February 2002 Genealogy Forum News

Researching Military Records

Which war or battle your ancestor served in will determine what type of records you will want to get. For example, there were the Indian Wars, Revolutionary War, Mexican American War, Civil War, WW1, Korean, Vietnam and WW2.

Let's start off with the Indian Wars which date back to the late 1500's-1600's here in America. The more well-known Indian Wars were fought between 1815-1858. This was at a time when settlers were moving westward which caused a lot of friction between the settlers and the Native Americans. This was also during a time when the government was having the different tribes sign treaties, which didn't always work out too well. My 2nd and 3rd Great Grandfathers were in the Rough River Indian War in Oregon. My 3rd Great Grandfather, Gen. Joseph Lane, was assigned to be an Indian Agent, to make peace with the Native Americans. There were battles. However in the end, one of the chiefs who had become friends with my 3rd Great Grandfather named his son Chief Joseph.

You can find a lot of history about the different battles in history books, which would be very rewarding for you. That way you can get a better understanding what your ancestors went through during those times.

Many of you had ancestors who were in the Revolutionary, Mexican American, Indian and Civil Wars. There are records you can access to document that your ancestor did indeed fight in those battles.

Your best resource is the National Archives for they have tons of microfilm rolls on Military Records; index of those who enlisted, Militia Rolls, Pensions Records, Bounty Land Claims, etc. You can also find Microfilm Records at your local Family History Center, if you don't live near a National Archive. However, the Family History Center does not have all the pension and Military Service Records. They do have quite a bit though. Check out the Family History Center Website at: http://www.familysearch.org

Once there, click on the Library Catalog and do a subject search. Type the keyword in, such as Civil War. If you are unable to get to a National Archive, you might want to see if someone from that area could do some look ups for you. I personally have done that in the past for others.

The National Archives has indices for the Revolutionary, Civil, (War of 1812), Indian and Mexican American Wars. When you go there, ask for the Military Book, which lists all the film Numbers. Do a search for Compiled Service Records, or for Pension Records.

On the microfilm, you will see index cards that have been filmed -- it will be alphabetized. Search for your individual. Once you find him, there may be more than one person with the same name. The card will list what state he enlisted in, what his rank was and what regiment he was in. With this information you can check to see if he actually received a Pension, or if his widow received one. The Pension Index, is on a separate roll of films. If you find your individual, write down all the information that is on there. Now you are ready to send away for the Military and Pension Records. Now if your ancestor was injured in the War, don't forget to send for Medical Record on him also. The Family History Center has many films on Hospital records for you to check out.

When I did research on my Great Grandfather Edward Bowers who was in the Civil War, I first found him on the 1890 Census. As most of you know the 1890 Census was destroyed by fire. However they reconstructed the 1890 census for all those who survived the Civil War. It will list their name, the regiment they were in and what rank they held. With this information you can go to the Military records at the National Archives to search for them.

I did find my great grandfathers listed in the Civil War and I order his Military and Pension Records. In his Military records it stated when he enlisted, what rank he held, who he served under, description of himself, i.e., ... height, hair and eye color, when he was discharged, and why. The Military record stated he had a deafness in his ear and that is why he was discharged, it listed the different hospitals he was in. However his Pension record showed a whole different story why he was discharged. His company were in pursuit, they were crossing a railroad on their horses, his horse tripped, my great grandfather fell off the horse, and the horse fell on top of him, breaking three of his ribs and his left leg. So make sure you get both records, Military and the Pension Records. Also in the Pension Records was a copy of my great grandparents Marriage certificate, which revealed my great grandmother's maiden name, which I didn't have before and the exact place they were married.

Go to the National Archives website to order the proper forms you need. http://www.nara.gov/research/ordering/ordrfrms.html#use

Just follow the directions on that website. The main website of the National Archives is: http://www.nara.gov

For those of you who had ancestors who fought in the War of 1812, you will find these records at the National Archives on Microfilm along with all the other Wars mentioned above. Each War has a different set of Microfilm Rolls.

One other source you can use, specifically for the Civil War, is the big vol. set of "The War of the Rebellion." This lists all those who served, what company/regiment they were in, etc. It also will give a description at times, what battles their particular regiment was in. You can find these books at most of your Public Genealogy Libraries.

For those who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Family History Center has on their computers all those who fought. You have to go to a local Family History Center near you to look at these files, for they are not on the Internet.

For WW1 and WW2 records you will want to visit the National Archives site on Next of Kin to Veterans at: http://www.nara.gov/regional/mprpub1a.html

This site will explain how to get records on your ancestor. You will have to send away for them to the Archive in Missouri. All other Records prior to the Spanish American War you send to Washington, DC National Archive. The reason for this, all those who served in the Military in the past 75 years is restricted to the service person, next of kin, or requesters with a release authorization from the veteran, if deceased from the next of kin. Many of the records that were housed in the Archive in MO were destroyed by fire. They were: Army Records from 1912-1959, 80% were destroyed; sixty percent of the air force records for 1947-1963 and one percent or less of army records for personnel discharge since 1 January 1973 were destroyed. If you personally have records for these time periods please contact the National Archives and give them a copy of your records.

One last thing before we close, I would like to briefly explain what Bounty Land Records are. Congress passed a bill in 1776 to give soldiers land, substituting that for wages. Their rank would determine how much land they would receive. Anywhere between 100-1100 acres. If the soldier died before he was discharged, the land would go to his heirs, after the war ended. All Bounty Land warrants were issued for military service prior to 1855. So that would explain why many of your ancestors moved after the Revolutionary War.

Below are some very helpful websites that you can use in your research:

Political Graveyard: (Website about burials of Political/Military figures ) http://politicalgraveyard.com/index.html

DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution): http://www.dar.org

SAR (Sons of the American Revolution): http://www.sar.org/

Civil War Center: http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/civlink.htm

Revolutionary War: http://www.revwar.com/

Indian Wars from 1637-1726: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/1094/indian.htm

Order of the Indian Wars: (We are as interested in the "Indian side" as in the "Army/settlers side," although this organization, and its Assemblies, are not to be a forum for political or sociological crusades or guilt trips--our interest is in military history.) http://www.lbha.org/oiw.html

Order of the Indian Wars: (Site for those who are descended from veterans who fought in the Indian Wars) http://members.tripod.com/~Historic_Trust/indian.htm

You can find the closest National Archive near you by going to: Keyword ROOTS > Resources > Addresses > Government Facilities, National Archives in the US.

You can also find a page entitled Order National Archive Forms under Government Facilities Category.

Host GFS Heather

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(America Online Keyword: roots.) The Editors welcome your ideas and articles,
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