1 Compiled Military Service Records and Indexes National Archives Microfilm Wars and military conflicts have been part of the American scene from the Colonial Period to our present age. It is likely that many of your male ancestors will be found in records created as a result of military service or by application for veterans benefits. Military records can be critical for patrons who need to prove an ancestor s military service to qualify for benefits or who wish to gain admission into a patriotic or hereditary society. This study guide is designed to provide researchers with an outline of microfilm records types available through the National Archives. For more detailed information concerning military records, please visit the National Archives website area dealing with this specific subject at http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/military/. The National Archives has custody of many categories of military records, including records of Army volunteers, the Regular Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and a limited number of Confederate forces materials. Most records pertaining to the Civil War are for Union soldiers. Most records for service in the 20th century are housed at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Military records of greatest interest to genealogists are those that prove military service by an ancestor in the period before 1900. Army volunteers refers both to men who enlisted and those who were drafted into the Army during wars beginning with the Revolutionary War ( which began in 1775) through the Philippine Insurrection that ended in 1902, as distinguished from those men who served in the permanent, or regular, military establishment of the United States. Some today would call these career soldiers. A compiled military service record consists of an envelope containing one or more cards where information about the soldier has been abstracted from enlistment papers, muster rolls, payrolls, hospital registers, prison records, and other miscellaneous sources. Some original documents have been found filed with the compiled military service records for later wars. These military service records are primarily used to prove military service by an ancestor and the information relates to the person s service. For earlier wars, a compiled military service record may simply contain information about the soldier s rank, military organization, state from which he served, and his length of service. Later records usually contain additional information such as age, birthplace, physical description, and on occasions, some original enlistment or personal documents.
2 Wartime Military Records Available At National Archives Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 The information included in Revolutionary War records is rank, military organization, state from which the soldier served (if known), and dates his name appears on various rolls. Records seldom reflect the extent of service, personal data, and sometimes not even the rank. These records are far from complete since many original records were destroyed by fire during the War of 1812. The records that did survive have been microfilmed. There is also a consolidated name index to the records on microfilm format where separate name indexes exist for each state. Post-Revolutionary War Period, 1784-1811 Compiled military service records for soldiers who served in the numerous Indian skirmishes during this era give the following information: Rank, military organization, state from which the soldier served when available, and dates of service (mustered in and out). These records and a consolidated name index are also available on microfilm. War of 1812, 1812-1815 Information on records from the War of 1812 includes rank, military organization, dates of enlistment and discharge, and state from which the soldier came from. A consolidated name index is available on microfilm, as well as some individual state indexes. Most of these records are available on microfilm, but because Washington, D.C. was burned during the War, some records have been lost. Some state indexes have been microfilmed. Indian Wars, 1815-1858 These records include service in the Seminole Wars (1817-1818, 1835-1842, 1855-1858), Winnebago War (1827), Sac and Fox War (1831), Black Hawk War (1832), Creek War (1836-1837), Indians Wars In Texas (1849-1851), Cherokee Removal (1835-1841), as well as numerous small encounters. Information included in these records consists of rank, military organization; dates of enlistment (muster). Most records are available on microfilm, as well as a consolidated name index. Some state indexes have also been microfilmed. Mexican War, 1846-1848 Information includes rank, military organization, state of residence, dates of enlistment (muster), and age. A name index to these service records is called Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteers Soldiers Who Served During the Mexican War (M616). It consists of 41 microfilm rolls (National Archives Citation). Note: The compiled service records for all wars mentioned above are located in Record Group 94, Records Of The Adjutant General s Office, in The National Archives. Civil War: Union Veterans, 1861-1865 Civil War service records were the first to include personal information and more detailed data concerning the soldier s service. Information includes rank, military
3 organization, state of service, dates of enlistment, dates of rank changes, date and place of discharge, and nature of discharge. Sometimes the volunteer enlistment papers show age, residence at time of enlistment, occupation, and physical description. If the soldier was hospitalized, a bed care card will show the age, birthplace, marital status, residence, and date/place where soldier was wounded. If the soldier died, a casualty sheet will show the date and place of death and next of kin (if known). If a soldier was captured, the dates of release or parole would be found (if available). These service records have been microfilmed, but there is no complete name index, which usually makes it necessary to know what state the soldier came from. State indexes have been microfilmed. If you don t know what state your ancestor was from, it is best to begin with the census index for the last known state of residence prior to your ancestor enlisting in the military. If he cannot be found there, expand your search to the indexes of adjacent states. Civil War: Confederate Troops, 1861-1865 Compiled military service records for Confederate troops include state, company/regiment, and rank. Other information may include the date of a change in rank, dates and places of enlistment and discharge, occupation, and physical description. If captured, the dates of release and parole or date of death may be shown. These records have been microfilmed by the various state archives where each state has a separate name index. There are some incomplete records for Confederate soldiers at the National Archives, as well as a consolidated name index. The most complete records are found at the state level. Spanish-American War, 1898-1899 Information includes rank, military organization, dates and places of enlistment (muster), birthplace, residence, occupation, name and address of parent or guardian, and physical description. Microfilmed records for soldiers can be found in Record Groups 94 and 407, M871, 126 rolls (National Archives Citation). Philippine Insurrection, 1899-1902 Information includes the same facts that have been mentioned under the Spanish American War. There are no microfilmed compiled service records for soldiers who fought during the insurrection. An alphabetical card index has been microfilmed. It gives the name of the soldier, rank, unit(s) he served and may have references to personal papers. This index is available in Record Group 94, M872, 24 rolls (National Archives Citation). Revolutionary War Series # of Rolls General Index M860 58 rolls American Naval Personnel Index M879 1 roll Connecticut Index M920 25 rolls Georgia Index M1051 1 roll
4 North Carolina Index M257 2 rolls Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who M881 1,096 rolls Served in the American Army during the Revolutionary War Compiled Service Records of American Naval M880 4 rolls Personnel and Members of the Departments of the Quartermaster General and of the Commissionary General of Military Stores Who Served during the Revolutionary War Post-Revolutionary War Period Index M694 9 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M905 32 rolls Soldiers Who Served from 1784 to 1811 War of 1812 Index M602 234 rolls Louisiana Index M229 3 rolls North Carolina Index M250 5 rolls South Carolina Index M652 7 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M678 22 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the War of 1812 in Organizations from the Territory of Mississippi Indian Wars and Disturbances Index, 1815-1858 M629 42 rolls Alabama: Cherokee Removal Index M243 1 roll Creek War Index M244 2 rolls Florida War Index M245 1 roll Georgia: Cherokee Removal Index M907 1 roll
5 Louisiana: Florida War Index M239 1 roll War of 1837-38 Index M241 1 roll Michigan: Patriot War Index, 1838-39 M630 1 roll New York: Patriot War Index, 1838 M631 1 roll N. Carolina: Cherokee Removal Index M256 1 roll Tennessee: Cherokee Removal Index M908 2 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M1086 63 rolls Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Florida during the Florida Indian Wars, 1835-1858 Compiled Military Service Records of Michigan M1505 3 rolls and Illinois Volunteers Who Served during the Winnebago Indian Disturbances of 1827 Mexican War Index M616 41 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M863 9 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the Mexican War in organizations fro the State of Mississippi Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M351 3 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the Mexican War in Mormon Organizations Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M1028 13 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the Mexican War in Organizations from the State of Pennsylvania Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M638 15 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the Mexican War in Organizations from the State of Tennessee Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M278 19 rolls Soldiers Who Served during the Mexican War in Organizations from the State of Texas
6 Civil War: Union Troops Alabama: Index M263 1 roll Compiled Service Records M276 10 rolls Arizona Terr.: Index M532 1 roll Arkansas: Index M383 4 rolls Compiled Service Records M399 60 rolls California: Index M533 7 rolls Colorado Terr.: Index M534 3 rolls Conneticut: Index M535 17 rolls Dakota Terr.: Index M536 1 roll Delaware: Index M537 4 rolls Dist. Of Columbia: Index M538 3 rolls Florida: Index M264 1 roll Compiled Service Records M400 11 rolls Georgia: Index M385 1 roll Compiled Service Records M403 1 roll Illinois: Index M539 101 rolls Indiana: Index M540 86 rolls Iowa: Index M541 29 rolls Kansas: Index M542 10 rolls Kentucky: Index M386 30 rolls Compiled Service Records M397 515 rolls Louisiana: Index M387 4 rolls Compiled Service Records M396 50 rolls Maine: Index M543 23 rolls Maryland: Index M388 13 rolls Compiled Service Records M384 128 rolls Massachusetts: Index M544 44 rolls
7 Michigan: Index M545 48 rolls Minnesota: Index M546 10 rolls Mississippi: Index M389 1 roll Compiled Service Records M404 4 rolls Missouri: Index M390 54 rolls Compiled Service Records M405 854 rolls Nebraska: Index M547 2 rolls Nevada: Index M548 1 roll New Hampshire: Index M549 13 rolls New Jersey: Index M550 26 rolls New Mexico Terr.: Index M242 4 rolls Compiled Service Records M427 46 rolls New York: Index M551 157 rolls North Carolina: Index M391 2 rolls Compiled Service Records M401 25 rolls Ohio: Index M552 122 rolls Oregon: Index M553 1 roll Pennsylvania: Index M554 136 rolls Rhode Island: Index M555 7 rolls Tennessee: Index M392 16 rolls Compiled Service Records M395 220 rolls Texas: Index M393 2 rolls Compiled Service Records M402 13 rolls Utah Territory: Index M556 1 roll Compiled Service Records M692 1 roll Vermont: Index M557 14 rolls Virginia: Index M394 1 roll Compiled Service Records M398 7 rolls
8 Washingtion Terr.: Index M558 1 roll West Virginia: Index M507 13 rolls Compiled Service Records M508 261 rolls Wisconsin: Index M559 33 rolls Alphabetical Card Name Indexes to the M1290 36 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served in Union Organizations Not Raised by States or Territories, Excepting the Veterans Reserve Corps and the U.S. Colored Troops Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M636 44 rolls Union Soldiers Who Served in the Veteran Reserve Corps Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M589 98 rolls Union Soldiers Who Served with United States Colored Troops Compiled Service Records of Former Confederate M1017 65 rolls Soldiers Who Served in the 1st through 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments, 1864-1866 Civil War: Confederate Troops Consolidated Index M253 535 rolls Alabama: Index M374 49 rolls Compiled Service Records M311 508 rolls Arizona Terr.: Index M375 1 roll Compiled Service Records M318 1 roll Arkansas: Index M376 26 rolls Compiled Service Records M317 256 rolls Florida: Index M225 9 rolls Compiled Service Records M251 104 rolls Georgia: Index M226 67 rolls Compiled Service Records M266 607 rolls Kentucky: Index M377 14 rolls Compiled Service Records M319 136 rolls
9 Louisiana: Index M378 31 rolls Compiled Service Records M320 414 rolls Maryland: Index M379 2 rolls Compiled Service Records M321 22 rolls Mississippi: Index M380 16 rolls Compiled Service Records M322 193 rolls North Carolina: Index M230 43 rolls Compiled Service Records M270 580 rolls South Carolina: Index M381 35 rolls Compiled Service Records M267 392 rolls Tennessee: Index M231 48 rolls Compiled Service Records M268 359 rolls Texas: Index M227 41 rolls Compiled Service Records M323 445 rolls Virginia: Index M382 62 rolls Compiled Service Records M324 1,075 rolls Index to Confederate Soldiers Who Served in M818 26 rolls Organization Raised Directly by the Confederate Government and of Confederate General and Staff Officers and No-regimental Enlisted Men Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers M258 123 rolls Who Served in Organizations Raised Directly by the Confederate Government Compiled Service Records of Confederate M331 275 rolls Generals and Staff Officers and Non-regimental Enlisted Men Spanish-American War General Index M871 126 rolls Louisiana Index M240 1 roll North Carolina Index M413 2 rolls Compiled Service Records of Volunteer M1087 13 rolls
10 Soldiers Who Served in the Florida Infantry during the War with Spain Philippine Insurrection Index M872 24 rolls Compiled by Bryan L. Mulcahy, Reference Librarian, Fort Myers-Lee County Library 9/14/2007