MILITARY RESEARCH - U.S.
CLASS and WEBSITE
USE THE ACTIVE LINKS BELOW.
Additional information may be found in my Red 3-Ring Self-Help Notebooks: Military Research - U.S. #39, Revolutionary War Veteran Research #47, Genealogy Research by Mail #25, DAR Research #12, National Archives Microfilm Inventory and Locations by Locality and Subject #39.5, National Archives Research by Mail #40 and Newspaper Research #41.
They and others are located to the right of the entrance to the Microfilm Room in alphabetical order in the LARFHC, 10741 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, 310-474-9990. This handout and copies of all overhead transparencies shown in this class are in the Military Research - U.S. Red 3-Ring Self-Help Notebook #39.
Many of the forms listed in this handout are available free or at low cost in the Sales Area.
See a complete list of my 76 Red 3-Ring Self-Help Notebooks at http://www.larfhc.org/notebooks.htm
Unless stated otherwise, the books mentioned below are in the LARFHC. Their Call Numbers are in parentheses.
You must make a solid connection in your pedigree before proceeding. Properly record all of your documentation. T1 (Overhead Transparency No. 1) - T2
Identify the ancestors who might have been in the military and identify the war or time period. T3
Contact all living descendants of your military ancestors using all means possible. Ask each of them if they know anyone else to contact.
• MAIN CLASS OBJECTIVES
Explain the resources in the LARFHC. The LARFHC Website is at http://www.larfhc.org/ The 4 local libraries are listed below and on the Internet. Show you the types and locations of records and other information and how to obtain copies of all of them. T3.5
• BEST RESOURCES IN THE LARFHC
The most comprehensive book in the LARFHC is "U.S. Military Records" (973 M23nu). Another very good book is the "Source", pages 255 - 298 (JGS 973 D27ts). Purchase, in the Sales Area, the excellent Research Outline "U.S. Military Records" and the Research Outlines for the states you are researching. Free access to viewing and printing the Research Outlines is at the "Research Outline" link at the lower left of http://www.larfhc.org/ under "Highlights". Consult the Redbook (JGS 973 D27rba). You may also use my National Archives Microfilm Inventory and Locations by Locality and Subject Red 3-Ring Notebook #39.5 to the right of the entrance to the Microfilm Room or use the two links at http://www.larfhc.org/natarcgroup.html under "USA" and http://www.larfhc.org/natarcnum.html. There are two gray 3-ring notebooks above the red notebooks with titles "Military Records Located in the LAFHC" Vol. I and Vol. II. There are many military books at 973 M2df to M3L and DAR Patriot Index Ref 973 C42da. T4 - T9, T9.1 - T9.3
• RESOURCES IN LOCAL LIBRARIES
Sons of the Revolution Library - Revolutionary and Civil Wars, 600 S. Central, Glendale 818-240-1775. The Web site is at http://www.srcalifornia.com/ Click on Menu at top and then Library Catalog.
Southern California Genealogical Society - Revolutionary and Civil Wars, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank 818-843-7247 http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/
University of California at Santa Barbara, Wyles Collection - Best Civil War Collection on the West Coast http://pegasus.library.ucsb.edu/F Catalog Search - use "wyles civil war"
Los Angeles Public Library - Central - Many Reference Books - Directories, Encyclopedias and more, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles 213-612-3200 http://www.lapl.org/ and click "BROWSE THE CATALOG". T9.5
• ATTEND OTHER CLASSES
Attend Genealogy Research by Mail, Newspaper Research, DAR and other Military Research Classes at the LARFHC. Obtain a Class Schedule at the Information Desk at the LARFHC or view the class schedule at http://www.larfhc.org/class.htm You may also access the classes online at http://www.larfhc.org/onlineclasses.htm
• TYPES OF MILITARY RECORDS
Military Service Records, Enlistments, Draft Registrations, Discharges, Medical Records, Burials, Censuses, Amnesty, Bounty Land (Land Grants), Pensions and Homestead Land. Pensions and Homestead Land Records are the richest record sources of genealogical information about the veteran and his family. T10 - T14
• LOCATIONS OF MILITARY RECORDS AND INFORMATION
County - Register of Deeds, Recorder and Court Clerk might have discharges - Other military service information might be filed and/or recorded with the person's land records - County Recorder might have veteran burial records, Public Libraries have newspapers - The local newspapers had the war news.
State - Adjutant General might have discharges, State Censuses, State Libraries and State Archives
Federal - National Archives (before WW1), Personnel Record Center
(military personnel about 1918 to present), U.S. Office of Personnel Management, FOIA Request, Room 5H27, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415-7900 (202) 606-1800 for Civilians who have worked for the Federal Government (((New information about greed and the "U.S. Office of Personnel Management" records if the latter does not work: "To purchase a copy of a particular record, send a written request to NPRC, Civilian Personnel Records, 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118-4199. The request should include the requester's contact information, the former federal employee's full name, date of birth, name of employing agency, and period of employment. Copies of the records can be purchased for either $20 or $60, depending upon the size of the record. Most records will fall into the $60 range. Once a request has been submitted, contact us at mpr.status@nara.gov with any questions. Visitors to NPRC in St. Louis can make an appointment to view these records for free in the Archival Research Room. Visitors interested in doing so should call 314-801-0850 to schedule an appointment."))) T15-T17
and the Dept. of Veteran Affairs (VA) - 1840 Census, 1890 Census of Union Veterans/Widows, Military Historical Centers such at the Army Military History Institute (USAMHI) at http://www.carlisle.army.mil/ahec/MHI.htm# and click "Research" or 717-245-3700 or write U.S. Army Military History Institute, 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013-5021. The Military Libraries have Biographies of Officers and Unit Histories (973 M2df) Part I, II and III. T18
Other Persons - Search for the military ancestor in the Ancestral File on the Web at: http://www.familysearch.org/ under "Search" and "Details" for the name and address of the submitter. T18.1
Genealogical Research Directories (929.1025 G286grd)
Family Registry Search for the military ancestor in microfiche cabinet 2, drawer 4 and obtain the names and addresses of the submitters.
Lineage Societies - The DAR site at http://www.dar.org/ and click on "Genealogy" and the SAR site at http://www.sar.org/ have copies of old applications for membership that have pedigrees. Newer applications of their members will also have the names and addresses of the living submitters that might have more information if you have a member submit the request. Obtain the DAR request form at http://www.dar.org/natsociety/content.cfm?ID=146&hd=n&FO=Y and the DAR Form - Obtain File Case Documentation Folders records request form HERE. T18.2
The SAR request form is at http://www.sar.org/node/132 T19, T19.5
LARFHC - has microfilm from the National Archives - Union Civil War military unit histories, 3 Vols. (973 M2df), Confederate and Border States Regimental Histories on microfiche (973 M2cwu) is a book on top on one of the microfiche cabinets. T20 - T21
Internet - The best internet source of on-line military searchable databases is Ancestry.com and the "Search Military Records" and other internal links at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=39 At the LARFHC access Ancestry.com using the “FHC Services Online Portal” icon at the top center on any computer monitor and the databases at “More Collections”, “US Military Collection”.
To obtain total access to all the military databases at Ancestry.com at home or elsewhere, you will have to: 1. try a trial subscription to Ancestry.com at home OR 2. use a public library computer that has the Ancestry.com Library Edition OR 3. pay for a subscription to Ancestry.com.
Heritage Quest is now on the LARFHC computers. There are 80,000 Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Application Files. At the LARFHC access Heritage Quest using the “FHC Services Online Portal” icon at the top center on any computer monitor.
You can use Heritage Quest at home if you have LA CITY Public Library card at http://databases.lapl.org/ Click on "H" and find Heritage Quest and enter your card number and part of your phone and Submit.
You can also use Heritage Quest at home if you have LA COUNTY Public Library card at http://colapublib.org/periodicals/ Look under "Reference" to find and click on "Heritage Quest". Enter your 13 digit (no spaces) card number and proceed.
The Footnote database has MANY military databases and is available at the LARFHC. At the LARFHC access Footnote using the “FHC Services Online Portal” icon at the top center on any computer monitor. At home you may view the Footnote Website at http://www.fhc.familysearch.org/ but not fully use it.
The National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/southeast/wwi-draft/ have very nice examples of WW1 Draft Registration Cards in color.
A great list of Web sites of searchable military online records and databases is at http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/military.html The "requires payment" ones are at Ancestry.com.
Another very large Web site with wonderful links to online military indexes and records is at http://www.militaryindexes.com/ T15 - T17 - To find more Web Sites - use "Military Genealogy Research" in Google and your other search engines.
Cyndi's ... U.S. - Military http://www.CyndisList.com/military.htm and for only the Civil War
http://www.CyndisList.com/cw.htm T21.1, T21.2
Genealogy Research - Military Records at http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/ T21.3
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors online searchable database - also has unit's history when regiment name is clicked http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/
The U.S. Civil War Center http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/ T21.5
The American Civil War http://homepages.dsu.edu/jankej/civilwar/civilwar.htm T21.6
The American Civil War Homepage http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html T21.7
Histories of Navy Ships is at the Directory of American Naval Fighting Ships at http://www.hazegray.org/ T21.8
Civil War Photographs Online Catalog is explained and linked at http://eogn.typepad.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2004/07/american_civil_.html#more
WWII Army Enlistments Online Searchable Database of 9+ million names is explained at http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=8742 and the Database is at Ancestry.com At the LARFHC access Ancestry.com using the “FHC Services Online Portal” icon at the top center on any computer monitor. Access the Military Collection for the Army Enlistments. From home the Database may also be found HERE The data input is special - see the "Sample Values".
VA Offers the On-Line Nationwide Gravesite Locator. "More than 3 million records showing where veterans have been buried in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries are now available online. The innovation will make it easy for anyone with Internet access to search for the gravesite locations of deceased family members and friends." You can access this resource "The National Grave Locator" at http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
• MAKING COPIES OF MILITARY RECORDS AND INFORMATION AT THE LARFHC
Microfilm Room - print, flash drive or make CD copy
Book Area - Copy machines
Computers - Internet - print or flash drive
• HOW TO OBTAIN COPIES OF MILITARY RECORDS USING MAIL IN FORMS
Forms are in the Sales Area of the LARFHC.
The National Archives fees have increased. See the new fees at http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2007/nr07-128.html
You may order online the military records online without sending in forms at http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html
Federal - WW I to present - Personnel Record Center. Use and order only the new legal size Standard Form 180 (SF-180) that you can print out from: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html or at http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.htmlWhen using the Standard Form 180 to obtain the "Discharge Paper" military record WD AGO (started 1941) or DD-214 (started 1950 with short and long forms). ASK FOR THE LONG FORM of the person. If you receive back a form letter stating that the records were lost in a fire in 1973, send a letter with copies of everything to your congressperson and request that he contact the National Archives and request a special search for the records in other repositories. T22 - T23
Federal - before WW I - do not use the old NATF Form 80 - use only the new NATF Form 85 for Military Pension and the new Form 86 for Military Services Records. Download and print these forms from http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html T24 - T25
WW II to Present - Selective Service - download and print record request form from http://www.sss.gov/PDFs/Record%20Request.pdf T27
WW I - Draft Registration Card Request Form. Suggest you find this information on Ancestry.com T28 - T29
• MILITARY EXPERT EMPLOYEE
In the National Archives in Washington D.C. - Michael E. Pilgrim, phone 1-202-357-5134 and email at: michael.pilgrim@arch1.nara.gov/email or Click Here to E-mail. and snail mail is:
The National Archives and Records Administration
Archives I, (NWCM)
Room B-5, Michael E. Pilgrim
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, 20740-6001
• MILITARY DATABASES FOR KOREA AND VIETNAM WARS
Died or declared dead are in the Military Death Index for the Korean War 1950 - 1957 at http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/korea/ and the Vietnam War 1957 - 1975 at http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/vietnam.php. Both indexes are on a computer in the LARFHC.
• HOW TO OBTAIN MILITARY MEDALS
Use Standard Form 180 to obtain the "Discharge Paper" military record WD AGO (started 1941) or DD-214 (started 1950 with short and long forms). ASK FOR THE LONG FORM of the person. It states the medals awarded. Order free replacement medals from the government - see this link for info http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/replacement-medals.html or buy medals at http://www.usmedals.com/default.aspx?res=1024 T31.5, T32 -T35