Discover Your Calloway County WWII Legacy

Discover Your Calloway County WWII Legacy...

In a special program honoring America’s 250th Anniversary, the Calloway County Genealogical and Historical Society, in partnership with the Calloway County Public Library and the Murray State University Department of Libraries, invites you to a compelling afternoon of discovery and remembrance.

Please join us as Dr. Bradley L. Coleman, Senior Historian at The Center for Applied History LLC in Atlanta, leads a hands-on session on how to uncover the military stories of relatives who served in World War II. Whether your ancestor was a soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman, this program will equip you with the tools to bring their service to light.

Coleman brings over 25 years of experience as a historian in both federal service and academia—including roles as Command Historian for the U.S. Southern Command and Historian at the United States Department of State. A 1995 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, he formerly directed the John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History at VMI. He also holds an M.A. from Temple University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.

Using the life stories of Calloway County veterans as case studies, Coleman will walk attendees through:
• How to begin researching a WWII service member—even those who left few records behind
• Where to find government archives and military documents
• Which online and correspondence-based resources are most helpful
• How to ask deeper questions that go beyond “name, rank, and serial number”
Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just beginning your journey into family history, this program offers a rare opportunity to connect personal heritage with national history.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided following the program, sponsored by the Murray State University Department of Libraries. All are welcome—come be part of the story.