Uncle Sam Needs You - Again

The U.S. Army Military History Institute is conducting a major survey to acquire source material on World War II, and invites all World War II veterans to contribute.

The institute, the Army’s official central repository for historical source material, has nearly 237,000 books, more than 50,000 periodicals, 5 million-plus pieces of personal papers and nearly 740,000 photographs. It’s America’s finest military library.

To strengthen its holdings further, the institute is asking WWII veterans to donate pertinent historical records: books, camp and unit newspapers, letters home, V-Mail, diaries, memoirs, correspondence and official reports, photographs, illustrations, films, audiotapes, insignia and unit patches.

The institute also wants veterans to complete an 18-page questionnaire about general military, overseas and combat service, occupation and demobilization, and postwar experiences.

To help, write to: Army Services Experiences Questionnaire, Dept. of the Army, U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA 17013-5008.

Now, for miscellaneous bits and pieces:

Janie Cattoor shares Native American research aids: Cherokee Cousins provides books on Cherokee genealogy, language and culture. Its October 1995 flyer lists 26 related genealogical items, beginning with a must-have book, “Exploring Your Cherokee Ancestry,” by Tom Mooney ($10), and ending with a T-shirt showing Sequoyah using a pointed stick to write the Cherokee syllabary on the ground ($12). Request a flyer by writing to 4530 Bobs Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30083; or call (404) 294-7443.

The Gov. William Bradford Compact, a national organization for descendants of Gov. Bradford of Plymouth Colony, was founded in 1946 to honor his memory and establish a record of his descendents’ accomplishments. The group meets annually, sponsors tours to relevant places in England and Holland, and publishes an annual newsletter. Descendant who want to know more about the organization should contact Mary Ellen Pogue, Secretary, 5204 Kenwood Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815-6604.

Many American families trace their ancestry back to England, but fewer know they have collateral relatives who went to Australia (about 80,000 people were transported to New South Wales before 1849). So, if you’re having trouble locating a great uncle, perhaps you’re looking in the wrong country. Request the brochure Research Services from the Archives Office of New South Wales, 2 Globe St., Sydney NSW 2000. It lists a variety of services and the fee for each.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society’s May 4 meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the downtown Spokane Public Library auditorium. Richard Hobbs, Eastern Washington Branch of the Washington State Archives archivist, will discuss the impact of the Lincoln County Courthouse fire and progress of the new regional archives facility. All interested genealogists are invited to attend.

Today’s tip: A three-hour documentary on the Oregon Trail airs tomorrow evening on PBS. This should provide wonderful background to those whose ancestors made the trek along that trail.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review