In some states, if your ex-wife ever used any government funded assistance such as welfare, afdc and/or medical care the money might have went to the state. I know a lady who's refund on taxes got held because of her husbands illegitimate child. It all went to the state because the mother of the child had received government assistance.
How long has it been? A lawyer on this site says that it can take about 6 months to receive the benefits. askmehelpdesk.com/taxes/child-support-ta... Your ex-wife or you should call the IRS and trace the funds, or your state treasury/revenue department... depends on if it was state or federal taxes.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.