8/7/14 Program -- Military History -- Research Can Lead to Understanding By Exploring Feelings

Jennifer Holik, genealogical and military researcher, speaker and author, told of her efforts as a historian and writer to feel and convey what going to war was like, for the soldiers and for their families.  She read moving passages from her books which immortalized and document the lives of ordinary people.  About four years ago because of a family interest, she started researching D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and World War I.  She said the stories she found highlighted what was lost, broken or changed…but also things which were found and built upon.

She said she hopes to help people be able to track down lost records and details of the lives of relatives and others, and gain a deeper understanding of the events of their lives.    She cited types of records which aren’t normally thought of as searchable, such as military unit orders, for clues about points in a person’s life and feelings.  She said not to be deterred when hearing that records in the military repository had been burned up in a fire.  She also pointed out that stories can be told in different ways, and feels most anyone can be comfortable in recounting them.

She has written several books including, The Tiger’s Widow; Engaging the Next Generation: A Guide for Genealogy Societies and Libraries;  and Stories from the Battlefield: A Beginning Guide to World War II Research.    Writing to the reader in the introduction to Stories of the Lost, “Basic research is important so you have an overview of events, however, you must dig deeper.  Entrench yourself in the mud and snow, pain and grief, death and dying of war.  Feel what the men felt.  Experience the battle through their senses.  Witness what the family felt upon hearing of their loved one’s death.”

A historian, she specializes in research of WWII, Women, Italian Genealogy and Youth Education.  She can be reached through jenniferholik@generationsbiz.com , 630-802-0947 , and http://jenniferholik.com and http://blog.generationsbiz.com .  To read more about her, see "More" below.