Military Recordshttp://ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2984.asp

Bovington Camp England

Holman Salway in England

Jens Hansen FromDenmark. Notice the Medal.

John S. Wood

Clues from photos Identify the individual Branch of military they were in Determine which war they were in Watch for other items in the photos such as:

uniform, clothing style, others in photo or objects to identify the time period

Look for patches, medals which could represent the rank of the individual

Any clues could be helpful in finding the military records of your ancestors

What you must know to find a record

Individual’s full name Military branch Time period Where are the records kept for that

time period Proper request forms

The military kept excellent records of those who served

American war datesGulf War 1991Vietnam War 1965-73Korean War 1950-53World War II 1941-45World War I 1917-18Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902Spanish-American War 1898Civil War 1861-65Mexican War 1846-48Indian Wars 1780-1800War of 1812-15Revolutionary War 1775-83

Records found at Prior to the Revolution – record found

at state archived or historical society. After the Revolution – if a person

served in the state’s militia those records are at a state level as well

Useful book “U.S. Military Records” at the libraries

National Archives

Types of Records Draft and conscription Enlistment and service Pension National military cemetery Bounty land records (payment for service) Veteran’s administration hospital records Soldiers’ home records Lineage society records I.e. D.A.R. Published unit histories Veteran’s organizations, I.e. V.F.W. Military Academy records Biographies

Service Records Comprise the bulk of the information you will find They are the most accessible They document

1. Enlistment/appointment2. Duty stations and assignments3. Training4. Qualifications5. Performance6. Awards and medals7. Disciplinary actions8. Insurance 9. Emergency data 10. Remarks11. Separation12. Discharge13. Retirement

Genealogical data found in service records Full name Rank Age Physical description Marital status Occupation City of birth Place of residence at enlistment

Pension Records These records can provide the most

genealogical data, especially if your ancestor served prior to the 20th century

No social security so the family depended on the pensions

Awarded to officers, disabled, needy, widows/orphans

Pension files contain all the paper work the person had to go through to get the pension

These records could contain:

1. Name

2. Spouse name

3. Rank

4. Military unit

5. Length of service

6. Residence at time of application

7. Documented proof of service (from others who could attest to the service)

8. Discharge papers When a wife applied she had to prove her

marriage and the children living with her at the time of the application

Published lists of pensionersThese lists give the name, service information,

age, death date, and even his or hers heirs

1. 1792-95, 1813, 1817, 1818, 1828, 1831, 1835, 1840, 1849, 1857, 1883, 1899

2. Federal censuses of 1840, 1890 and 1910

3. These can be found at most major libraries. Look for the U.S. Congressional Serial Set

Service and Pension Files Most records stored at the NARA Some records are stored at National

Personal Records Center in St. Louis Missouri

General Rule1. 20th century records are at the NPRC in St.

Louis, Missouri2. Records prior to 1900 can be found at the

NARA3. These facilities do not do research, but when

provided with the right information they well make copies for a fee

These records can only be obtained by the individual or a direct descendant

Between 16 & 18 million records were destroyed by fire in 1973. These were Army and Air Force records house in St. Louis, Missouri

http://www.archives.gov/about_us/regulations/part_1258.html www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/research_topics/military.html http://www-personal.umich.edu/~cgaunt/civwar.html http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/3680/cw/cw.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson14.htm http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/fees_november_2000.html http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/research_topics/military.html http://www.archives.gov/research/order/ Where to order military recordshttp://www.archives.gov/forms/ Forms for ordering military records