Military Records httpancestry.comlibraryviewancmag2984.asp

							      Military Records
http://ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2984.asp




             Bovington Camp England
Holman Salway in
England
Jens Hansen From
Denmark. 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 dates
   Gulf War 1991
   Vietnam War 1965-73
   Korean War 1950-53
   World War II 1941-45
   World War I 1917-18
   Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902
   Spanish-American War 1898
   Civil War 1861-65
   Mexican War 1846-48
   Indian Wars 1780-1800
   War of 1812-15
   Revolutionary 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/appointment
    2. Duty stations and assignments
    3. Training
    4. Qualifications
    5. Performance
    6. Awards and medals
    7. Disciplinary actions
    8. Insurance
    9. Emergency data
    10. Remarks
    11. Separation
    12. Discharge
    13. 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 pensioners
These 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 Rule
    1. 20th century records are at the NPRC in St.
       Louis, Missouri
    2. Records prior to 1900 can be found at the
       NARA
    3. 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 records
http://www.archives.gov/forms/ Forms for ordering military records