Military Records http://ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2984.asp

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Military Recordshttp//ancestry.com/library/view/
ancmag/2984.asp
Bovington Camp England
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• Holman Salway in England

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Jens Hansen From Denmark. Notice the Medal.
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John S. Wood
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Clues from photos

• Identify the individual
• Branch of military they were in
• Determine which war they were in
• Watch for other items in the photos such as
  uniform, clothing style, others in photo or
  objects to identify the time period
• Look for patches, medals which could represent
  the rank of the individual
• Any clues could be helpful in finding the
  military records of your ancestors

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What you must know to find a record

• Individuals full name
• Military branch
• Time period
• Where are the records kept for that time period
• Proper request forms
• The military kept excellent records of those who
  served

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American war dates

• Gulf War 1991
• Vietnam War 1965-73
• Korean War 1950-53
• World War II 1941-45
• World War I 1917-18
• Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902
• Spanish-American War 1898
• Civil War 1861-65
• Mexican War 1846-48
• Indian Wars 1780-1800
• War of 1812-15
• Revolutionary War 1775-83

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Records found at

• Prior to the Revolution record found at state
  archived or historical society.
• After the Revolution if a person served in the
  states militia those records are at a state
  level as well
• Useful book U.S. Military Records at the
  libraries
• National Archives

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Types of Records

• Draft and conscription
• Enlistment and service
• Pension
• National military cemetery
• Bounty land records (payment for service)
• Veterans administration hospital records
• Soldiers home records
• Lineage society records I.e. D.A.R.
• Published unit histories
• Veterans organizations, I.e. V.F.W.
• Military Academy records
• Biographies

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Service Records

• Comprise the bulk of the information you will
  find
• They are the most accessible
• They document
• Enlistment/appointment
• Duty stations and assignments
• Training
• Qualifications
• Performance
• Awards and medals
• Disciplinary actions
• Insurance
• Emergency data
• Remarks
• Separation
• Discharge
• Retirement

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Genealogical data found in service records

• Full name
• Rank
• Age
• Physical description
• Marital status
• Occupation
• City of birth
• Place of residence at enlistment

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Pension Records

• These records can provide the most genealogical
  data, especially if your ancestor served prior to
  the 20th century
• No social security so the family depended on the
  pensions
• Awarded to officers, disabled, needy,
  widows/orphans
• Pension files contain all the paper work the
  person had to go through to get the pension

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• These records could contain
• Name
• Spouse name
• Rank
• Military unit
• Length of service
• Residence at time of application
• Documented proof of service (from others who
  could attest to the service)
• Discharge papers
• When a wife applied she had to prove her marriage
  and the children living with her at the time of
  the application

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Published lists of pensioners

• These lists give the name, service information,
  age, death date, and even his or hers heirs
• 1792-95, 1813, 1817, 1818, 1828, 1831, 1835,
  1840, 1849, 1857, 1883, 1899
• Federal censuses of 1840, 1890 and 1910
• These can be found at most major libraries. Look
  for the U.S. Congressional Serial Set

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Service and Pension Files

• Most records stored at the NARA
• Some records are stored at National Personal
  Records Center in St. Louis Missouri
• General Rule
• 20th century records are at the NPRC in St.
  Louis, Missouri
• Records prior to 1900 can be found at the NARA
• These facilities do not do research, but when
  provided with the right information they well
  make copies for a fee

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• These records can only be obtained by the
  individual or a direct descendant
• Between 16 18 million records were destroyed by
  fire in 1973. These were Army and Air Force
  records house in St. Louis, Missouri
• http//www.archives.gov/about_us/regulations/part_
  1258.html
• www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/research_
  topics/military.html
• http//www-personal.umich.edu/cgaunt/civwar.html
  
• http//www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/3680/cw/cw.ht
  ml
• http//www.rootsweb.com/rwguide/lesson14.htm
• http//www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copie
  s/fees_november_2000.html
• http//www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/re
  search_topics/military.html
• http//www.archives.gov/research/order/ Where to
  order military records
• http//www.archives.gov/forms/ Forms for
  ordering military records