73,385
edits
US Military Basic Search Strategies (view source)
Revision as of 13:14, 1 August 2009
, 1 August 2009fix link
(add category) |
(fix link) |
||
| Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. These Wiki pages can help you evaluate which specific military record would be most helpful. If you know the unit, it is usually best to begin with pension files, since they usually have the most information on the soldier’s family. If you do not know your ancestor’s military unit, you may need to first identify the ancestor in service records. | Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. These Wiki pages can help you evaluate which specific military record would be most helpful. If you know the unit, it is usually best to begin with pension files, since they usually have the most information on the soldier’s family. If you do not know your ancestor’s military unit, you may need to first identify the ancestor in service records. | ||
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 | 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 Record Selection Table|Record 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 == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
The [[National Archives and Records Administration|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, “[http://www.archives.gov/forms/ National Archives Order for Copies of Veteran Records],” available from the National Archives. The address is: | The [[National Archives and Records Administration|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, “[http://www.archives.gov/forms/ 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 97: | Line 97: | ||
'''''Army Military History Institute.''''' The institute is the central repository of Army historical source material. It has 240,000 books (including unit histories), 780,000 photographs, five million manuscripts, and other personal items such as letters and diaries. The archivists provide reference help concerning military units (not individual soldiers), and they have published a number of bibliographies of holdings. The address is: | '''''Army Military History Institute.''''' The institute is the central repository of Army historical source material. It has 240,000 books (including unit histories), 780,000 photographs, five million manuscripts, and other personal items such as letters and diaries. The archivists provide reference help concerning military units (not individual soldiers), and they have published a number of bibliographies of holdings. The address is: | ||
:U.S. Army Military History Institute <br> | :U.S. Army Military History Institute <br> | ||
:Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5008 <br> | :Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5008 <br> | ||
:Telephone: 717-245-3611 <br> | :Telephone: 717-245-3611 <br> | ||
:Internet: http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi <br> | :Internet: http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi <br> | ||
'''''National Personnel Records Center.''''' Federal military records for twentieth century service that are not available at the National Archives may be located at the National Personnel Records Center. The address is: | '''''National Personnel Records Center.''''' Federal military records for twentieth century service that are not available at the National Archives may be located at the National Personnel Records Center. The address is: | ||
:National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records) <br> | :National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records) <br> | ||
:9700 Page Boulevard <br> | :9700 Page Boulevard <br> | ||
:St. Louis, MO 63132 | :St. Louis, MO 63132 | ||
:Army Reference Branch <br> | :Army Reference Branch <br> | ||
:Telephone: 314-538-4261 <br>Air Force Reference Branch <br>Telephone: 314-538-4243 | :Telephone: 314-538-4261 <br>Air Force Reference Branch <br>Telephone: 314-538-4243 | ||
:Navy Reference Branch (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard) <br> | :Navy Reference Branch (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard) <br> | ||
:Telephone: 314-538-4141 | :Telephone: 314-538-4141 | ||
| Line 130: | Line 130: | ||
In 1973, a fire destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army officers and enlisted men discharged from 1912 to 1959. About 75 percent of the records of the Air Force from 1947 to 1963 (surnames Hubbard through Z) were destroyed. For more information on the available records contact: | In 1973, a fire destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army officers and enlisted men discharged from 1912 to 1959. About 75 percent of the records of the Air Force from 1947 to 1963 (surnames Hubbard through Z) were destroyed. For more information on the available records contact: | ||
:Records Reconstruction Branch <br> | :Records Reconstruction Branch <br> | ||
:Telephone: 314-538-4261 | :Telephone: 314-538-4261 | ||