Family stories
The lives behind the names and dates.
Profiles pair family memory with records, preserve the original story, and identify the pieces that still need proof.
Verified recordsJohn Elmer Ervin
1947–2022 · Nebraska, Missouri, Vietnam, and beyond
A family-held DD-214 verifies active Army service from 1966 to 1968, airborne qualification, MOS 11C4P, Vietnam service, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and other decorations.
Family testimony identifies A Company, 1/503, 173rd Airborne and connects John to Hill 882 during the Battle of Dak To. The unit and battle identification is strongly corroborated, but the DA Form 20, orders, or morning reports are still sought for archival verification.
Read John’s sourced career timeline →
Documented coupleBror August Kindgren / August L. Chingren and Helen Mohring
1854–1946 and 1855–1922 · Sweden, New York, Illinois, Nebraska
Swedish church citations identify August’s birth household. The Illinois index records his bride as Ellen Mohring and supplies marriage license 4142. A 1907 atlas places their Nebraska farm in Section 19, Cedar Precinct.
Read the sourced August and Helen profile →
Swedish identity leadMaria Lovisa Johansdotter Banks
1859–1945 · Kalmar län, Missouri, Nebraska
A household-examination transcription places Maria at Boda Husartorp/Bomåla with parents Johan Pettersson Ebb and Lisa Samuelsdotter and gives 25 March 1859 as her birth date. The American marriage or emigration record that proves both Marias are the same person is still missing.
Migration storyElias Benjamin Ervin
1828–1916 · Ohio to Appanoose County, Iowa
An obituary and funeral notice support his identity, 1 August 1828 birth, 19 July 1916 death, and the westward movement that connects the Kentucky/Ohio family to later Iowa and Nebraska generations.