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If you’re looking for an ancestor’s long lost WWII story, you’re in the right place.
If you’re looking for an ancestor’s long lost WWII story, you’re in the right place.
Have you always wondered about the role a loved one played in WWII? Do you want the help of a professional researcher to look into their story - for free - no strings attached?
Have you always wondered about the role a loved one played in WWII? Do you want the help of a professional researcher to look into their story - for free - no strings attached?
So many of the Greatest Generation took their war to the grave, saying little of of it in their lifetime. But fragments of their stories may remain. And I'd like to help you find them.
So many of the Greatest Generation took their war to the grave, saying little of of it in their lifetime. But fragments of their stories may remain. And I'd like to help you find them.
Research services
Research services
In short, pro bono archival research about your loved one’s WWII service.
I’ll search for your ancestor’s war records using digital and archival resources. I'll synthesize source material and share consolidated findings with you, simplifying wartime jargon and contextualizing your loved one's service in the broader war effort.
submit a research request
submit a research request
To get started, please fill out the form below (or via this direct link) - where you'll provide information about yourself and the WWII veteran you'd like researched.
The more information you're able to provide, the better I'm able to determine whether the project is a good fit. If it is, I'll be in touch.
my background
my background
I'm Mara - the granddaughter of two WWII vets - and a researcher, writer, and ex-business management consultant.
Almost four years ago, I began researching my paternal grandfather’s WWII story that he took to the grave. Since, I’ve used big data + 21st century digital tools to make his bomb group's history accessible - via online archives and a dashboard with over a million data points about the group.
A byproduct of this work are the dozens of strangers I’ve heard from who have ties to my grandfather's group. I've received a mountain of emails from people all over the world struggling to piece together a loved one’s war. Without expectation of help, I'm often asked if I have any ideas on how to unravel the mystery.
I've happily helped many times over, and up until now, I've fulfilled these requests quietly, never advertising this research or help.
But because I've found this work infinitely interesting and rewarding - that which turns strangers to friends and brings the past to the present - I want to publicly advertise what I've been doing privately.
Want to know more? See the links below.
Why is the research free?
Why is the research free?
There’s no catch - for real.
My grandfather Wally (pictured above) suffered from PTSD and took his war to the grave. Piecing together the fragments over the last four years has reshaped my perception of him: he stayed beyond his tour, flew more missions than 95% of airmen in his group, and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the war’s last act. My research revealed an ordinary man doing the extraordinary in war.
I want to help others uncover similar stories of sacrifice and service within their families.
So many WWII vets never spoke of their wars, and doing the research to piece them together can be daunting. But keeping these stories alive matters.
It's important to me that these stories remain alive and accessible to those who seek them.
There's absolutely no charge for the research if I'm able to take on your project. However, donations in any amount are greatly appreciated: https://ww2truslow.com/contact-mara-truslow/donate/
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