How can I find a picture of a family member of mine?

Amy Settle — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 13:07:29 -0500

I am working on a project and I want to write about a family member of mine who served in World War 2 and I want to find some pictures of him. So is there any website where I can find some pictures of him?

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jan 6 at 2019 1:17 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 13:17:55 -0500

I found pictures of my Dad by googling his name and when he was in. Unfortunately it was mainly from basic training but I did locate some others. Depending on what he did he may be in a local museum

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 6 at 2019 5:13 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:13:23 -0500

Amy Settle your best bet is family photos.

1. Was he a member of the VFW or other VSO? Did he provide any to any History project or some organizational photo display? You may be able to call the organization and see if there's something pinned up in the lobby.
2. Was he active in a unit association? They may have some member provided photos.
3. Was he in touch with any War buddies that you know? Did they have photos?
4. You may google the US National Archives. They have some photo collections. It would be an extreme long shot your relative was he identified by name. Could you pick him out of a line up during that era?
5. Did your Family member participate in any veterans history projects? Do they have any photos?
6. Request any photographic records of him from the National Personnel Records Center NPRC. This will take a very long time and likely not before your project is due.
7. If you are that desperate you can try the approach PVT Mark Zehner proposed.

They did not keep extensive photo records (like an ID card photo) as there was really no means to archive, store, and disseminate them in the 1940s. Then there was the NPRC fire of 1973 that destroyed swaths of records from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and the intervening years. Partial records may exist. You can only put in a FOIA request and hope.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 6 at 2019 6:05 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 18:05:15 -0500

How many cousins have you? Due to family situations, my cousins had prized photos.