On Demand: For Those Who Served: Military Research From Colonial Conflicts to World War II

Thank you for purchasing On Demand: For Those Who Served: Military Research from Colonial Conflicts to World War II!

Throughout American history, brave men and women have answered the call to serve our country and defend our families. Many of us can claim these courageous citizens as our ancestors. But how do we learn more about their service? In this five-session online seminar, you will learn the tools, tips, and strategies to research veteran ancestors who served in colonial conflicts, the American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

This course includes five 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.

CLASS TOPICS

Class 1: Soldiers of Colonial Conflicts
Presented by David Allen Lambert

This first class discusses how to research ancestors who served in the Pequot War, King Philip’s War, King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War, King George’s War, and French and Indian War.

Class 2: Revolutionary War Patriots
Presented by Elizabeth Peay

Learn how to trace your patriot ancestors using muster rolls, quartermaster rolls, pension files, the 1840 census, journals and diaries, and more.

Class 3: War of 1812 Veterans
Presented by David Allen Lambert

The National Archives holds important records for War of 1812 veterans including compiled service and pension records. Learn how to access and use these important resources, plus muster rolls, correspondence from officers, town histories, and more.

Class 4: Soldiers of the Civil War
Presented by David Allen Lambert

There are a number of sources that can help you trace your Civil War soldier ancestors. From special questions and schedules in select US censuses to GAR member lists to detailed pension files to published regiment histories, you can find the story of your ancestor’s service. Learn how to determine what regiment your ancestor served in, what battles they fought in, and what happened to them and their families after the war. The discussion focuses on Union records, but also mentions resources for Confederate soldiers.

Class 5: World War I & World War II Veterans
Presented by Melanie McComb

Researching World War I and World War II veterans present unique challenges. In 1973 a fire destroyed 16 to 18 million personnel records for the U.S. Army between (service years 1912 to 1960) and the U.S. Air Force (service years 1947 to 1964). Learn how you can start to reconstruct your ancestor’s service using draft registration cards and enlistments, the US census, discharge papers, unit histories, and more.

COURSE HANDOUTS

Class 1 Handout

Class 1 Slides Worksheet

Class 1 Slides (large)

Class 2 Handout

Class 2 Slides Worksheet

Class 2 Slides (large)

Class 2 Additional Resources

Class 3 Handout

Class 3 Slides Worksheet

Class 3 Slides (large)

Class 4 Handout

Class 4 Slides Worksheet

Class 4 Slides (large)

Class 5 Handout

Class 5 Slides Worksheet

Class 5 Slides (large)

Class 5 Additional Resources

RECORDED PRESENTATIONS

Class 1: Soldiers of Colonial Conflicts

Live Broadcast: November 4, 2025

Presented by: David Allen Lambert

Running Time: 01:31:25

Class 2: Revolutionary War Patriots

Live Broadcast: November 11, 2025

Presented by: Elizabeth Peay

Running Time: 01:23:15

Class 3: War of 1812 Veterans

Live Broadcast: November 18, 2025

Presented by: David Allen Lambert

Running Time: 01:15:57

Class 4: Soldiers of the Civil War

Live Broadcast: November 25, 2025

Presented by: David Allen Lambert

Running Time: 01:31:59

Class 5: World War I & World War II Veterans

Live Broadcast: December 2, 2025

Presented by: Melanie McComb

Running Time: 01:45:48

INSTRUCTOR BIOS

David Allen Lambert Chief Genealogist, has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. Lambert has published many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestors magazine. He has authored and or co-authored in the published genealogies presented to David McCullough, Ken Burns, Angela Lansbury, Michael and Kitty Dukakis, Nathaniel Philbrick, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. He has also published eleven books including A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (American Ancestors, 2018), and Vital Records of Stoughton, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1850 (Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2008). David received his B.A. in History from Northeastern University. David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati and the General Society of the War of 1812. David also serves as the tribal genealogist for the Massachusett Tribe at Punkapoag in Massachusetts. His areas of expertise include New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; American and international military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England.

Elizabeth Peay, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press, works as a genealogist for the Publishing team, writing for the Newbury Street Press. Using extensive research and advanced scholarship, she compiles and produces family history projects to meet the highest scholarly standards. One of Elizabeth’s most notable works is the three volume Biographies of Original Members and Qualifying Officers: Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut. Throughout her work, Elizabeth stays in contact with the Advancement team in order to ensure a strong line of communication with her clients. She also works with the Education department to create and deliver lectures, some of which have focused on colonial New England genealogy and Revolutionary War genealogy. Elizabeth has also contributed to the Vita Brevis blog. Prior to her work with American Ancestors, Elizabeth studied at the University of Connecticut and Smith College, earning a dual BA in History and Classical Studies. She completed an internship for the Tiffany Windows Education Center in Boston and worked for Historic New England at Roseland Cottage. Elizabeth’s areas of expertise include colonial New England, the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, Land Bounty records, and Pension records.

Melanie McComb, Senior Genealogist, assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is an international lecturer who teaches on a variety of topics. Melanie holds a B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She previously served as the social media coordinator for the NextGen Genealogy Network, a non-profit that creates a community for younger genealogists, where she managed the Facebook and Twitter accounts. She continues her interest in helping younger genealogists get involved at American Ancestors by assisting with educational programs from local schools, scout groups, and universities. Her areas of expertise include Irish genealogy, DNA, Atlantic Canada, Jewish genealogy, and military records.