- June 25, 2026
I have been working regularly doing family history research using FamilySearch.org for more than eight years. I started dabbling in family history work many years before that to learn about the bombing of my father’s ship, the USS West Virginia, at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Lt. j.g. Frederic H. White was an assistant damage control officer on the battleship. He told me he was wearing dress whites that Sunday morning when a bomb hit the ship on the deck just below where he was standing.
The explosion knocked him onto the gun turret below where he was standing and literally knocked him out of his shoes. The next shell hit his shoes.
The explosion knocked him onto the gun turret below where he was standing and literally knocked him out of his shoes. The next shell hit his shoes.
When I enter his name in FamilySearch.org there are 17 principal records, including my mother. Many of those records have links to other sources.
In continuing my research I have been able to download my father’s official U.S. Navy testimony of his duties, responsibilities and events concerning the bombing. I used ChatGPT to learn so much more.
The two people on the bridge are Dorris Miller, a mess attendant second class, and Lt. j.g. Fred White, on the right. When Miller’s duty station was destroyed, Lt. White ordered him to the bridge to assist the mortally wounded Captain Bennion off the bridge. Miller and White then moved forward to man the anti-aircraft guns aft of the conning tower.
Lt. White taught Miller how to shoot the gun and later fed ammunition to Miller as he continued to shoot using all the available ammunition. Then the two moved wounded sailers to safety away from burning fuel.
Lt. White was instrumental in his write-up of the events to recognize Mess Attendant Dorris Miller’s devotion to duty and his bravery, heroism and gallantry during combat. The result was Dorris Miller becoming the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross, the second highest military decoration behind only the Medal of Honor.
I am so excited to learn more history of my father and members of the White family. So far we have data going back 18 generations to Sir John White I, born in England in 1412. As I learn more about my heritage I realize I am the product of all those prior generations, and I seek to learn more about my ancestors.
When I meet new people, I usually ask them about their family and “What do you know about your grandparents and great grandparents? Do you want to learn more? I know several expert consultants who can assist you in doing just that.”
We are putting on a free Community Family History Fair on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the DeLand Stake Center, 1345 Aquarius Ave., DeLand. It will teach you about using the free FamilySearch.org and doing family history research. We are also working together with America 250 to celebrate unity, heritage and progress by inviting individuals, families, and communities to remember, discover and add their own stories.
FamilySearch.org encourages people everywhere to add what they know so “Together We Build America’s Story.” Many people I have talked to locally know family stories, however they are not sure of where the stories came from. Many times researching ancestors’ lives reveals new stories and sources. This effort ensures family members, local stories and ancestor stories contribute to the broad, diverse fabric of America’s national story.
You can start doing your own research by signing in to FamilySearch.org or visiting one of our three local Family Search Centers. You can search for “Family Search Center near me.”
Lastly, if you know of any local organizations, groups or businesses that would benefit from adding depth, color and humanity through family stories, please pass on the invitation to the Community Family History Fair.
Philip White is the Bunnell Ward Temple and Family History Leader, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the FamilySearch Center Coordinator, DeLand Florida Stake. Email him at [email protected]
