United States, Union Provost Marshal's File of Papers Relating to Civilians - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

| RW_URL_06 = [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75302268 List of Scouts, Guides, Spies, and Railroad Personnel, RG 110 NARA]

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== What is in This Collection?  ==

This article describes multiple collections covering the years 1861 through 1866.  

The collection "United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Individual Civilians, 1861-1866" consists of images of records from the United States Provost Marshal during the Civil War. [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10461614 '''The Provost Marshal'''] served as military police for the Union Army. Records in this collection deal with deserters, Confederate spies, civilians suspected of disloyalty, civilian passage through military zones,'''[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/African_American_Contraband_Records contraband slaves,] etc.'''  The records are in Record Group 109 located in the National Archives. This collection corresponds to NARA publication M345: Union Provost Marshals’ File of Papers Relating to Individual Civilians and Union Provost Marshal's File of Papers relating to Two or More Civilians NARA publication M416.   

The collection was digitized from microfilm and is arranged alphabetically by the first two or three letters of the surname. It consists of correspondence, provost court papers, lists of transportation permits, claims for compensation for property used or destroyed by military forces, affidavits, oaths of loyalty and other lists.  

=== Image Visibility ===

{{Image Visibility}}

=== To Browse This Collection ===

{{Collection_Browse_Link

|CID=CID1834304

|title=United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Individual Civilians, 1861-1866

}}  

The collection "United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866" consists of mages of records from the United States Provost Marshal during the Civil War. The Provost Marshal served as military police for the Union army. Records in this collection would deal with deserters, Confederate spies, civilains suspected of disloyality, civilians passage through military zones, etc. These files (for two or more citizens) are arranged by file number and date.This is National Archive publication M416.

=== To Browse This Collection ===

{{Collection_Browse_Link

|CID=CID1845948

|title=United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866

}}<br>

{{HR Tip|This collection contains searchable content in the NARA Catalog.  They can be accessed by clicking on the National Archives identifier in the Record Description.  Once inside the Catalog, click on the "Search Within This Series".}}

== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==

The following information may be found in these records:

'''Provost Marshal's file'''

*Name of civilian  

*Legal findings  

*Resolution of matter

== Collection Content ==

=== Sample Images ===

Image:Union Provost Marshal's File of Papers Relating to Individual Civilians Example 6 DGS 4599818 890.jpg|Example 6

</gallery>  

Although the records were kept by the Union Army, they primarily deal with information about confederate citizens and union citizens who were suspected of supporting the confederate cause. They dealt with a wide range of individuals including those who were suspected of disloyalty or of giving aid to the enemy, who violated military orders, were prisoners, were authorized to travel in or to enter the Confederate states, and others. During the war each division, brigade, and corps of the Union Army had a provost marshal. Be aware that  

*Provost marshals kept records of their activities as the military police  

*Provost courts were established to try civilians who violated military orders as well as military personnel suspected of committing civil crimes

== How Do I Search This Collection?  ==

To begin your search it is helpful to know:  

*The state and county of residence for your ancestor

*The occupation of your ancestor

'''United States Union Provost Marshal Files of Individual Civilians, 1861-1866'''

=== View the Images ===  

View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|1834304|Browse Page|access=browse}}''':

# Select '''Select a Surname Range''' to view the images.

'''United States Union Provost Marshal Files of Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866'''

=== View the Images ===

View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|1845948|Browse Page|access=browse}}''':

# Select '''Document Type'''

# Select '''Record Number/Date/Prison''' to view the images.

{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1845948 United States Union Provost Marshal Files of Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}

=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===  

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images.  Keep track of your research in a [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log | research log]].

== What Do I Do Next? ==

=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===

*Use the residence or locality listed to find the family in census records

:Film numbers F1580-F1662 indicate that the file is located in "United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866"

:All other film numbers designate United States Union Provost Marshal Files of "United States, Union Provost Marshal Files of Individual Civilians, 1861-1866."

=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===

*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names

*Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records. For example an index to Missourians in the collections is available at  

:[http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/provost/ Index for Missourians in the Provost Marshal's Records]. The dates listed in this index will help you more readily locate the files

=== Research Helps ===

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in [[United States Genealogy|the United States]].

* [[United States Record Finder]]

* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]

== Citing This Collection ==

Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information.