Happy Memorial Day
In the last few years, our family has done a better job of honoring Memorial Day than in years past. It has become a meaningful holiday beyond enjoying a family BBQ on a beautiful Monday evening. Thanks to FamilySearch, they have made it so simple to look up our ancestors and friends who served in wars and to locate their burial places.
On one of the weekend days of Memorial Day weekend, we meet as a family at my mother’s home in the avenues of Salt Lake City. Many of our ancestors are buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery close to her house. The lot of us are quite a sight as we take a walk together toward the cemetery. At the cemetery, we gather first at my father’s grave and place flowers there. We take time to reminisce and share the characteristics that made him unique in our lives.
We also have other ancestors who are buried nearby in the cemetery. A couple of years ago, I learned from FamilySearch how to find those who were veterans of war. Before going to my mom’s, I took time to look them up and was able to share some of the memories from their FamilySearch person page, including their service in war. I was stunned at how interested even the littlest ones were to hear the stories. My six-year-old grandson asked me to repeat one of the stories more than once. It was another witness to me of how powerful family stories are in our lives and in the rising generations.
Here’s how you can find the ancestors in your family tree who have served our country as soldiers in WWI and WWII:
Sign into your FamilySearch account.
On the top menu bar of the FamilySearch page, click on the menu item called “Activities.” When the drop-down menu appears, click on the top option, “All Activities.” Scroll down on that page to “All about your ancestors” and, on the right side, click on “VIEW ALL.” Here you will see the options for: WWI Service Records, WWII Service Records, or WWI Draft Card. Once you open any one of those options, you may be able to see your ancestors who were involved in those wars. Click on their person page to see the details of where they are buried and if they have memories that you can share with your family.
Take time to Discover, Remember and Share these incredible stories and pictures with your family. And if there are not records or stories attached, then it is time to get to work! May your Memorial Day be meaningful as you remember those who have gone before and whose shoulders we stand upon.
Janet Helland
Temple and Family History Consultant, Granite FamilySearch Center