November Series: Introduction to U.S. Military Records

This November series will provide insight on researching military records for U.S. service members and volunteers. The focus will be on records which can be found both online through subscription services and free websites or requested to be mailed through the archives which hold the original records. The series will be broken down into conflicts based on coverage by The National Archives (NA), which start with the American Revolution and end with the Vietnam War. Note: Records which cover recent conflicts can be found within these records (prisoners of war, casualties, and more), but are not grouped yet by NA. They provide information about these military conflicts, the specific types of records held, and where the records can be found, like Ancestry ($), FamilySearch (free account), and Fold3 ($ or can be included as part of an Ancestry subscription). NA also has an excellent resource, the Veterans History Project, which  facilitates quick searching based on conflict, and individual’s military records plus stories, correspondence, and other materials.

As you begin researching through military records, I’m happy to talk through what is discovered and offer advice, especially as you discover new clues about your ancestor(s). You can fill out the Contact SYFT form or email me directly at info@shapingyourfamilytree.com.

Historical context

In this introduction, it is important to understand not only where to find the military records, but to understand the historical context of the United States’ participation in the conflicts. Why did your ancestor participate? Was it by choice, through the selective service (draft), or an obligation to our country? Learning more about these conflicts may open up clues about your ancestor with answers to these questions. 

An excellent resource may be found within your local library. Many public libraries have subscription services like the ones listed above which you can use from the comfort of your home. My local Round Rock Public Library offers services, including genealogy, to any resident in the State of Texas. Their physical Genealogy section and online services fit my needs plus they offer the TexShare card, which gives one access to materials from other Texas libraries. Check your local library for their services – you may be surprised what you can find!

Many online websites offer historical context; my favorite go-to’s are: 

• The History Channel (HC), 
• Internet Archive (IA), an excellent repository of free materials, 
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), 
• The Library of Congress (LOC), 
• Google Books (GB), and 
• Britannica (B), however, there are many more. 

The table below provides links which can be referenced when reading the blog series this month. November is an excellent month on your annual calendar to revisit military records, as new records are continually being digitized and offered online. NA should be searched again each year as they may have collections for U.S. participation in more recent conflicts like The Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan.

Historical Context Links

The first blog in the series will cover the records of the American Revolution. Follow SYFT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn, to be alerted when each blog is posted. 

Images. Photograph. Clyde Alston McNeil, in WWI uniform. Phyllis Zumwalt, photographer. Private collection.