United States, National Archives, Compiled Military Service Records Sources Civil War: Massachusetts: Difference between revisions
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 190: | Line 190: | ||
*'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|735040|item|disp=Descriptive lists of recruits for Massachusetts volunteers, 1863-1864}} Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images | *'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|735040|item|disp=Descriptive lists of recruits for Massachusetts volunteers, 1863-1864}} Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images | ||
*'''1817-1915''' {{FSC|486195|item|disp=Massachusetts military records,1817-1915 }} Massachusetts Adjutant General. National Guard Supply Depot Natick at FamilySearch Catalog - images | *'''1817-1915''' {{FSC|486195|item|disp=Massachusetts military records,1817-1915 }} Massachusetts Adjutant General. National Guard Supply Depot Natick at FamilySearch Catalog - images | ||
*'''1861-1870''' {{FSC|712783|item|disp= Military agency incoming correspondence (State Military Agent)}} at FamilySearch Catalog - images | |||
*'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|288902|item|disp=Official ''Army register of the volunteer force of the United States Army for the years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65'' 8 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office (United States), 1865-1867.}} pt. 1. New England states | *'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|288902|item|disp=Official ''Army register of the volunteer force of the United States Army for the years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65'' 8 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office (United States), 1865-1867.}} pt. 1. New England states | ||
*'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|573471|item|disp=Official battle lists of the Civil War, 1861-1865, NARA M823}} United States War Department. at FamilySearch Catalog - images | *'''1861-1865''' {{FSC|573471|item|disp=Official battle lists of the Civil War, 1861-1865, NARA M823}} United States War Department. at FamilySearch Catalog - images | ||
| Line 243: | Line 244: | ||
*[[Union Unit Histories]] | *[[Union Unit Histories]] | ||
*[[Union Draft Records]] | *[[Union Draft Records]] | ||
*[[United States, National Archives, Compiled Military Service Records Sources Civil War: Veteran Reserve Corps]] | |||
[[Category:NARA_Military_Records]] | [[Category:NARA_Military_Records]] | ||
[[Category:Civil War, 1861-1865]] | [[Category:Civil War, 1861-1865]] | ||
[[Category:United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865]] | [[Category:United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:15, 22 August 2025
| This article is a finding aid to a collection that exists wholly or in part on the National Archives and Records Administration website. |
Introduction[edit | edit source]
This page lists all or parts of three National Archives microfilm publications helpful in identifying an ancestor or relative serving as a volunteer soldier in a military unit raised in Massachusetts. They are part of Record Group 94 Records of the Adjutant General's Office.
The first is a name index to the compiled military service records. For a description of the index see the National Archives catalog NAID 654530. It is arranged in alphabetical order by surname. The soldiers name will be the one he most often went by or found in the original records. The index card will also identify company and military unit and rank of each soldier entering the service and at discharge. The compiled service records are abstracts from original muster rolls and pay rolls and other records from the Civil War. Copies of compiled military service records can be ordered from the National Archives. Additional information about compiled military service records will be located in the National Archives Catalog NAID 300398.
The second collection known as the Ainsworth List contains lists arranged by military unit identifying original records available and that were abstracted to create compiled military service records for individual soldiers. For additional information see Lists of Records of Military Organizations Used to Create Volunteer Compiled Military Service Records, ca. 1890–ca. 1904 "Ainsworth List" in the National Archives catalog NAID 589591.
Third collection will contain card abstracts of the Record of Events from original records of each military unit raised in Massachusetts outlining its activities and troop movements. The information will vary depending on the military unit.
| Tip: Copies of compiled military service records are available from the National Archives. To request copies see: Requesting Pre-WWI Service Records |
Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers[edit | edit source]
The index is arranged in alphabetical order by the soldier's surname. The soldiers name will be the one he most often went by or found in the original records that were carded. Names could also be listed by initials. The index card will identify company and military unit and rank of each soldier entering the service and at discharge. A soldier could have served in multiple units and a separate compiled military service record would exist for each unit. A cross reference may be found on some cards for multiple spelling or service in additional units. A volunteer may have enlisted under a different name or alias.
These records are part of NARA microfilm collection M-544, Index To Compiled Service Records Of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served In Organizations From The State 0f Massachusetts, 44 rolls. See also the FamilySearch Catalog record, Index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Massachusetts.
For a transcription see Hewett, Janet B. The Roster of Union soldiers, 1861-1865. 33 volumes. Wilmington, North Carolina : Broadfoot Pub. Co., 1997-2000 FS Library book 973 M29h.[v. 2] Vermont; Massachusetts (Aaron, Otis F. to Grutter, Christian) -- [v. 3] Massachusetts (Guared, Thomas to Zydoe, Albert)
Surnames A-Z[edit | edit source]
| Film | DGS | Roll | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 881870 | DGS 8925193 | 1 | A |
| 881871 | DGS 8925194 | 2 | Ba |
| 881872 | DGS 8925195 | 3 | Be-Bl |
| 881873 | DGS 8925196 | 4 | Boa-Broo |
| 881874 | DGS 8925197 | 5 | Brop-Bus |
| 881875 | DGS 8925198 | 6 | But-Ca |
| 881876 | DGS 8925199 | 7 | Ce-Cla |
| 881877 | DGS 8925200 | 8 | Cle-Con |
| 881878 | DGS 8925201 | 9 | Coo-Cun |
| 881879 | DGS 8925202 | 10 | Cur-Def |
| 881880 | DGS 8925203 | 11 | Deg-Dowl |
| 881881 | DGS 8925204 | 12 | Down-El |
| 881882 | DGS 8925205 | 13 | Em-Fis |
| 881883 | DGS 8925206 | 14 | Fit-Fuk |
| 881884 | DGS 8925207 | 15 | Ful-Gle |
| 881885 | DGS 8925208 | 16 | Gil-Gr |
| 881886 | DGS 8925209 | 17 | Gu-Hars |
| 881887 | DGS 8925210 | 18 | Hart-Her |
| 881888 | DGS 8925211 | 19 | Hes-Hos |
| 881889 | DGS 8925212 | 20 | Hot-Ja |
| 881890 | DGS 8925213 | 21 | Je-Kei |
| 881891 | DGS 8925214 | 22 | Kel-Kl |
| 881892 | DGS 8925215 | 23 | Kn-Lei |
| 881893 | DGS 8925216 | 24 | Lej-Lym |
| 881894 | DGS 8925217 | 25 | Lyn-Mat |
| 881895 | DGS 8925218 | 26 | Mau-McKa |
| 881896 | DGS 8925219 | 27 | McKe-Mis |
| 881897 | DGS 8925220 | 28 | Mit-Mun |
| 881898 | DGS 8925221 | 29 | Mur-N |
| 881899 | DGS 8925222 | 30 | O-Paq |
| 881900 | DGS 8925223 | 31 | Par-Ph |
| 881901 | DGS 8925614 | 32 | Pi-Q |
| 881902 | DGS 8925615 | 33 | R-Ric |
| 881903 | DGS 8925616 | 34 | Rid-Rr |
| 881904 | DGS 8925617 | 35 | Ru-Sc |
| 881905 | DGS 8925618 | 36 | Se-Si |
| 881906 | DGS 8925619 | 37 | Sk-Spa |
| 881907 | DGS 8925620 | 38 | Spe-Stor |
| 881908 | DGS 8925621 | 39 | Stot-Ten |
| 881909 | DGS 8925622 | 40 | Teo-Tr |
| 881910 | DGS 8925623 | 41 | Ts-Wal |
| 881911 | DGS 8925624 | 42 | Wan-Whe |
| 881912 | DGS 8925625 | 43 | Whi-Will |
| 881913 | DGS 8925626 | 44 | Wilm-Z |
"The Ainsworth List"[edit | edit source]
This list identifies the original records available to the War Department which were abstracted to create compiled military service records for individual soldiers. The list is arranged by military unit. The collection takes its name from General Fred Crayton Ainsworth, who was appointed head of the Record and Pension Division (R&P) of the Surgeon General's office in 1886. Ainsworth had clerks copy the name, rank, military organization, and medical history of each soldier from the nineteen thousand Civil War hospital registers onto paper cards. After completing that task information from additional records were added. Additional records may also be found at a state archive or historical that were not available for carding.
This index was published as NARA Microcopy T-817, Lists of the Adjutant General's Office for Carded Records of Military Organizations: Revolutionary War Through Philippine Insurrection, "The Ainsworth List. See FamilySearch Catalog record List of the Adjutant General's Office for carded records of military organizations: Revolutionary War through Philippine Insurrection : the Ainsworth list. See also, Claire Prechtel-Kluskens, "Thank you, General Fred C. Ainsworth!", NGS Magazine, Vol. 37, #4, (October-December 2011), pages 54-57.
| Film | DGS | Roll | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1715930 | DGS 7828366 | 57 | Massachusetts (Lists 1-68) |
| 1715931 | DGS 7828367 | 58 | Massachusetts (Lists 69-139 Michigan (Lists 1-11) |
Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units[edit | edit source]
Arranged by military unit then sorted by cavalry, artillery and infantry. The card abstracts are from the Record of Events listed on original records like unit muster rolls of each military unit raised in Massachusetts outlining its activities and troop movements, etc. The information will vary depending on the military unit.
These records were published as NARA M594, Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Volunteer Union Organizations, 225 rolls of microfilms. For a description of the collection download the NARA (descriptive PDF). See FamilySearch Catalog record, Compiled records showing service of military units in volunteer Union organizations.
For a transcription of NARA M594 see Janet B. Hewett, et.al. Supplement to the Official records of the Union and Confederate armies. Wilmington, North Carolina : Broadfoot Pub. Co., 1994-2001 FS Library book 973 M29u, Massachusetts troops (Union Cavalry; Artillery, Heavy; Artillery, Light; Infantry 1st-11th) -- v. 28. (serial no. 40) Massachusetts troops (Infantry 10th-30th) -- v. 29. (serial no. 41) Massachusetts troops (Infantry 31st-Misc.)
Additional unit history information may be found in Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, reprint, New York: Sagamore Press, 1959. 3 vols, FS Library book 973 M2df Volume 3, Massachusetts, page 1237.
| Film | DGS | Roll | Military Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1488527 | DGS 8327627 | 75 | MASSACHUSETTS 1st-4th Cavalry 1st Heavy Artillery 1st Battalion, Heavy Artillery 2nd Heavy Artillery |
| 1488528 | DGS 8327628 | 76 | 3rd Heavy Artillery 4th Heavy Artillery 29th Co., Unattached, Heavy Artillery 30th Co., Unattached, Heavy Artillery 1st Independent Battery-16th Battery, Light Artillery Maj. Cook's Co., Light Artillery 1st Sharp Shooters, Volunteers 2nd Sharp Shooters, Volunteers 1st Infantry 2nd Infantry |
| 1488529 | DGS 8327629 | 77 | 3rd Infantry 3rd Infantry, 3 months, 1861 3rd Battalion, Riflemen, Militia 4th Infantry 4th Infantry, 3 months, 1861 4th Battalion, Militia, Infantry 5th Infantry 5th Infantry, 3 months, 1861 5th Battalion, Militia, Infantry, 100 days, 1864 6th Infantry 6th Militia, Infantry, 3 months, 1861 |
| 1488529 | DGS 8327629 | 77 | 6th Infantry, 100 days, 1864 7th Infantry 8th Infantry 8th Infantry, 3 months, 1861 8th Militia, Infantry 9th-11th Infantry |
| 1488530 | DGS 8327630 | 78 | 12th Infantry 13th Infantry 15th-19th Infantry |
| 1488531 | DGS 8327631 | 79 | 20th-25th Infantry |
| 1488532 | DGS 8327632 | 80 | 26th-31st Infantry |
| 1488533 | DGS 8327633 | 81 | 32nd-39th Infantry |
| 1488534 | DGS 8327634 | 82 | 40th Infantry 42nd Infantry 42nd Infantry, 100 days, 1864 43rd-53rd Militia, Infantry 56th-62nd Infantry 1st-13th Unattached Co., Militia Infantry, 90 days, 1864 15th Unattached Co., 100 days, 1864-27th Unattached Co., Militia Infantry, 1 year, 1864-1865 Boston Cadet Co., Militia, Infantry Salem Cadets, Militia, Infantry |
| 1488534 | DGS 8327634 | 82 | Capt. Staten's Co., Volunteers, Infantry, 6 months, 1862 |
Related National Archives Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
- Carded Medical Records of Volunteer Soldiers in the Mexican and Civil Wars, 1846–1865 NAID 655646
- Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, 1890–1912 (Union) NAID 300398
- Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, 1861–1867 NAID 577134
- War Department. The Adjutant General's Office. New England Soldiers Relief Association. Casualty Sheets of Wounded NAID 1226194
- War Department. The Adjutant General's Office. New England Soldiers Relief Association. Correspondence, 1862–1865 NAID 1253342
Related Articles -Archivist's Perspective: Civil War Records
- Michael P. Musick. Civil War Records: An Introduction and Invitation. Prologue Quarterly of the National Archives 27 #2 (Summer 1995): 145-150
- Michael P. Musick. "The Little Regiment. Civil War Units and Commands". Prologue Quarterly of the National Archives 27 #2 (Summer 1995):151-171
- Michael P. Musick. Honorable Reports. Battles, Campaigns, and Skirmishes - Civil War Records and Research Prologue Quarterly of the National Archives 27 #3 (Fall 1995): 259-277
- Michael P. Musick. War in an Age of Wonders Civil War Arms and EquipmentPrologue Quarterly of the National Archives 27 #4 (Winter 1995): 348-368
Related FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]
- Massachusetts, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War. 8 Vols. Norwood, Massachusetts : Norwood Press, 1931-1935. FS Library book 974.4 M2ma
- 1861-1865 Descriptive lists of Massachusetts volunteers in the U.S. Navy, 1861-186 5 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Returns of municipal bounties, 1863-1864 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Regiment lists of mustering-outs, 1861-1865 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Muster rolls of Massachusetts volunteers, 1861-1865 (unless otherwise in dicated) Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Muster rolls and payrolls of the Massachusetts militia, 1812-1815 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Military records, 1862-1866, 1904 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Elective rolls of Massachusetts volunteers, 1863-1865 Massachusetts Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Descriptive rolls of Massachusetts volunteers, 1863-1865 Massachusetts Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Descriptive lists of recruits for Massachusetts volunteers, 1863-1864 Massachusetts. Adjutant General at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1817-1915 Massachusetts military records,1817-1915 Massachusetts Adjutant General. National Guard Supply Depot Natick at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1870 Military agency incoming correspondence (State Military Agent) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Official Army register of the volunteer force of the United States Army for the years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65 8 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office (United States), 1865-1867. pt. 1. New England states
- 1861-1865 Official battle lists of the Civil War, 1861-1865, NARA M823 United States War Department. at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Town Clerk - Record of the Names of Soldiers and Sailors
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Alford Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Attleborough Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Beverly Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navyChelsea Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Dana Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1863 Record of service in the army and navy Dighton Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Enfield Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Gloucester Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Greenfield Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Greenwich Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Hanson Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Hanover Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Hingham Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Hubbardston Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Longmeadow Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Mattapoisett at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Oakham Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Pelham Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Pembroke Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Rehoboth Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Scituate Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navyShirley Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Shrewsbury Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Springfield Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Stow Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Westborough Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Mount Washington Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1861-1865 Record of service in the army and navy Unknown Town Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog - images
FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]
- United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
- United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
- United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890
- United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903
- United States Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1949
FamilySearch Digital Library[edit | edit source]
- A List of the soldiers, sailors and marines of the Civil War : surviving and residents in Massachusetts on April 1, 1915. FamilySearch Digital Library
- Higginson, Thomas Wentworth. Massachusetts in the army and navy during the war of 1861-65 2 vols. Boston, Massachusetts : Wright & Potter, 1895-1896 FS Library book 974.4 M2ht
- Nason, George W. History and complete roster of the Massachusetts regiments : minute men of '61 who responded to the first call of President Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861, to defend the flag and Constitution of the United States together with photographs and biographical sketches of minute men of Massachusetts. Boston, Massachusetts : Smith & McCance, 1910, c1904. FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1861-1866 War Department. Office of the Chief of Staff. Bibliography of State Participation in the Civil War, 1861-1866 Washington: Government Printing Office, 1913 FamilySearch Digital Library