When George Petras registered for the WWII draft in 1942, he probably didn't imagine his paperwork would one day tell the complete story of a Slovak immigrant's American dream. From a transcription error that led to discovering the real SS Scharnhorst to money transfer receipts showing family support, this case study demonstrates how thorough genealogical research transforms names and dates into compelling human stories.

Part of the Storyline Genealogy series. When apparent record errors threaten to derail research, meticulous source verification transforms contradictions into breakthrough discoveries.