Suggestions on locating relatives of a WWII vet?

[Bill Miller]

Before you go through the expense of an investigator, I'd try the University of Saskatchewan's archive. they hold the files for the SLI.
http://www.usask.ca/archives/sli/

A quick search on SMith's name pulled up all sorts of available records!?
http://www.usask.ca/archives/sli/sea...sortorder=name

Looks to be info from Part I orders... there is also another Lt. Smith listed too. They may be related. It looks like an archivist at the UofS might be able to give you more clues to Lt. Smith's relatives including wartime and postwar addresses. His is a very common name, but if you know the hometown he may be easier to track.

If he was married. His wife's family may have a more uncommon name to trace. My experience in tracking down vets and their families from the prairies has been quite fruitful and IF he is from Saskatchewan I think it is likely that the family (in some form) still resides there.

Good luck.
Bill.

[M3Mike]

Originally Posted by Bill Miller

It looks like an archivist at the UofS might be able to give you more clues to Lt. Smith's relatives including wartime and postwar addresses. His is a very common name, but if you know the hometown he may be easier to track.

Thanks Bill... I don't know why I didn't think of that as a first step!

I've emailed UoS archivist and will keep everyone updated on my progress. I appreciate everyone's help thus far!

[Bill Miller]

Glad to help. Do keep us informed on how the search goes. If you do find the family I am sure they will be glad to have the letters. If you can't find them, or on the odd chance they don't want them, I am sure they would find a good home in the U of S Archives along with their other SLI documents.

Again, good luck!

[Rob MacDonald]

The SLI was amalgamated into the North Saskatchewan Regiment after the war. here is their DND webpage: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-te...eng.asp?id=182

If you contact the Battalion Orderly Room they can put you in touch with the Regimental Association. Although it's getting 'a little late in the day' there may still be someone who served with this officer.