Military Genealogy

Unveiling Your Military Legacy

The PMML is unveiling new genealogy research packages to members and non-members in October! If you have always wanted to research a service member that is important to you and are unsure where to start, Library Services staff can conduct research on your behalf.

The PMML is excited to offer new options for genealogy research. We offer two options: basic inquiry where PMML staff will research and answer your request and a full digital report which will be sent to the requester electronically through email. Please see the Q&A sections below for detailed information.

FAQ

What can I potentially receive in the full report package?

Depending on availability of this information, you can potentially receive a report with a maximum of five pages with a short narrative biography of the service member, a short narrative history of the military unit they served in, and if available, images of maps where they may have served and medals they received. Any maps provided would be based on where their unit went and not necessarily the individual service member.

The short biography which will include (subject to the availability of this):

Their full name
Birthdate
Where they lived
Whom they married
When they died

As previously mentioned, please understand this information is subject to availability.

In 1973, the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri, which houses military records, experienced a devastating fire that unfortunately destroyed many original military records. Although National Archives staff have tried to reconstruct these records, if your service member’s records were destroyed, we will be unable to provide enough information to complete a full report for you.

I’ve hit a snag in my research. Should I pursue one of these options?

If you have experience with genealogy research or are a professional genealogist, we do not suggest purchasing a full report. This option is intended for those who have never done genealogy before and would like the research conducted for them by a librarian to have all the information presented to them in one place.

The basic inquiry option is intended for those who have a specific question that does not require needing or using military records to answer.

If you have researched your service member before and have either found information or found very limited information, there is a very good chance we will not be able to find anything new for you due to the nature of historical and genealogical research. In many cases there is information that is simply unavailable, and we will be unable to find anything that you have not found.

What if I want to do research on my own? Can I use your collections? Can a librarian help guide me in the right direction?

As someone who is currently not a PMML member, will I receive a discount if I purchase a basic inquiry and later decide I want to purchase a full report? Will I receive a refund if you are unable to answer my question or cannot complete my report?

Download FAQ as PDF

PRICING

Limited research

Basic Inquiry

Non-Member Cost

$25

(non-refundable)

Non-Member Veteran Cost

No charge

Member Cost

No charge

BEST VALUE

Full Report

Up to 5 pages including information from sources like the National Archives, images, and more .You will receive a comprehensive report which includes: a biographical section, details on the service member's military service with maps showing where they served, and any medals or awards they received (if available).

Non-Member Cost

$75 Total

$25 initial service fee (non-refundable)
Remaining balance due before providing report

Member Cost

$60

(20% off regular price)

Start Your Military Journey Today!

See what awaits you.

Submit Request

In addition to these research packages, the library also has genealogy books available for members to check out or use in our reading room. Contact reference@pritzkermilitary.org for more information.