73,385
edits
US Military Basic Search Strategies: Difference between revisions
replace locality/outline/section
(add links) |
(replace locality/outline/section) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
''[[United States|United States ]] > [[United States Military Records|Military Records ]] > [[ | ''[[United States|United States ]] > [[United States Military Records|Military Records ]] > [[US_Military_Basic_Search_Strategies|Basic Search Strategies]]'' | ||
== Step 1. Identify an Ancestor You Wish to Find in Military Records == | == Step 1. Identify an Ancestor You Wish to Find in Military Records == | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
The major wars of the colonial period are: | The major wars of the colonial period are: | ||
*[[ | *[[King William-s War, 1689-1697|King William’s War (War of the League of Augsburg), 1689 to 1697]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Queen Anne's War 1702 to 1713|Queen Anne’s War (War of the Spanish Succession), 1702 to 1713]] | ||
*[[ | *[[King George-s War, 1744-1748|King George’s War (War of Austrian Succession), 1744 to 1748]] | ||
*[[ | *[[French and Indian War, 1754-1763|French and Indian (Seven Years) War, 1754 to 1763]] | ||
The major wars of the national period are: | The major wars of the national period are: | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
*'''''War.''''' It is important to know when an ancestor served in the military. First determine the war or time period in which he may have served. Remember that during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Americans served on opposite sides of the conflicts. | *'''''War.''''' It is important to know when an ancestor served in the military. First determine the war or time period in which he may have served. Remember that during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Americans served on opposite sides of the conflicts. | ||
*'''''State.''''' Your ancestor may have served in a local, state, or federal unit. You can best search military records if you know at least the state where he was living when he was of age to serve in the military. | *'''''State.''''' Your ancestor may have served in a local, state, or federal unit. You can best search military records if you know at least the state where he was living when he was of age to serve in the military. | ||
*'''''Branch of service and rank.''''' It is helpful to know the branch of service ([[U.S. | *'''''Branch of service and rank.''''' It is helpful to know the branch of service ([[U.S. Army|Army]], [[U.S. Navy|Navy]], [[U.S. Marine Corps|Marines]], Air Force, Coast Guard) he may have served in and whether he was an officer or an enlisted man. | ||
*'''''Regiment.''''' Many service records are arranged by the military unit, such as regiment. Regiments and companies were often composed of people from the same community or county. Knowing the regiment can sometimes help you determine where an individual was from. | *'''''Regiment.''''' Many service records are arranged by the military unit, such as regiment. Regiments and companies were often composed of people from the same community or county. Knowing the regiment can sometimes help you determine where an individual was from. | ||
In most cases, you can learn the unit from sources at the Family History Library, such as service and pension indexes, regimental or unit histories, county histories, or tombstone inscriptions. Home sources, such as photographs, discharge papers, pension records, or records of membership in a veteran organization, may also provide clues. | In most cases, you can learn the unit from sources at the Family History Library, such as service and pension indexes, regimental or unit histories, county histories, or tombstone inscriptions. Home sources, such as photographs, discharge papers, pension records, or records of membership in a veteran organization, may also provide clues. | ||
== Step 2. Decide What You Want to Learn == | == Step 2. Decide What You Want to Learn == | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
See [[US Military Types of Military Records|Types of Military Records]] to learn about the various military records used for family history research. The [[US Military Records Selection Table|Records Selection Table]] can also help you decide which records to search. | See [[US Military Types of Military Records|Types of Military Records]] to learn about the various military records used for family history research. The [[US Military Records Selection Table|Records Selection Table]] can also help you decide which records to search. | ||
== Step 4. Find and Search the Record | == Step 4. Find and Search the Record == | ||
This | This step describes the major archives that have U.S. military records. When one of these institutions is referred to elsewhere in this set of Wiki pages, return to this step for the address. | ||
If you plan to visit one of these archives, contact them and ask for information about their collections, restrictions, hours, services, and fees. | If you plan to visit one of these archives, contact them and ask for information about their collections, restrictions, hours, services, and fees. | ||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
*Veterans’ pension files and claims, 1775 to 1916 (except for Confederates), and bounty land files, 1775 to 1855 | *Veterans’ pension files and claims, 1775 to 1916 (except for Confederates), and bounty land files, 1775 to 1855 | ||
Many of the records discussed in this | Many of the records discussed in this set of Wiki pages are from the National Archives. Several major indexes and some collections are on microfilm and available for use at the National Archives regional centers and at other research libraries. Those available on microfilm are referred to by their title and publication number (“M” or “T” series number). Most of the original military records have not been microfilmed, however, and are available only at the National Archives. Those not on film are sometimes referred to in this set of Wiki pages by the record group number in which they are located. Record groups contain the records of a bureau, agency, or department of the federal government. | ||
The National Archives does not perform research for patrons. When exact identifying information is given, the Archives can furnish photocopies of records for a fee. You can obtain photocopies of compiled service records, pension application files, and bounty land warrant application files by using NATF form 80, “National Archives Order for Copies of Veteran Records,” available from the National Archives. The address is: | The National Archives does not perform research for patrons. When exact identifying information is given, the Archives can furnish photocopies of records for a fee. You can obtain photocopies of compiled service records, pension application files, and bounty land warrant application files by using NATF form 80, “National Archives Order for Copies of Veteran Records,” available from the National Archives. The address is: | ||
:General Reference Branch (NNRG) <br> | :General Reference Branch (NNRG) <br> | ||
:National Archives and Records Administration <br> | :National Archives and Records Administration <br> | ||
:8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. <br> | :8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. <br> | ||
:Washington, D.C. 20408 <br> | :Washington, D.C. 20408 <br> | ||
:Telephone: 202-501-5400 <br> | :Telephone: 202-501-5400 <br> | ||
:Internet: http://www.nara.gov | :Internet: http://www.nara.gov | ||
| Line 125: | Line 125: | ||
:Records Reconstruction Branch <br>:Telephone: 314-538-4261 | :Records Reconstruction Branch <br>:Telephone: 314-538-4261 | ||
'''''State and Local Archives.''''' State archives, state adjutant general’s offices, historical societies, courthouses, and libraries may have records of citizens who served in militia and National Guard units. See the state | '''''State and Local Archives.''''' State archives, state adjutant general’s offices, historical societies, courthouses, and libraries may have records of citizens who served in militia and National Guard units. See the state Wiki pages for more information. The following book contains addresses of state adjutant general offices: | ||
*Johnson, Richard S. ''How to Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military. 7th ed''. Ft. Sam Houston, Tex.: Military Information Enterprises, 1996. (FHL book 973 M27j 1996.) Discusses various methods and addresses to locate and contact present and former members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Reserve. | *Johnson, Richard S. ''How to Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military. 7th ed''. Ft. Sam Houston, Tex.: Military Information Enterprises, 1996. (FHL book 973 M27j 1996.) Discusses various methods and addresses to locate and contact present and former members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Reserve. | ||
[[Category:United_States_Military|United_States_Military]] | [[Category:United_States_Military|United_States_Military]] | ||