Researching Military Records

There is so much out there on researching military records to obtain information on your ancestors. Through this class we are mostly going to focus on why you should search military records, and then point you in the right direction to get started.

Why military records?

1. These government records often contain valuable information not only about the veteran, but also family members.
2. Compiled service records:
1. Rank, unit, dates, medical history, etc.
3. Pension records:
1. Applications, payment records, etc.
2. Often the most valuable for Family History
3. Narratives of events during service, marriage, birth, death certificates, family letters, etc.
4. Available through the National Archives
4. Bounty Land:
1. Payment or reward of land for service.
2. If served in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, early Indian Wars, or the Mexican War, a search of these records may be worthwhile.
3. Often contain similar information to pension records.
5. Draft Registration records
1. name, birth date and place, occupation, dependents, nearest relative, physical description, and country of allegiance of an alien.
2. Microfilms available in SLFHC, Ancestry.com and National Archives.

Where do I begin?

1. Narrow your search:
1. What branch of the military?
2. Dates of service?
3. Regular or volunteer?
4. Officer or enlisted personnel?
2. Places to Start:
1. An excellent article on the National Archives website on how to research military records: http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2002/fall/military-records-overview.html
2. http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/military/index.html
3. http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa_military_ancestors.htm
4. Requesting records from the national archive: http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa_military_records.htm
5. http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson14.htm
3. During the colonial period in America most able-bodied men between the ages of 16 to 60 were called on to be part of the local militia. These units evolved into the National Guard after the Civil War. Records of militia and national guard units were kept by local and state governments. State archives, state adjutant generals' offices, historical societies, courthouses and libraries may have records of local citizens who served in the military.
1. Information on State resources: http://www.usigs.org/library/military/links/index.html

Lots more links: http://www.cyndislist.com/military.htm