Pennsylvania Military Records: Difference between revisions

The [[United States Military Records|''United States Military Records'']] page provides more information on federal military records and search strategies. Many military records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives.  

Many volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives (see [[Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pennsylvania Genealogy]]) contain transcripts of military records, such as rosters and muster rolls. The appropriate volumes and series are referred to below.  

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_Barracks Carlisle Barracks] -- Textual records of this fort, 1829-1879, 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://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=military+%22Fort+Venango%22+Pennsylvania&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&psj=1&fp=e289bde6c5cb5d6a Fort Venango]<br>

*The earliest documents appear to be ''Records of 17th Century Soldiers in New Sweden: 1637-1655 ''(microfilm of originals at the Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury, New Jersey; {{FHL|322984|item|disp=FHL film 1510234 item 4}}. It contains mainly lists of soldiers and is written in German and Swedish.

*"Register of the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America" published in 1907 ([http://books.google.com/books?id=DWUUAAAAYAAJ Google Books]) ([http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Register+Pennsylvania+Society+Colonial+Dames Worldcat]) - lists women who are members of the society and a description of the ancestors military or political service.

[[Image:220px-Valley Forge cabin.jpg|thumb|right|220x210px]] A man born between 1730 and 1765 who lived in Pennsylvania is probably listed in some form of military record. If he supported the Revolution, he may be mentioned in records as a rebel, patriot, or Whig. Those who opposed the Revolution were called Loyalists or Tories. Read more in the [[Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War]] article.<br>  

For information about the federal soldiers from Pennsylvania (the Pennsylvania Line), see John B. B. Trussell, Jr., ''The Pennsylvania Line, Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776-1783'' (Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977; {{FHL|387401|item|disp=FHL book 974.8 M2tp}}.

The War of 1812 between Britain and the United States confirmed the separate existence of the United States and the future Canada.<br><br>See the Wiki article, [[Pennsylvania in the War of 1812|Pennsylvania in the War of 1812]], for information concerning military records, histories, links to relevant web sites, etc. for Pennsylvania.<br>  

There are helpful nationwide records for soldiers of the War of 1812. For more information, see [[United States in the War of 1812|United States in the War of 1812]]''.''  

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>  

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]]. <br>  

[[Image:{{Template:Gettysburg1863}}]]  

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. <br><br>

*Pennsylvania State Archives. [http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp Pennsylvania National Guard Veterans' Card File, 1867-1921.] Arranged alphabetically by surname of veteran. Names generally read from left to right: Last, Middle, First. Consists of 4" x 6" cards originally maintained by the Office of the Adjutant General. Data generally shown about each veteran includes name, rank, age, physical description (height, complexion, hair and eye color), occupation and residence; the date and place of enlistment; the date and reason for discharge; and the unit (company and regiment) to which assigned. Information about federal service rendered by the veteran and the date of death or first appearance in the military records also routinely appears.

:*[http://www.carnegiecarnegie.org/espycollectionmanuscripts.html Personal War Sketck Questionnaires]

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.  

Click on the link to learn more about the [[Spanish-American War, 1898|Spanish American War]].  

Service Records:  

*Pennsylvania. Department of Military Affairs State Veteran's Compensation Division. ''Spanish American War Veteran's Compensation File.'' {{FHL|19436|item|disp=FHL film 1032848}} ([http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2392 Ancestry]) ($) - includes veterans of the China Relief Expedition and the occupation of the Philippines or Guam from 1898 to 1902.

*Pennsylvania State Archives. [http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp ''Mexican Border Campaign Veterans' Card File.''] These cards, bearing the title "Mexican Emergency, Call of President, June 18, 1916," contain the following information about veterans: name and rank, regiment and company, age and place of birth, a physical description (height, complexion, hair and eye color), date of commission or enlistment into service, home station and date of rendezvous, and date of acceptance into United States service. Additional remarks may indicate the date that the soldier's enlistment was to expire and the name and address of a person to be contacted in case of an emergency. All of the cards also bear a stamp indicating that a Mexican Service Medal was issued to the veteran, along with a corresponding number.

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.  

*Pennsylvania State Archives. [http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp ''World War I Service Medal Application Cards.''] These cards were originally submitted by veterans and their survivors who applied for service medals in accordance with the Act of April 21, 1937 P.L. 331, sections 1 and 2. Information provided about each veteran consists of name and serial number, place of residence at time of entry into service, date and place the veteran entered into service, rank, military unit to which attached, place and date of honorable discharge, and the signature of the applicant. Also present are the initials of the person by whom the remittance was received and of the person acting on behalf of the Adjutant General, and each card is stamped with the date of approval. The reverse side of each card shows the name of the veteran or survivor applying for the medal, and the residence to which the medal was to be mailed.

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.  

[[World War II United States Military Records, 1941 to 1945|World War II United States Military Records]] provides additional information.  

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.  

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.  

*The [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=space&name=CommunityPage&id=5&cached=true&in_hi_userid=2&control=SetCommunity&PageID=259979&CommunityID=1593&&LinkPath=http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/ys/r19ys3.htm#19.136 State Archives] has limited draft and muster records for World War I (not available online).&nbsp; The Family History Library has copies of other files from the State Archives. These include militia files, accounts, claims, and other records created during and between wars.

*The [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=1593&&level=1&menuLevel=Level_1&parentCommID=0&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true Pennsylvania State Archives]&nbsp;(one needs to register to use this site)&nbsp;has digitized a number of [http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp military records]&nbsp;(does not need to register to access the military records)

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