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Happy Memorial Day! FREE Online Resources to Research your Veteran Ancestors



Memorial Day is a great time to honor the military history of our veteran ancestors. Here are some links that offer great opportunities to learn more about your Illinois ancestors' military service!

  • The American Legion lists 8 military museums with virtual exhibits and educational materials, including the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago.
  • Fold3 is again offering its yearly FREE access to their collection of more than 550 million military records this weekend, covering conflicts as early as the Revolutionary War.
  • The Illinois State Archives has a must-research collection of nearly a dozen online searchable databases of Illinois veterans, including those who served in the Black Hawk War, Civil War, Mexican War, Spanish-American War, and the war of 1812. The Veteran's Databases also honor those who were listed in the 1929 Illinois Roll of Honor, and provides listings of residents of the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy. The Archives also publishes a helpful pamphlet for researching in their military collections.
  • The First Division Museum at Catigny Park in Wheaton offers many resources to research your military ancestors, both online and in-person at  their Military Library.

Do you have a favorite military research resource? Tell us about it at the ISGS Facebook page!


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