Discover family war stories in more new World War 2 records

2-3 minute read

By Liam Kelly | May 22, 2020

This Memorial Day weekend, we're commemorating and celebrating the lives of American military heroes with our latest record releases.

We've added a further 2 million records to our military collection with this week’s releases. Here’s what’s new this Findmypast Friday.

The War Illustrated 1939-1947

The War Illustrated 1939-1947 was a magazine first published in 1939 following the start of the Second World War. The series was edited by Sir John Hammerton and its 255 editions ran from September 16, 1938, to April 11, 1947.

The magazine captured World War 2 as it was happening. It is filled with black and white photographs and stories from those involved in the conflict, living up to its tagline as 'a permanent picture record of the Second World War'.

United States, National Veterans Cemetery Index

Explore an additional 1.1 million records in this poignant collection of fallen United States service personnel. The index can reveal the final resting place of your ancestor including:

Their date of birth
Their service and rank
Their date of death
The burial place and cemetery

This collection contains death records of those who served and are buried in various Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.

Covering over a century of history, these veterans fought in various conflicts, from the American Civil War, and the two World Wars through to the Afghanistan War.

Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards 1940-1942

Over 839,000 additions to these draft cards from the state of Georgia, can help you learn key information about your World War 2 ancestors. Discover important facts for your family tree including:

Your relative's age and birth date
Where they lived before they entered the war

While the military draft, or Selective Service System, was a national obligation, registration was carried out by draft boards on a local level. These records document the conscription that began in 1940 and continued through 1942 after the United States had officially joined the Allies in the war.

Louisiana Draft Cards

This week's update to our military collection is rounded-off with an additional 39,000 records from Louisiana.

After the outbreak of World War 2 in Europe in 1939, the United States Congress passed the Selective Service Act of 1940 and began the first peacetime draft in the history of the country, in anticipation of joining the war. Even after the Second World War ended in 1945, the draft was revived again by the Selective Service Act of 1948 and various other laws that kept military conscription active in peacetime, although fewer people were called up for service.

Along with Georgia and Louisiana, you’ll also find World War 2 registration and enlistment records from Kansas, Arkansas and Maine on Findmypast.

Findmypast Fridays live

Where will your past take you in this week's new releases? We'd love to hear about your discoveries on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or the Findmypast Forum.