World War I Military Portraits is comprised of more than 32,000 photographs, typewritten volumes, and service records. The items were complied from collections of the American War Mothers Milwaukee County Chapter and the Milwaukee County Council of Defense. These items contain a wealth of genealogical information and provide a candid look into soldiers' ideas and perceptions of the First World War.

The World War I Military Portraits digital collection brings online access to one of the library's most highly used research collections. The current digital collection represents the majority of the service records but is continuously growing, so stop back and see what new records become available.

Much of the collection is comprised of service records transcribed by the American War Mothers. Also, included in the collection are portraits of service men and women in military uniform and less formal snapshots of individuals at their homes or serving in the theater of war as well as records from the eleven volume set titled A Record of the Heroes of Milwaukee County Who Answered Their Country's Call in the World War prepared by the Milwaukee County Chapter of the American War Mothers.

The bulk of the collection was donated by the American War Mothers Milwaukee County Chapter. Other materials were donated by the Milwaukee Council of Defense, the Department on Public Affairs and the Military Affairs Committee.