World War II

Meet the woman who photographed the
untold stories of WWII


Toni Frissell’s work made visible those who were often overlooked. Today, her granddaughter honors her legacy by sharing her story.

We are able to get a glimpse into life during WWII thanks to the work of photographers like Toni Frissell, who traveled overseas to take countless images of what was really happening during the war, an incredible feat for a woman in that era. Brent Brookfield learned more about her grandmother’s WWII efforts through records on Ancestry® which further proved Frissell’s passion and bravery throughout her career: “My grandmother wanted to show the culture shift. Women are out there, people of color are out there, everybody’s helping each other… She knew that history was being made and she wanted to be part of that.”

Find your WWII ancestors

Article

The 100th Infantry Battalion:
A Proud Fighting Force

By Ancestry®

The US was at war with Japan—but this distinguished Japanese-American battalion was determined to defend its country.

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Article

The World War II Draft Card Collection

By Ancestry®

This set of over 49 million draft cards reveals personal details like height, eye color, and the signatures of the men who were called to serve.

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Gallery

The Fold3® Honor Wall

Are the veterans in your family receiving the recognition they deserve? Search for your World War II ancestors’ names and faces on the Fold3 Honor Wall.

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Article

The Tuskegee Airmen:
A Fighting Chance

By Henry Louis Gates, Jr

This inspiring group of African American fighter pilots achieved tremendous success from high above the battlefields.

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Article

Women in the War:
Rising to the Occasion

By Henry Louis Gates, Jr

Women from every corner of America answered the call in myriad ways—serving as chefs, nurses, mechanics, even pilots.

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Facts

Did You Know?

More than 650,000 Jeeps were built during WWII. American factories also produced 300,000 military aircraft, 89,000 tanks, 3 million machine guns, and 7 million rifles.

Source: Fact Retriever

Video

The Holocaust:
Records of Remembrance

By Great Big Story

Arolsen Archives and Ancestry® have digitized millions of records of those persecuted during the Holocaust, ensuring their stories can never be forgotten.

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Article

World War II Records:
A Guide to Our Collections

By Ancestry®

Learn how to find the untold stories in your family’s past with this brief introduction to the wide variety of World War II resources available on Ancestry®.

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Article

War of the Worlds:
How It All Began

By Ancestry®

In a global conflict fueled by Adolf Hitler’s unrelenting aggression, millions of brave souls rose up to face the challenge of their lives.

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Video

Memorial Day:
Parade of Heroes

Hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford

To honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, watch our virtual parade of inspiring veteran interviews and stories of strength and hope.

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