Ancestry offers free access to WWII records through Dec. 7

[Catbird]

In honor of Pearl Harbor Day, Ancestry is allowing free access and search to some new databases added this year. You'll probably still have to register but won't have to pay.

One databases is: WWII Navy Muster Rolls, 1939-1949. This is a treasure trove. It's made up of quarterly reports that list, by name, rank and ship, almost all enlisted personnel serving in the U.S. Navy.

The other database is what's called the "Young Men's" WWII Draft Cards (1898 -1929). This information had not been released previously due to privacy restrictions but is now available. Lots of good info on these draft cards.

Access to other parts of the WWII databases is also free, I think, and available at www.ancestry.com/pearlharbor .

[Arianwen]

I searched for my Grampa who served in the Pacific theatre and spent time in Okinawa without success. He is still alive...

[Catbird]

Ari, what branch did he serve in?

[Exodia]

The other database is what's called the "Young Men's" WWII Draft Cards (1898 -1929). This information had not been released previously due to privacy restrictions but is now available. Lots of good info on these draft cards.I'm not finding this there, any ideas?

ETA, ok found it, right now only has North Carolina, which is why my relatives were not showing up. Thanks.

[Catbird]

From what I'm seeing on the website, it looks like they've consolidated these databases temporarily for their free thing. Like you have to search the entire WWII records, instead of going to the specific database of Young Men's Draft Cards.

I'm just now getting into it. I'll do some looking and post what I can find out about it.


ETA: Go straight to http://www.ancestry.com/ The "Young Men's Draft Cards" is listed on the front page.

[Catbird]

Okay... my apologies. My bad. Should have checked this all out before posting. :ohmygod: It looks like the "Young Men's" thing is only for North Carolina.

The draft records that have been available previously didn't include NC because those records were destroyed in a fire. So I guess they've released NC first. Don't know if more states are available or not.

[Arianwen]

Ari, what branch did he serve in?

The Army...*I think.*

[Exodia]

Cat -- no worries, I actually picked up a record for my dad that gave his release from the service date, so thanks for the heads up.

[Catbird]

The Army...*I think.*

Ari, PM me if you want and I'll take a look. :)


Glad you got that Exodia! Free is good! :)

[Arianwen]

Catbird! I love you, man! I'm fighting tears! I had so few details about anyone past my Grandfather. I feel like my Great Grandparents are smiling down on me and Roger, my son. :)))))))))))))))

[Ought Six]

They demand my credit card info to sign up for their 'free' trial. If you forget to cancel, you are a subscriber and your credit card will be automatically debited.

[Catbird]

Glad to do it. Everyone should have access to knowledge about their own personal story. :)

[Arianwen]

I don't even have a credit card. lol.

Perhaps if Catbird is not too busy, she can help you out, too. Throw her a PM. She found all kinds of info about my Grampa's family that I had no idea about - like my Grandfather's brother enlisted and served, just like Grampa did!

[drummagick]

They demand my credit card info to sign up for their 'free' trial. If you forget to cancel, you are a subscriber and your credit card will be automatically debited.


I searched the military base, they asked that I give my name and email
address to view a draft card and that was all.


I found my dad and a bunch of other male relatives on his side! Some still in Italy. A couple from WW1