The Dooley brothers Joseph, William, and David were
drafted into military service when the United States entered The World War. A
search of the World War I Draft
Registration Cards, 1917-1918 on Ancestry.com
produced draft registration cards for Joseph, William and David Dooley. Stephen’s
World War I draft registration card was not located though I did see his World
War II draft registration.
Whenever this occurs I begin searching records using spelling
variations of the first and surname. I searched for Stephen, Steven, Steve and Ste*n paired with surname variations of Dooley, Duley, D*ly, and D*ley.
Eventually I resorted to reversing the name order. I searched Dooley as the
first name and Stephen the surname. Despite all my strategies, I had no luck in locating Stephen
Dooley’s World War I draft registration card.
He may have enlisted! Or maybe his records were simply lost! Whatever the case, I have enough documentation sitting on my desk proving his military service during The World War.
He may have enlisted! Or maybe his records were simply lost! Whatever the case, I have enough documentation sitting on my desk proving his military service during The World War.
Stephen Clement Dooley served in The Thirty-Third Division
also known as the Prairie Division. The Prairie Division was made up of men
from the Illinois State National Guard. Hmmm . . . maybe Stephen’s records are located with the
Illinois National Guard! I have a new place to search!
I was initially skeptical of his being in this division. The
division’s insignia was a circle with a yellow plus sign in the center. Insignias
were usually worn on the sleeve. Stephen’s sleeve lacked that insignia. I shared this with my husband and he immediately produced it. It
was never sewn onto the sleeve!
