How many Jewish Veterans are in this database?
As of January 2019, our database includes 521 veterans; 48 from WWI and 473 from WWII, including 18 women.
What are the possible fields in the database?
The complete list of information fields used in this database follows below. Each individual’s record displays only the fields for which we currently have information.
| Last Name | Age at Enlistment | Role |
| First Name | Place of Enlistment | Regiment/Service Number |
| Arrival in Southern Alberta | Place of Residence at Enlistment | Training Locations |
| Date of Birth | Occupation at Time of Enlistment | Military Service Countries |
| Place of Birth | Date of Discharge | Military Service Battles |
| Date of Death | Country of Service | Awards / Honours |
| Place of Death | Branch of Service | Place of Burial |
| Parents’ Names | Rank | Grave / Plot Number |
| Spouse’s Name | Unit | Information Source |
| War | Division | Other Information |
| Date of Enlistment | Regiment /Battalion | Photo |
Why are some names in (brackets)?
Most names in brackets are parents’ names taken from a gravestone. These are cases where we are not sure if the individual went by their Yiddish/Hebrew name, or if they commonly used an English name.
Why is the [USSR] sometimes in square brackets?
We listed the USSR in square brackets if it appeared in a source as the location of an event at a date when the USSR did not exist; for example, if someone is listed as being born in the USSR in 1902. We are using 1922 as the date when the USSR was officially formed.
What does 00/00/1921 mean?
It means 1921. If we only have the year, or the month and the year for a date, the database displays the missing information as “0”.
What does “post WWII” mean?
It means that the veteran arrived in southern Alberta at an unknown date, sometime after 1945.
If no death date is listed for a veteran, are they still alive?
In some cases, yes, they are alive. In many cases, we are missing information and do not know if or when the veteran passed away.
What if I can’t find someone that I think should be on the database?
1) Check for alternate spellings
2) Ensure there is a southern Alberta connection, and that the person in question actually served in a World War. (Please note, the database does not include Cadets, veterans from after 1945, etc.)
3) Contact us to let us know
Is this only for Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces?
No, we include veterans of other armies, as long as they had a connection to southern Alberta. For example, we have many veterans from Britain and the former USSR.
Are you planning to add veterans beyond 1945?
Not at this time. Please contact us if you have relevant information, as we are collecting data on later southern Alberta veterans for our archives. For possible sources of information on later veterans, please see our Resources page.
How do I search if I am not sure of the spelling of a name?
If you are unsure of the spelling of a name but know the first letter, use the Browse function to view all names starting with that letter. You can also use ‘wild card’ characters.
What is a wild card character? What do I do with it?
A wild card is a character that is inserted in place of unknown letters. The character used is different for different databases.
For this database, in place of a single letter, use an underscore ( _ ). For example: to search for either Dworkin or Dvorkin), enter D_orkin.
In place of multiple letters, use a percentage sign (%). For example: to search for either Rabinovitch or Rabinovitz, enter Rabinovi%.
On the Advanced Search page, why don’t I have any boxes to type in my search terms?
If you do not see search boxes on the Advanced Search page displayed on your screen, try changing your browser to Explorer and reopening the site.
How do you know the information in the database is correct?
The general principle in research is to use a primary source, or find more than one source providing the same information. We have followed this principle to the best of our ability; where we have been unable to find either a corroborating or primary source, we have indicated as such. If you find what you believe to be an error, please cContact us.
What is a primary source?
A primary source is an ‘original created document’, that is, a document that does not rely on other sources; legal documents, gravestones, personal / autobiographical histories, first-hand documents or information gleaned from the subjects themselves.
Do sources always tell the truth?
No. Incorrect information is sometimes entered into a source due to typing or other errors; false information may have been provided for the original document, especially with regard to age; individuals may misremember details after the fact.
Who do I contact if I find a mistake or have further information?
How do you find Military records for a family member?
To request an active record, please contact Veterans Affairs. For older records housed at Library and Archives Canada, information on requesting military records can be found at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-909.007-e.html
How long are military records confidential?
A military record becomes public 20 years after the death of the Veteran. (Proof of death is required.)