Washington Military Records: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m (Centered)
(108 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{WA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
[[Image:Fort Vancouver, Washington reconstruction.jpg|thumb|right|320x210px|<center>Fort Vancouver, Washington, Reconstruction]]  
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Military Records|U.S. Military Records]]
| link3=[[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Washington Military Records|Military Records]]
}}


==Online Resources==
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Military Records|U.S. Military]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington|Washington]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington_Military_Records|Military Records]]''  
*''See [[United States Military Online Genealogy Records]] for more resources.''
*'''1855-1950''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=62272 Washington, U.S., Military Records ] at Ancestry; images ($)
*'''1862''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/513 Washington Territory First Infantry Regiment Clothing Book, 1862] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1885-1907''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/476 Military Department, National Guard Enlistment Register, 1885-1907] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1891-1945''' {{RecordSearch|2143178|Washington, Soldier Home Records, 1891-1945}} at FamilySearch - [[Washington, Soldier Home Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index and images
*'''1891-1987''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/487 Veterans Affairs, Department of, Orting Soldiers Home, Member Files, 1891-1987] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1910-1977''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/465 Veterans Affairs, Department of, Retsil Veterans Home, Member Files, 1910-1977] at Washington State Archives - index & images


'''Indian Wars'''<br>
The [[United States Military Records|U.S. Military Records]] Wiki article provides more information on federal military records and search strategies.
*'''1855-1856''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/495 Military Department, Indian War Muster Rolls, 1855-1856] at Washington State Archives - index & images<br><br>


'''World War I'''<br>
Many of the federal military records you'll want to use are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The [[United States|United States]] Wiki article provides more information regarding the federal records. For Washington, the following sources are also very helpful:  
*'''1917-1919''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/640 Veterans Affairs, Department of, World War I Service Statement Cards, 1917-1919] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1917-1919''' {{RecordSearch|2996059|United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index
*'''1921-1925''' {{RecordSearch|1878898|Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925}} at FamilySearch  - [[Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index
*[https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/458 Soldiers of the Great War Casualty List] at Washington State Archives - index and some images of the soldier<br><br>


'''World War II'''<br>
=== Forts  ===
*'''1940-1947''' {{RecordSearch|2850193|Washington, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1942-1946''' [http://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/486 Public Welfare/Social Security Department, Evacuee (Japanese) Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946] at Washington State Archives - index & images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946<br><br>


'''Korean War'''<br>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bellingham Fort Bellingham] 1856-60
*'''1955-1960''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1083 Veterans Affairs, Department of, Korean War Era Veterans Bonus Claims, 1955-1960] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/military/korean-war/casualty-lists/wa-alpha.pdf Korean Conflict State-Level Casualty Lists - Washington]<br><br>


'''Vietnam War'''<br>
[http://www.colville.wa.us/history.htm Fort Colville] 1859
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/casualty-lists/wa-alpha.pdf U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War for Home-State-of-Record: Washington]<br><br>


== Forts  ==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Nisqually Fort Nisqually]  
{| style="float:right; margin-right:50px"
|-
| style="padding-right:0px"|
|[[Image:Fort Columbia buildings.jpg|right|350px]]
|}
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bellingham Fort Bellingham] 1856-60
*[http://www.colville.wa.us/history.htm Fort Colville] 1859
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Nisqually Fort Nisqually]  
*[http://www.nps.gov/sajh/index.htm Camp San Juan Island] -- Textual records of this post, 1859-1875, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Simcoe Fort Simcoe] 1865-1859
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Slaughter]--1855-1857
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Spokane]: Miles Washington built in 1812 by Pacific Fur Company, later used by the U.S. Army. Textual records of this fort, 1879-1899, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Steilacoom] 1849 -- Textual records of this fort, 1849-1868, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Taylor]
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Townsend] 1856 -- Textual records of this fort, 1865-1895, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Vancouver] 1849 -- Textual records of this fort (also known as Vancouver Barracks), 1852-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
*[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Walla Walla] -- Textual records of this fort, 1856-1911, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).


'''References'''
[http://northwestjournalonline.com/index.php/washington-national-parks Camp San Juan Island] -- Textual records of this post, 1859-1875, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).


''Encyclopedia of Indian Wars Western Battles and Skirmishes, 1850-1890''. By Gregory F. Michno. Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, Mt. C 2003 ISBN 0-87842-468-7
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Simcoe Fort Simcoe] 1865-1859


== Mexican War (1846-1848)  ==
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Slaughter]--1855-1857


The Mexican War was caused by the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845. Most volunteer regiments were from southern states. Records of Mexican War veterans might exist in a state where the veteran later resided. <br>
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Spokane]: Miles Washington built in 1812 by Pacific Fur Company, later used by the U.S. Army. Textual records of this fort, 1879-1899, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).  


*{{FSC|172771|item|disp=''Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1887–1926''. (NARA T317)}}. {{FSC|0537000|film|disp=FS Library films 0537000–13}} Alphabetically arranged and includes the veteran’s name, rank, and unit; names of dependents; date of filing and application; certificate numbers; act filed under; and state from which application was made. Also available at:<br>
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Steilacoom] 1849 -- Textual records of this fort, 1849-1868, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).  


:*'''1887-1926''' {{RecordSearch|1979390|United States, Mexican War Pension Index, 1887-1926}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Index to Mexican War Pension Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to use this collection.]]; Free digital copy.<br>
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Taylor]  


*Robarts, William Hugh. ''Mexican War Veterans : A Complete Roster of the Regular and Volunteer Troops in the War Between the United States and Mexico, from 1846-1848…'' Washington, D.C. : Brentano’s, 1887. {{FSC|1854496|item|disp=FS Catalog book 973 M2rwh}} Digital version available at [http://archive.org/details/mexicanwarvetera00roba Internet Archive].<br>
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Townsend] 1856 -- Textual records of this fort, 1865-1895, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).  


Click on these links to learn more about the [[Mexican War, 1846 to 1848|Mexican War]] and about [[US Mexican War Pension Records|Mexican War pension records]].  
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fort Vancouver] 1849 -- Textual records of this fort (also known as Vancouver Barracks), 1852-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).  


== Civil War (1861 to 1865) ==
[http://themossback.tripod.com/forts/forts2.htm Fprt Walla Walla] -- Textual records of this fort, 1856-1911, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).


[[Image:{{Fort_Vancouver,_Washington|<center>Fort Vancouver, Washington reconstruction</center>}}]] See [[Washington in the Civil War|Washington in the Civil War]] for information about Washington Civil War records, websites, etc. with links to articles about the Washington regiments involved in the Civil War.
'''References'''


The regimental pages often include lists of the companies with links to the counties where the companies started. Men in the companies often lived in the counties where the companies were raised. Knowing a county can help when researching more about the soldiers and their families.  
''Encyclopedia of Indian Wars Western Battles and Skirmishes, 1850-1890''. By Gregory F. Michno. Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, Mt. C 2003 ISBN 0-87842-468-7


The [https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System] allows name searching for soldiers. The result set gives the regiments for the soldiers. Then you can check the Wiki regiment pages to determine counties. Often knowing the counties that had men in a regiment will help you determine if a soldier was your ancestor.
=== Civil War (1861 to 1865)  ===


The FamilySearch Catalog list records of the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Btitle%3AWashington%20%2Btitle%3AGrand%20%2Btitle%3AArmy%20%2Btitle%3Aof%20%2Btitle%3Athe%20%2Btitle%3ARepublic Washington Grand Army of the Republic].
[[Image:{{Fort_Vancouver,_Washington}}]] See [[Washington in the Civil War|Washington in the Civil War]] for information about Washington Civil War records, web sites, etc. with links to articles about the Washington regiments involved in the Civil War.  


== Indian Wars (1780s-1890s)  ==
The regimental pages often include lists of the companies with links to the counties where the companies started. Men in the companies often lived in the counties where the companies were raised. Knowing a county can help when researching more about the soldiers and their families.


*Muster rolls are available at the [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:6 Washington State Archives.] The [http://www.archives.gov/index.html National Archives] and the FamilySearch Library have the enlistment registers of soldiers who served in the regular army from 1798 to 1914. Many of these soldiers served in the western states, including Washington, during the Indian Wars. The enlistment registers provide the soldier's rank, unit, commanders, physical description, occupation, and birth place. The records are arranged by year and by the first letter of the surname.
The [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/ Civil War Soldiers and Sailors&nbsp;System] allows name searching for soldiers. The result set gives the regiments for the soldiers. Then you can check the Wiki regiment pages to determine counties. Often knowing the counties that had men in a regiment will help you determine if a soldier was your ancestor.  


:*United States Army, ''Registers of Enlistments in the United States Army, 1798-1914'' {{FSC|43696|item|disp=FS Library films350307 (first of 81}}. Also available online at {{RecordSearch|1880762|Family Search Historical Records}}
=== Indian Wars (1780s-1890s)  ===


*The FamilySearch Library and the [http://www.archives.gov/index.html National Archives] have an index to soldiers who applied for pensions as a result of service in the Indian Wars from 1817 to 1898. The actual pension records are only available at the National Archives.
Muster rolls are available at the Washington State Archives. The National Archives and the Family History Library have the enlistment registers of soldiers who served in the regular army from 1798 to 1914 (81 Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|43696|title-id|disp=350307}}). Many of these soldiers served in the western states, including Washington, during the Indian Wars. The enlistment registers provide the soldier's rank, unit, commanders, physical description, occupation, and birth place. The records are arranged by year and by the first letter of the surname.  


:*United States, Veterans Administration, ''Pension Index Files, Indian Wars, 1892-1926'' (Washington, D.C.:Veteran's Administration, 1959) {{FSC|98739|item|disp=FS Library film 821610-21}} Also available online at {{RecordSearch|1979427|United States, Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926}}
The Family History Library and the National Archives have an index to soldiers who applied for pensions as a result of service in the Indian Wars from 1817 to 1898 (Family History Library films {{FHL|98739|title-id|disp=821610-21}}). The pension records are only available at the National Archives.


== Spanish-American War (1898)  ==
=== World War I (1917-1918)  ===


The Spanish-American War was largely fought in Cuba and the Philippines. Spanish-American War records might exist in the state from which the soldier served or in a state where the veteran later resided.  
*United States. Selective Service System. ''Washington World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918''. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M1509. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1987-1988. (On Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|1991532|film|disp=1991532}}) These cards have been digitized and are searchable online. See [[United States World War I Draft Records|WWII Draft Records]] for more information.


'''Indexes'''
=== World War II (1941-1945)  ===


*'''1861-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1919699|United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, General Index to Pension Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; (NARA T288) Free digital copy. The index covers veterans of the Civil War, '''Spanish‑American War,''' Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion (1900 to 1901), and the regular Army, Navy, and Marine forces. ([[United States, General Index to Pension Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to use this collection.]])
<br>


*'''1898''' {{RecordSearch|1919583|United States, Index to Service Records, War with Spain, 1898}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Index to Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers in the War with Spain - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to use this collection.]]; Free digital copy.
=== Additional Military Records ===


Click on the link to learn more about the [[Spanish-American War, 1898|Spanish American War]].
Histories and rosters of soldiers of the Washington Militia and National Guard who served in the Indian Wars of the 1850s to the post-World War II era are in:


== World War I (1917-1918) ==
Field, Virgil F. ''Washington National Guard Pamphlet: The Official History of the Washington National Guard'', Seven Volumes in three. Tacoma, Washington: Office of the Adjutant General, 1961. (Family History Library book 979.7 M25w; film {{FHL|1321447|film|disp=1321447}} item 1-3 vols. 1-7.)  


World War I was a global war fought on multiple continents with several nations involved. Over four million men and women served from the United States.
The Washington State Archives has other helpful records, including:


''' Washington State Archives '''
*Records of residents of the State Soldiers Home and State Veterans Home up to the mid-1930s.
*[https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/search_results.aspx?q=world+war+I&region= World War I Bonus Index, 1921]
*Applications and supporting papers submitted by Washington veterans of World Wars I and II for a state bonus. These often include information about the soldier's residence, occupation, relatives, age, place of birth, and enlistment.
*[https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/search_results.aspx?q=world+war+I&region= World War I Veterans Bonus Application Files, 1921 -1928]
*National Guard Statements of Service cards for guardsmen who participated in World Wars I and II. These cards list the name of the serviceman, last residence, date and place of enlistment, date and place of birth, years of service, military organization attachment, rank, and engagements.
*[https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/640 World War I Statement of Service Cards Searchable collection]
*[https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/ww1/records2.aspx World War I: Soldiers Remembered Service Records]


''' FamilySearch Historical Record Collections '''
=== Web Sites  ===
*'''1917-1918''' {{RecordSearch|1968530|United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index and images — free


*'''1917-1919''' {{RecordSearch|2513098|United States, YMCA World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, YMCA World War I Service Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index and images
*http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/
*http://www.archives.gov/


*'''1917-1919''' {{RecordSearch|2996059|United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index
=== References  ===


*'''1921-1925''' {{RecordSearch|1878898|Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925}} at FamilySearch - [[Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index
Washington Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.


''' Additional Collections '''
:NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into this Wiki site and is being updated here, as time permits.
*{{FSC|2748722|item|disp=Louis Jacobin, comp and pub. ''With the colors, from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties : an honor roll containing a pictorial record of the gallant and courageous men from northwestern Washington, U.S.A., who served in the world war, 1917-1918-1919.''Seattle, Washington : Peters Pub. Co, 1921}}
 
*[http://spokanegoestowar.net/content/ Spokane Goes to War]
 
*[http://spokanegoestowar.net/content/spokane-veteran-registration-cards/ Spokane War Committee Record Cards]


{{Washington|Washington}} {{State Military Records}}


See [[United States World War I Draft Records|WWI Draft Records]] for more information.
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''


== World War II (1941-1945)  ==
*[[Washington State County Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
 
*[[Washington State, Army National Guard Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
'''Draft Registration'''
 
On 16 September 1940, President Roosevelt signed into law the first peacetime Selective Service Act. During WWII, the Selective Service System conducted '''six draft registrations'''; these records are held collectively in two groupings at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. The registrations are part of Record Group 147 [https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/147.html Records of the Selective Service System.] From December, 1942 to August, 1945 no enlistments were allowed. The  Selective Service became the only way men entered the service for the remainder of the war.
 
*'''1940-1947''' {{RecordSearch|2850193|Washington, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947}} at FamilySearch
 
On April 27, 1942, the Selective Service conducted the fourth of six draft registrations related to WWII. The "World War II Selective Service Draft Cards: Fourth Registration, 1942" is often referred to as the “Old Man’s Registration” or the “Old Man’s Draft" because it included men with a date of birth from April 28, 1877 to February 16, 1897. Since there is overlap in the WWI and WWII Selective Service registration, men born in the years 1877 to 1900 may have registered twice and have both WWII and WWI draft records.
 
*'''1942''' {{RecordSearch|1339071|United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Image Browse)}} at FamilySearch  - [[United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Free
*'''1942''' {{RecordSearch|1861144|United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942}} at FamilySearch  - [[United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Images with partial index - free
 
:Also available at:<br>
 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1002 Ancestry] ($)
*[http://www.fold3.com/title_765/wwii_old_mans_draft_registration_cards Fold3] ($).
 
[[World War II United States Military Records, 1941 to 1945|World War II United States Military Records]] provides additional information.
 
== Korean War (1950–1953)  ==
 
The Korean War was a conflict between North Korea (and its communist allies) and South Korea (with support of the United Nations, primarily the United States). See the [[United States Korean War 1950 to 1953|Korean War ]] wiki article for information on records and their availability.
 
== Vietnam War (1964–1972)  ==
 
The Vietnam War was a conflict between North Vietnam (and its communist allies) and South Vietnam (with support of its anti-communist allies, including the United States). See the [[United States Vietnam War 1964 to 1972|Vietnam War]] wiki article for information on records and their availability.
 
== National Guard ==
*{{FSC|1878899|item|disp=Washington, military enlistment records, 1890-1946}}
*{{FSC|1916274|item|disp=Washington, Army National Guard enlistment records, 1947-1955}}
*Histories and rosters of soldiers of the Washington Militia and National Guard who served in the Indian Wars of the 1850s to the post-World War II era are in:
 
:*Field, Virgil F. ''Washington National Guard Pamphlet: The Official History of the Washington National Guard'', Seven Volumes. (Tacoma, Washington: Office of the Adjutant General, 1961.) [https://mil.wa.gov/national-guard/museum/official-history-of-washington-national-guard Online version].  {{FSC|207821|item|disp=FS Library film 1321447, items 1–3; book 979.7 M25w}}
:*Washington State National Guard [https://mil.wa.gov/evergreen-magazine Evergreen Magazine] covering activities of the guard from 1971-current.
* Washington National Guard "the Arsenal Museum", Camp Murray
 
== Additional Military Records  ==
 
*The [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:6 Washington State Archives] has other helpful records, including:
 
:*Records of residents of the State Soldiers Home and State Veterans Home up to the mid-1930s.
:*Applications and supporting papers submitted by Washington veterans of World Wars I and II for a state bonus. These often include information about the soldier's residence, occupation, relatives, age, place of birth, and enlistment.
:*National Guard Statements of Service cards for guardsmen who participated in World Wars I and II. These cards list the name of the serviceman, last residence, date and place of enlistment, date and place of birth, years of service, military organization attachment, rank, and engagements.
 
== Websites  ==
 
*[http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/ Washington State Archives]  
*[http://www.archives.gov/ National Archives]
 
== Record Content  ==
 
{{Washington|Washington}} {{State Military Records}}


[[Category:Washington Military Records]]
[[Category:Washington|Military]]

Revision as of 15:59, 18 April 2012

Fort Vancouver, Washington, Reconstruction

United States Gotoarrow.png U.S. Military Gotoarrow.png Washington Gotoarrow.png Military Records

The U.S. Military Records Wiki article provides more information on federal military records and search strategies.

Many of the federal military records you'll want to use are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Wiki article provides more information regarding the federal records. For Washington, the following sources are also very helpful:

Forts[edit | edit source]

Fort Bellingham 1856-60

Fort Colville 1859

Fort Nisqually

Camp San Juan Island -- Textual records of this post, 1859-1875, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

Fort Simcoe 1865-1859

Fort Slaughter--1855-1857

Fort Spokane: Miles Washington built in 1812 by Pacific Fur Company, later used by the U.S. Army. Textual records of this fort, 1879-1899, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

Fort Steilacoom 1849 -- Textual records of this fort, 1849-1868, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

Fort Taylor

Fort Townsend 1856 -- Textual records of this fort, 1865-1895, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

Fort Vancouver 1849 -- Textual records of this fort (also known as Vancouver Barracks), 1852-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

Fprt Walla Walla -- Textual records of this fort, 1856-1911, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

References

Encyclopedia of Indian Wars Western Battles and Skirmishes, 1850-1890. By Gregory F. Michno. Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, Mt. C 2003 ISBN 0-87842-468-7

Civil War (1861 to 1865)[edit | edit source]

Fort Vancouver, Clark County, Washington (reconstructed) 1849 to 1866

See Washington in the Civil War for information about Washington Civil War records, web sites, etc. with links to articles about the Washington regiments involved in the Civil War.

The regimental pages often include lists of the companies with links to the counties where the companies started. Men in the companies often lived in the counties where the companies were raised. Knowing a county can help when researching more about the soldiers and their families.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System allows name searching for soldiers. The result set gives the regiments for the soldiers. Then you can check the Wiki regiment pages to determine counties. Often knowing the counties that had men in a regiment will help you determine if a soldier was your ancestor.

Indian Wars (1780s-1890s)[edit | edit source]

Muster rolls are available at the Washington State Archives. The National Archives and the Family History Library have the enlistment registers of soldiers who served in the regular army from 1798 to 1914 (81 Family History Library films beginning with 350307). Many of these soldiers served in the western states, including Washington, during the Indian Wars. The enlistment registers provide the soldier's rank, unit, commanders, physical description, occupation, and birth place. The records are arranged by year and by the first letter of the surname.

The Family History Library and the National Archives have an index to soldiers who applied for pensions as a result of service in the Indian Wars from 1817 to 1898 (Family History Library films 821610-21). The pension records are only available at the National Archives.

World War I (1917-1918)[edit | edit source]

  • United States. Selective Service System. Washington World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M1509. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1987-1988. (On Family History Library films beginning with 1991532) These cards have been digitized and are searchable online. See WWII Draft Records for more information.

World War II (1941-1945)[edit | edit source]


Additional Military Records[edit | edit source]

Histories and rosters of soldiers of the Washington Militia and National Guard who served in the Indian Wars of the 1850s to the post-World War II era are in:

Field, Virgil F. Washington National Guard Pamphlet: The Official History of the Washington National Guard, Seven Volumes in three. Tacoma, Washington: Office of the Adjutant General, 1961. (Family History Library book 979.7 M25w; film 1321447 item 1-3 vols. 1-7.)

The Washington State Archives has other helpful records, including:

  • Records of residents of the State Soldiers Home and State Veterans Home up to the mid-1930s.
  • Applications and supporting papers submitted by Washington veterans of World Wars I and II for a state bonus. These often include information about the soldier's residence, occupation, relatives, age, place of birth, and enlistment.
  • National Guard Statements of Service cards for guardsmen who participated in World Wars I and II. These cards list the name of the serviceman, last residence, date and place of enlistment, date and place of birth, years of service, military organization attachment, rank, and engagements.

Web Sites[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Washington Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.

NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into this Wiki site and is being updated here, as time permits.
v • d• e
Links to Washington-related articles
Topics
Counties
Extinct Co.
Major
 Repositories
Early Paths
v • d• e
State Military Records
United States flag.png Federal Military Records United States flag.png


Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Washington_Military_Records&oldid=968088"