Honoring Heroes: Building a Military Service Family Tree

To celebrate and honor Memorial Day we have compiled some ideas and activities that will help you find meaning and connection to your military heritage. As you uncover and document the military journeys in your family, you not only pay homage to their service but also create a lasting testament to the legacy of patriotism and sacrifice within your family.

• Take the time to engage in meaningful conversations with your family members to document details and memories about your family's military service. Inquire about the branches, ranks, specific units, deployments, and any notable experiences they can share. Remember to include the immediate family members of those who served—such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings—as they can offer valuable insights and memories from a different perspective. Search for the stories that can be told to future generations that will help build resilience and foster strong familial bonds.

• Explore online military records. Look for enlistment records, draft records, pension records, discharge papers, and other documents that can offer additional insights into your ancestors' military service. The National Archives has a great page on their website with a lot of information on what records are available, how to search them and other useful tips. https://www.archives.gov/research/military/genealogy

• Use any available information you have to create a dedicated military page for your ancestor(s). Fold3 offers a "My Memorials" feature where you can create individual memorials for your military ancestors with your paid subscription. You can add this information directly into your tree ensuring your sources are properly cited, or another option is to create a social media page where family members can contribute memories, photos and any other information. You can also create a military family tree chart printable to add to a family history binder. Here is a sample of a basic Military family tree chart that I made in Canva to organize family members by the war they served in.

• Create a timeline for each military ancestor, outlining key milestones during their service. This visual representation helps you track their journey and contributions over time. Airtable can be a great tool for documenting each family member's military service information. This is the Airtable I am creating for my military heritage. It is a work in progress, and while I am still learning how to use Airtable, I have found it to be a robust tool for projects like this.

https://airtable.com/appVtnBUzvSDopkti/shr7pHg2VZkSw3Ifj

• Identify the connections between generations of military service. Highlight instances where family members served alongside one another or where service was passed down through the family tree. Consider cultural context. If your family has a diverse cultural background, explore how military service is viewed within those cultural contexts. This can add depth and understanding to your family's overall narrative and can also be a great teaching tool for your school aged children.
  

• Display the military heirlooms or collectables you have showcasing them in your home. Alternatively, if you are unable to display them, invest in quality archival materials to preserve those heirlooms and keep them from deteriorating or being damaged due to not being stored properly. Below are links to some high quality archival materials as well as some display cases for your military heirlooms and collectables. *Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Don't worry, it doesn't cost you any more if you purchase through my link.
  

  • Gaylord Archival 3 mil Archival Polyester L-Sleeves for Photos & Documents (10-Pack) - Fits up to 8 1/2 x 11" https://amzn.to/4btlv4V

  • Gaylord Archival Polypropylene Preservation Sleeves Variety Pack https://amzn.to/4brsdbr

  • Gaylord Archival 1 1/2" O-Ring Preservation Album https://amzn.to/4dPbyAi

  • Gaylord Archival Black Uniform/Suit Preservation Kit - 18W x 30L x 6" H https://amzn.to/4buC9Bd

  • Gaylord Archival Blue/Grey Unbuffered Rare Book Preservation Kit - 5 3/4W x 8 1/4L x 2"H https://amzn.to/44QO3CX

  • Military (Police) Top Hat Acrylic Display Case https://amzn.to/3UU29yJ

  • ASmileIndeep Flag Display Case Box for Folded 3'x5' American Veteran Flag Solid Wood Military Flag Certificate Shadow Box with Wall Mount Display Flag Frame Holder for Badges Medals (Mahogany) https://amzn.to/3V9plug

  • Flag Display Case Military Uniform Shadow Box Fits a Folded 3'x5' Army Navy Air Force Veterans Home Flown Flag with Police Uniform Jacket Display and Felt Lining for Badges and Medals, Walnut Finish https://amzn.to/3QYL9pP
    

Our family trees are not just a record of names and dates; they are living tributes to the legacies of those who came before us. And who says your tree has to only be a lineage tree. Compiling the military history of your family can be a meaningful alternative to a traditional family tree. An experience that you will find is a unique and powerful way to honor the individuals in your lineage who served their country with courage and dedication.

Thank you to all of those who have served and are currently serving our country as well as your loved ones. We are grateful for your courage, dedication and sacrifice in ensuring our safety and freedom.

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