5 Different Military Record Types: Uncover Your Ancestry
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Are you hitting a brick wall in your family history research? Are you frustrated by missing information or gaps in your ancestor’s military service? It’s a common problem, especially when dealing with military records.
This lack of awareness can be a major roadblock! You might be missing out on crucial details about your ancestor’s military career, wartime experiences, and even medical history. Without this information, you may never fully understand their life, motivations, or the legacy they passed down to you.
But don’t worry; below, we’ll explore the diverse world of military records. We’ll delve into pension files, draft cards, and more. So, let’s see how they can help unlock the secrets of your family’s military past.
» Look through a database of military records and find your ancestor
What makes military records unique?
Military records are a unique and valuable resource for genealogical research. They offer a glimpse into our national history and character, reflecting specific moments during times of peace and conflict. These records reveal our nation’s role in global events, as well as our values and priorities.
For example, draft records show us how our nation defined fitness for service and the standards it set for success. On a more personal level, military records highlight the specific traits, accomplishments, and sometimes even the shortcomings of those who served.
Military records often contain key details about individuals. This includes their name, birthplace or residence, and the date and location of their enlistment. They also typically list the person’s occupation at the time of enlistment, where they served, and their physical characteristics.
Sometimes, military records even refer to close relatives or associates. In all cases, military records offer valuable clues for further research into an individual’s service details and personal history.
» Learn how to research military records
Variations in military records: Era and region
Military records vary significantly in structure and content. These variations depend on the historical period, the branch of service, and the region.
Revolutionary War
For instance, Revolutionary War muster rolls were handwritten forms. They listed the regiment’s name, followed by the names of its personnel: captains, lieutenants, sergeants, corporals, and privates, in order of rank.
Each individual’s record included their commission, appointment, or enlistment date. Pre-formatted columns also noted their status, such as whether they were sick, on furlough, or deceased.
Civil War
Almost a century later, the U.S. Marine Corps used printed muster rolls during the Civil War. These had typed column headings and contained much more information. Handwritten details for each Marine were placed in the columns:
- Name
- Rank
- Enlistment date
- Re-enlistment date
- Last desertion date
- Apprehension date
- Court-martial sentence date
- The offense
- Remarks
While standard records provide a foundation, awards for extraordinary service offer unique insights. Compare the U.S. “Life Saving Medal” (1878-1944) to UK military medals of a similar period. U.S. records focus on the rescue itself, with witness testimonies and delivery details.
U.K. medals delve deeper into the military structure, listing brigade, division, and rank alongside casualty status and dates. This shows how regional governments varied in their documentation, highlighting the importance of understanding these nuances for effective research.
5 types of military records for genealogical research
Many military records may serve you in your research, but here are the top five records of the U.S. military that I have found useful in researching the widest range of individuals.
1. Military draft cards
Americans have been conscripted into several wars, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Draft board volunteers typically collected the following information on draft cards: name, permanent/mailing address(es), age/date of birth, next of kin, employment information, and basic physical appearance (e.g., race, build, height and weight, complexion, eye color).
Draft registration cards are usually two pages long. Key sections include details about physical characteristics that could identify the individual or disqualify them from service. Other important sections contain information about the nearest relative or a person who would always know the registrant’s address, as well as the “Indian,” “Citizenship,” and “Alien” sections.
The information on draft cards can help researchers identify an individual’s close relatives, potentially leading to their family of origin. Details about the registrant’s appearance can also help distinguish between people with similar names in the same community or region.
» Honor your World War II hero by telling their story
2. Enlistment records
Enlistment records contain much of the same information as draft cards, but they also include details about the enlistee’s rank and unit assignments. For example, an index of U.S. Army Enlistment Records from 1938-1946 documents a person’s enlistment date, term of enlistment, marital status, education level, civilian occupation, military rank, and branch designation.
These records may be handwritten or typed, depending on the era. Earlier records, particularly those from the 19th century, are more likely to be entirely handwritten, often on pre-printed forms. Records from the 20th century onward could be either typed or handwritten.
Enlistment records can be used to confirm military service, especially after someone registers for a draft. They also allow genealogists to cross-reference the individual with other military records, such as service and pension records. In some cases, details in the enlistment record may provide clues to help discover information about the enlistee’s close relatives.
» Learn to search for your ancestor’s military records by name
3. Discharge records
State and county discharge records detail the facts of an individual’s honorable discharge from a military branch. While different branches provide different information, these records typically include the location of discharge, the person’s highest rank, and their service locations.
Other details may include qualifications (e.g., marksmanship, horsemanship), physical description, civilian occupation, battles fought, wounds suffered, and physical examination results.
Discharge forms are usually pre-printed but may be filled out by hand or with a typewriter. The format and structure vary by military branch. Some branches, like the Marine Corps, document one person per page.
The Navy, however, records the discharge of two individuals on a single page. Notable sections for analysis include the service member’s “character” description and the “remarks” section.
Researchers can use discharge papers to learn about a veteran’s combat experiences and their development within the military. The date and location of discharge can help track the individual’s residence and activities, creating a timeline of their life after service.
» Learn how to find American military burials abroad
4. Pension records
Pension records are often a goldmine of information for genealogists. Applicants could be the service member themselves, their widow, or a dependent. Regardless of the military branch, those applying for pensions had to provide proof of the veteran’s service.
This usually involved detailing where the service member enlisted and naming others who served in their unit. Often, statements were required from people who could confirm the applicant’s information; these individuals might include fellow service members, relatives, or acquaintances.
These records may include the pension application, witness statements or affidavits, and payment records. You should pay attention to descriptions of relationships between the service member and the witnesses or between the service member and the applicant.
You can use this information to help establish the service member’s life timeline and identify family members. This is especially helpful when there are multiple applications and documentation of service, discharge, and death.
5. Separation records
Separation records were created when a service member was discharged from the military. These records include enlistment records, a summary of service dates and locations, immunization records, and physical and dental examination results from both enlistment and throughout their service.
Because these records are compilations, their format and structure can vary depending on who assembled them and the branch of service. The medical examinations and their associated diagrams are particularly interesting. Comparing initial exams to those at the time of separation can reveal physical changes, scars, and injuries sustained during service.
Separation records are most helpful in understanding your ancestor’s overall service, physical growth, and character development over time rather than specifically identifying family connections. But, using the service dates and locations listed in the record, timelines of the veteran’s life, at least during their military service, can be created.
For example, I recently ordered my grandfather’s Marine Corps separation record. While his Honorable Discharge record wasn’t included in the 13-page electronic document, the “report of separation” contained much of the same information. It listed his “military specialties,” “service schools attended,” the types of courses he took, and the duration of instruction (7 weeks).
3 challenges in accessing military records
Genealogists face a number of challenges when trying to locate and access military records.
1. Government requirements
First, there are often requirements for requesting more recent separation and pension records. You’ll need to have basic information about the person you are researching and be able to verify your relationship with them.
According to NARA, military personnel records become available to the public for a fee 62 years after the service member leaves the military. For more recent records, the public may only have copies or restricted access.
To ensure you can obtain the information you need when ordering online, be sure to have the following:
- The veteran’s complete name used while in service
- Social security number
- Branch of service
- Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is unknown)
- If the next of kin is placing the order, proof of the veteran’s death (e.g., death certificate, published obituary)
» Learn from the best about researching military records
2. Poorly preserved records
Record preservation issues can also be problematic. Early records may have handwriting that is difficult to read, and the documents themselves might be damaged or poorly preserved.
In some cases, the records might not even exist. Fires and other catastrophes have destroyed records, making it impossible to find certain individuals.
To overcome these challenges:
- Consider taking a course on how to read handwriting from certain eras.
- Compare handwriting patterns within a document to help decipher difficult words.
- If a record you need was involved in the 1973 fire that destroyed millions of personnel files for Army and Air Force personnel discharged between 1912 and 1964, gather information about the place of discharge, last unit of assignment, and place of entry into the service.
» Learn how to preserve family documents and photos
3. Name variations
Another challenge relates to search techniques. Older records may not be indexed, and even when they are, your veteran’s name may be difficult to find. There may be multiple name variations, and you may have to look through images with illegible handwriting or unfamiliar military codes.
To improve your search:
- Use tried and true search techniques, keeping in mind name variations.
- Use wildcards like “”, , and ? to help find the right person.
- Conduct extra research to decipher handwriting and to understand military codes and their meaning for your research subject.
Be sure to have the veteran’s place of discharge, last unit of assignment, and place of entry into service.
» Find out if your ancestors changed their surname at Ellis Island
Unearth your family’s military legacy
By exploring these diverse military records, you’ve gained the tools to break through those genealogical brick walls and uncover the hidden stories of your ancestors’ military past. Remember, each record is a piece of the puzzle, contributing to a richer, more complete picture of their lives.
With this knowledge, you can go forth and discover the heroes, struggles, and triumphs that shaped your family history! Happy researching!
» Find your ancestors using an extensive military record database