Veterans and Military Records

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week we will be celebrating Veteran’s Day – a day set aside to honor and celebrate all Veterans of the Military Service –  those who have passed away and those who are still living. As many of you do, Brother May and I have a rich heritage of military service in our family trees.  The more recent heritage includes Brother May’s parents -  his father was in the Air Force, his mother was in the WAC’s.  My father was in the Navy and my sister was in the Army and National Guard.  Brother May, himself, served in the Air Force, following his father’s footsteps, then also served in the National Guard.  (Me?  I am a Navy “Brat” – didn’t serve in the military, but was born while my father was on active duty.  I was probably more “brat” in my teenage years but that is a different story and won’t be told here :-)

When we are researching our family’s military records to add information and sources to our trees, it can be really enlightening.  Some of the records recently released include World War II draft cards.  These have such information on them as the birthdate, birthplace, age at last birthday, the name and relationship of the one person who will always know their address, the name and address of their employer, their signature, their race and physical description.  At the bottom on the back of the cards the location that the card was signed and the date are included.   

Another set of records recently released for those who have passed away are the Enlistment Records for WWII.  These include the person’s military rank, the branch of service, enlistment and discharge date, and their service number. 

When we tried to find information on those who were enlisted after World War II, however, the records do not seem to be available unless you subscribe to a service for background or employment checks.

The really fun research begins when you go back farther in time than WWII.  WWI draft cards are available, and while they contain basically the same information as the WWII cards, it is fun to compare the changes in physical description, the changes in address and employment. 

Then take another step back in time.  One of the interesting items I found while searching is a certificate from Officer’s Training School – from Canada!  One of my great uncles graduated from Infantry Officer school in Manitoba and was assigned to the First Battalion of the Manitoba Rangers as a Lieutenant. 

Another interesting item was the Civil War Pension Application.  A great-great-grandfather’s widow applied and received a pension from the Civil War Fund.  This document lists my great-great grandfather, his rank, and branch of service.  It also includes the application number and certificate of approval number so I can do more research.

As you search on Ancestry.com for military records, the following list appears: 

·                     Draft, Enlistment and Service

·                     Casualties

·                     Soldier, Veteran & Prisoner Rolls & Lists

·                     Pension Records

·                     Histories

·                     Awards & Decorations of Honor

·                     News

·                     Disciplinary Actions

·                     Photos

Click on the type of document you would like to research.  The next page offers more options to narrow down your search. Choose one then enter the name of the person you are searching for with as many of the fields filled in as you can, and click on Search.  For fun, I just listed the last name of one of my relatives and the state he lived in, then choose US, Civil War Soldiers 1861-1865.  The next page that loaded was Records and Profiles, then came the page with 64 names of soldiers for me to research.  I am probably related to all of them at some point in the family tree, but it will be interesting to do a deeper research to see what I can find.

I have to do more work with searching for military records on FamilySearch.  It is not as easy, I have found, to find the information I am searching for.  Thank goodness we have the help of Ancestry.com at our disposal to locate records.

As you celebrate the Veteran’s in your life, we challenge you to add just one document or story to your family tree in FamilySearch or Ancestry.com.   Be careful when doing a general military record search on a search engine.  Many say they are free in the link or brief description. When you click on the link you find they ask for your credit card information because they are only offering a free trial, then they charge your card for you to be able to use the site. 

Brother May and I are so very thankful for his opportunity to serve our country and for the service of all of our family members.  What a tribute to be able to add information about their service to our family trees.

May you have a wonderful Veteran’s Day this week!  Brother and Sister May



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