Web site features: Family Ties and Stories of Service

"Remembering those who served is fundamental to commemoration"

By Ashleigh Shaw
Staff Writer

Do you have a story about a family member who participated in WWI? The kind of story that is repeated at every holiday dinner; one that tells tales of courage, of battles, of hardship?

The World War One Centennial Commission web site’s Family Ties and Stories of Service sections give you the opportunity to research this family history, share these stories of your forbears, and to remember the sacrifices of those who served.

Family Ties is a collection of information and stories that ensures the memories of veterans and veteran’s families do not vanish overtime. It creates a space to document and preserve these memories. Here, anyone can submit stories of service and artifacts like draft cards or letters. This will help to create a public memory that can be visited and reviewed.

If an individual or an organization find they do not have ancestor who served, you can still use the Family Ties page to research and share others’ stories. Family Ties can connect to you to individuals who do not have anyone to share their story with. You can ensure these stories are not lost.

Together we are creating a cohesive and comprehensive collection of the incredible stories of World War I to ensure an enduring legacy of service continues. You can learn more about those who served and how to share stories, information, and artifacts on the Family Ties page.

Stories of Service, located within Family Ties, is a collection of stories about service members during The Great War. These stories join the permanent collection, and are published on the website. This means that the experiences of servicemen and women will survive for future generations to learn about and commemorate to, and that the anecdotes and accounts are not lost or neglected with time.

Lester W. ChaseOreste AlberighiThese stories are also a means for people today to learn from. Stories featured on the website recently include Private Lester W. Chase, the first man to die from Derry, New Hampshire; and Oreste Paganini, an Italian-American who smoked so frequently he was nicknamed Pipa Calda—“Hot Pipe”. All of the stories of service bind together to show a shared history that is recorded to ensure these stories are not forgotten. You can submit to the Stories of Service section here.

Over 4 million men and women served in uniform during World War I. With such vast numbers, many Americans today have an ancestor who served. If you are struggling with researching a family member who may have served, visit the Family Ties page to connect with information that provides research procedures and resources to use.

With the ongoing remembrance of the Great War, embracing history and remembering those who served is fundamental to commemoration. Visit Family Ties and submit to Stories of Service today to honor those who served during World War I.

Ashleigh Shaw is a Fall 2017 Intern with the United States World War One Centennial Commission.