In commemoration of America’s Entry into World War I on April 6, 1917, the National Archives has launched a World War I Research Portal “with the goal of creating a central space for all National Archives resources and content related to World War I for use by researchers, students and educators, and those curious about the War.”
So that of course got me to thinking about my Montana ancestors. I did a search at chroniclingamerica.com and located this front page from a Butte newspaper on that date . . .
And then I wondered what might come up if I searched the word “Montana” inside the WWI images at the National Archives. Here are a few interesting photos that came up . . .
And then there was this wonderful surprise – a photograph of a board erected by the Helena Commercial Club containing the names of persons serving in the military from Lewis and Clark County.
I immediately downloaded the image and found that it contained the name of my maternal grandfather JOHN D. BLACKER, my paternal grandfather CID H. DALIN, and my paternal grandfather’s uncle, ERICK DALIN.
It appears the board was mounted on the outside of a building, just below the painted images, and a quote that reads . . .
And to this we pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
In the coming days, I’ll share several photos from our family collections that relate to World War I.
But in the meantime, this was another exciting find!
Copyright (c) 2017, Lark M. Dalin Robart
NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTO CITATIONS
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Photograph No.45493463 [electronic record]; “Liberty Bonds – Public Gatherings – Great Falls, Montana. War Activities,” [undated]; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917-1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860-1952, Record Group 165; National Archives and Records Administration.
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Photograph No. 23923459 [electronic record]; “Montana troops take part in war activities parades. Co. E on parade, Helena, Mont,” [undated]; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917-1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860-1952, Record Group 165; National Archives and Records Administration.
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Photograph No. 31480828 [electronic record]; “Honor roll. Board erected by Helena, Montana Club, giving the names of persons in the service of the United States. Helena, Montana,” [undated]; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917-1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860-1952, Record Group 165; National Archives and Records Administration.
