GENEALOGY HINTS 
WWII Draft Registrations: But Wait—There’s More!

Many items that look like single-page documents online actually consist of two pages, and we often forget to look at the digitized image which precedes or follows the one we are focussed on. In fact, not all genealogy websites bother to tell you that there is a page two!

image: WWII Draft Registration, front of card

The “Old Man’s” draft registration cards from WWII have a front and a back. Be sure to look at the other side which gives a physical description of the registrant. 

Let’s examine the example above:

This card is “image 445 of 2545.” It shows where Jerry Brangiero lived, where he worked, how old he was, where he was born (and when!), and lists the name of his wife. It also bears his signature. From the display online, one might assume that the above image is all there is. But wait—there's more! Go to image 446 of 2545, and you will find a physical description of Mr. Bragiero: how tall, what he weighed, color of eyes, color of hair, complexion, and where he registered.

RESEARCH TIP: “Page twos” are easy to miss. Always check the image before and the image after the one which holds your immediate attention. Why check before? Because some of the microfilm reels were digitized in reverse!