Saving World War Two Letters
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Soldier's Letters, Love Letters and Other Memorabilia from the Second World War
It horrifies me to think of someone tossing out their grandfather's World War II letters or burning an old diary .My family treasures letters, journals and other memorabilia from the generations that preceded us. Unfortunately not all families feel that these are worth saving. Who cares about that old stuff, some might say.
More and more, people realize these creased and yellowed letters from World War II really are a precious record of a very historic time. Each letter provides a piece of the jigsaw puzzle; a tiny glimpse into one person's experience. The pieces form a larger picture of what the war was like and how it affected people's lives. (photo of a letter to my grandfather)
I've collected a wide variety of books made from World War Two letters. Some are letters the soldiers sent home, others are from the homefront and some are love letters. Do you want to know how to preserve letters that you have or how to turn them into a book? I've included that information too.
More and more, people realize these creased and yellowed letters from World War II really are a precious record of a very historic time. Each letter provides a piece of the jigsaw puzzle; a tiny glimpse into one person's experience. The pieces form a larger picture of what the war was like and how it affected people's lives. (photo of a letter to my grandfather)
I've collected a wide variety of books made from World War Two letters. Some are letters the soldiers sent home, others are from the homefront and some are love letters. Do you want to know how to preserve letters that you have or how to turn them into a book? I've included that information too.
Contents at a Glance
- Books of World War II Letters
- Published Letters from World War II
- Published Letters from Women in World Wa...
- Published Love Letters from World War II
- Museums with Collections of World War II...
- V-Mail during World War Two
- World War II Letters Online
- Read WWII Soldiers' Letters Online
- Turn Your Family's World War II Letters...
Books of World War II Letters
Published Letters from World War II
Soldiers writing home
Near Miss by Visionsfromafoxhole
Take a look at these books available from Amazon.
Published Letters from Women in World War II
From women in the military and on the homefront
Published Love Letters from World War II
Letters of Love and War
Letters Meant a Lot to a Homesick Soldier
Museums with Collections of World War II Letters
V-Mail during World War Two
Museums with Collections of World War II Letters
- Museum of World War II, Natick, Massachusetts
- The Museum of World War II, Inc., with 10,000 square feet of display area, is described as "a...private collection containing the most comprehensive display of original World War II artifacts on exhibit anywhere in the world". The museum is located a few miles west of Boston...
World War II Letters Online
Read WWII Soldiers' Letters Online
- WW2 Letters - Mail & Post from soldiers of the Second World War
- Primary source and first person accounts of world war two in the form of mailed document sent to and from WWII military servicemen.
- WWII Letters, WW2 Letters and Photos
- See the actual letters online and read it (transcribed for easier reading).
Turn Your Family's World War II Letters into a Book
How to Self-Publish Family Letters from the Second World War
With print-on-demand, anyone can create a book and order a few copies for family and friends. They can make it available for ordering online so that an even wider audience can buy the book. Below is one print-on-demand publishing company that I have used for several books.
An Example of World War II Letters Published Using Blurb
Somewhere in France By Bernard P. Lyons/Mary Jo Meloy
More WWII Letters Published through Blurb
Letters Home 1940 to 1945 Written By Russell L. Eberlein
WWII Love Letters
The Chandler's WW2 Letters
More Letters Published with Blurb.com
All My Love, Bob
Tips for Taking Care of Old Letters
WWII Letter home by holycrocodile
Taking care of old paper means don't store it in hot or cold places (attics or garages) or where it is exposed to dampness (basements). Displaying it presents problems, as sunlight can fade the old ink and make the paper brittle. Check out the rest of the tips in the link here on WWII Memories: How to Preserve Letters.
- WWII Memories: How To Preserve Letters
- World War II era letters offer personal insights into the war from veterans and civilians alike. Unfortunately, old letters can easily be lost or destroyed, but History.com offers some tips for preserving historical letters for future generations:
An Ounce of Preservation : A Guide to the Care of Papers and Photographs
Learn techniques to save old letters
An Ounce of Preservation : A Guide to the Care of Papers and Photographs
An Ounce of Preservation provides a clear and concise discussion of the causes of paper and photograph deterioration and teaches the reader to recognize the damage caused by conditions as temperature, humidity, fungi, insects and rodents, light exposure, pollutants, water damage, framing, lamination, fasteners and adhesives, fire and theft. Included in the long list of paper-based and photographic items which can be preserved and repaired are letters, books, posters, works of art on paper, certificates and awards, comic books, journals, scrapbooks, magazines, newspapers, stamps, report cards, sports cards, greeting cards, postcards, black and white and color photographs, negatives, slides and movie film. An Ounce of Preservation also includes information on the care and handling of paper-based items and photographic materials and techniques for the repair and cleaning of mildly damaged items. (description from Amazon)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Acid Free Storage Box for Old Letters
Keep the letters from deteriorating
Adorama Archival 8 1/2" x 11" Clamshell Print Storage Box, Color: Black, 9" x 11 1/2" x 1 1/2" (Letter)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
You Can Create a Web Site to Preserve the Letters Online
Example of a blog saving a father's WWII letters
This site shows the actual letter, a transcription of it and also some background information on each. The title of this webpage is "Dad's WWII Letters to Mom."
World War II Letters Show up on eBay
Sometimes in a batch or just one or two
Get your bid in for some wonderful WWII memorabilia. Check here for more tips about collecting military letters from various wars.
Navy Letters of World War Two
Volume 1 - Eugene Schmidt to Maxine O'Connell
Flynn's Letter (WWII letters published with Blurb)
by Joseph A. Burke (preview the book)
Dear Folks, by Paul Stoloff
The World War II Memoirs of 1st. Lt. Marvin Stoloff
This book shows the handwritten letter as the background design on the page. That is overlaid with the text of the letter in printed form for easier reading.
Dear Folks, by Paul Stoloff | Make Your Own Book
Dear Folks, by Paul Stoloff | Make Your Own Book Letters from My Father by Barbara Boudens
Preview the book online
Dear Gramp by Joshua B. Bell, Editor
WWII letters
Dear Gramp by Joshua B. Bell, Editor | Make Your Own Book
This is a collection of letters written by the editor's Grandfather to his Grandfather during World War II. The book contains typed copies of the letters, the original letters and envelopes, as well as several pictures.
Five Minute Furlough
By Matthew E. Hardy (a WWII Marine's letters)
Letters from the War: Gordon M. Sill in the Pacific, WWII by Michael R. Sill
Letters From Artie by Terry Lyons
WWII letters saved in a book published by Blurb
Save WWII Letters by Sharing Them on YouTube
A son reads his father's WWII Air Force letters
This is a great way to share the letters with family members and the whole world.
curated content from YouTube
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Are You Saving Your Family's Letters and Memorabilia?
V-Mail by ww2posters
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AlleyCatLane
May 19, 2012 @ 10:04 pm | delete
- This comes at a good time as my 89 year old father just passed and I am going through all his papers and belongings. He was in WWII. I have his manual from the USS Custer, the Navy ship he was on, tons of photos and postcards, and also tons of items about his Masonic activities. I'll bookmark this for future reference.
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vallain May 19, 2012 @ 10:43 pm | delete
- I lost my dad last month also. He was 87. Since we already have a book about his life that we self-published, I'm thinking to make a photo book in his memory. I'm finding lots of fascinating old photos.
I really hope you go ahead with the book project. Over the years, the photos and postcards get damaged or misplaced. A book will preserve that memory.
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MiddleSister
May 19, 2012 @ 3:49 pm | delete
- Social history is wonderful stuff. World War II letters are very much worth preserving! Thanks for explaining how to do it.
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LittleTwoTwo
May 19, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
- loved this lens ... fabulous suggestions .. I never throw them out, the genealogist in me would revolt. But I have lost some due to not knowing the best way to keep them.
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LittleTwoTwo
May 19, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
- loved this lens ... fabulous suggestions .. I never throw them out, the genealogist in me would revolt. But I have lost some due to not knowing the best way to keep them.
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mamabush
Mar 21, 2012 @ 2:57 pm | delete
- Virginia, I love this lens! Thank you for pointing me in its direction. I'm adding it to my Celebrate America lens under World War II. :) SquidAngel Blessed!
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Anna Murray
Mar 20, 2012 @ 2:51 pm | delete
- Don Murray's WWII letters (and a great romance) are now available.
http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Snap-ebook/dp/B007JCTXSM/
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veryirie
Feb 29, 2012 @ 2:33 pm | delete
- Some wonderful information! Once a month I go to Maui and sort through family "papers" from the old homestead. My husband's Uncle belonged to the 442nd in WWII and I've found several pieces of interest regarding that. Lots of history that should be preserved before it's gone.
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Joan4
Feb 14, 2012 @ 12:19 pm | delete
- Yes, I have some letters my parents wrote to each other during WWII. A treasure indeed!
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Richard3331
Feb 13, 2012 @ 3:33 am | delete
- A great Lens Thank You
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by vallain
I'm Virginia Allain, a retired librarian. Now I devote myself to writing, photography and designing books to self-publish. Having fun!
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A Blog about WWII Letters
More World War II Letters Saved in a Book
All My Love, Chad: The WWII Love Letters of Private Charles D. Crouchley
Amazon Price: $12.85 (as of 06/03/2012)
You Can Save World War II Letters Online
Here are Squidoo webpages featuring some
