations, war casualties, troop manifests, and…
Historical Records
The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors
Michael L. Strauss, AG
2.4K views
Researching your World War 1 ancestors can be challenging. With the losses of records by fire in St. Louis in 1973 and stricter privacy laws; this lecture focuses on ways to reconstruct military service for family who served their country including records of draft registrations, war casualties, troop manifests, and…
Wed, May 31 2017: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
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