On the Bookshelf: Fruits of Victory. The Woman's Land Army of America in the Great War

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Missouri was touring the World War I Museum in Kansas City. Let me just say that if you go to Kansas City, this museum is a must stop. They have the largest collection of World War I artifacts outside of Britain. When you go, plan on spending the whole day there checking out the exhibits. You can also go downstairs and research in their library. 

While at the museum I picked up a book that is a fabulous history of the Woman's Land Army. This book is Fruits of Victory by Elaine F. Weiss. What was the Women's Land Army you ask?  "From 1917 to 1920 the Women's Land Army brought thousands of city workers, teachers, artists, businesswomen, and college students into rurual America to take over the farm work after men were called to wartime service." These women played a vital part in America's history but their service is pretty much forgotten.

Elaine F. Weiss also has a website that is a good resource for learning more about the book and the role that these women played.

This book is a good reminder that some of the things are ancestors were part of will never be found in an online computer database. One of my soapbox issue is the importance of libraries, museums and archives to our research. Checking out those sources will only enhance your research and help you to better know your ancestors. What I love about authors like Weiss is that they do the interviews and archival research that brings these long forgotten aspects of history to us so that we can then use it in our understanding of our family history.