Are you in the process of constructing your family tree and seeking information about long-lost relatives?
Military records could be the perfect resource to help fill in the gaps. Throughout history, nearly every generation in major countries has experienced war, whether for better or worse.
As a genealogist, the records maintained during these periods can provide invaluable information.
The following are a few steps to follow when utilizing military records to build your family tree.
Determine If Your Family Members Served in the Military
Besides consulting with family members and inquiring about those who served in the military, you can also explore census records, newspaper articles, death records, obituaries, and old family photographs.
Many communities have museums dedicated to their founders, which often feature a collection of photographs.
By visiting these museums in the cities where your ancestors resided, you can research their lineage and potential military service.
Understand the Types of Military Records
- Military service records – Accessible through the National Archives and the National Personnel Records Center, these records contain information on all enlisted individuals who served in the Army, as well as discharged and deceased veterans from all services during the 20th century.
- Compiled military service records – Although many records of the American Army and Navy were destroyed by fire in 1800 and 1814, a project was initiated to reconstruct the lost records.
You can find some information, such as hospital, enlistment, and discharge data, specifically for veterans of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. - Pension records – The National Archives holds pension applications and records of pension payments for veterans, their widows, and other heirs for service individuals between 1775 and 1916.
These records can be particularly useful, as they often contain discharge papers, narratives, marriage certificates, and birth and death records. - Draft registration records – Over twenty-four million men born between 1873 and 1900 registered in one of the three World War I drafts.
These draft registration cards may include information such as name, birth date and place, occupation, dependents, nearest relative, physical description, and country of allegiance for aliens. - Bounty land records – Land bounties were granted to citizens as rewards for service or hardship during wartime.
The compiled information may consist of birth and death certificates, discharge papers, and more.
Locate Military Records
All the records mentioned above can be found at the National Archives and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
For each type of record, specific forms must be completed to access them. You can either visit their websites to request records or send a letter.
Military records offer a wealth of information for building your family tree.
Not only can you learn about who served and when, but you can also discover their birth and death dates, marital status, and other valuable genealogical information.
