researching civil war soldiers: an overview

DNAResearching Civil War Soldiers:

An OverviewJourney Through Hallowed Ground, 18 Jan 2014

Civil War Soldiers: By the Numbers

• ~3.2 million served in the Civil War

• Chances are good that more than one man with that name served in the war

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Did He Serve?

• Not every man served

• Consider any male born between 1820 and 1845 as a candidate for Civil War service.

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Clues for Service

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Obituaries

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“The members of the G.A.R., George H. Thomas post, will conduct the funeral.”

Tombstones – Military Symbols

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Tombstones – Military Symbols

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Look at the dates as well. Born 1837: possible Civil War service

Tombstones

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Government-issued marker for Union veteran:• Rounded top• Shield shape inscribed in the

stone

Tombstones

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Government-issued marker for Confederate veteran:• Pointed top• Notation of “C.S.A.”

Flag Holders/Grave Markers

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Use as a clue. These can be moved and might be in front of the wrong tombstone.

1910 Federal Census

Column 30: “Whether a Survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy.”

Determining the Correct Service

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As You’re Researching, Remember…

• Need more than a name to make sure you’re researching the right person

– Regiment– Birth date– Location (birth place, residence)– Associated people (parents, spouse, etc.)

• Regiment is key

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Determining the Regiment

• Obituaries

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Determining the Regiment

• Tombstones

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Determining the Regiment

• Units often formed with men from the same area

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Determining the Regiment

• Units Comprised of Porter County Men:

• 9th Indiana Infantry• 11th Indiana Infantry• 12th Indiana Infantry• 13th Indiana Infantry• 17th Indiana Infantry• 18th Indiana Infantry• 20th Indiana Infantry• 22nd Indiana Infantry• 59th Indiana Infantry

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Published Rosters

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Published Rosters

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This roster shows where the man was from. Good clue to help differentiate between men of the same name.

Research Strategies

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Research Strategies

• By name– Soldier – Soldier’s family– Others in his unit, especially commanding officer

• Unit

• Battle

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Research Template

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Research Template• State Historical Societies

• State Libraries and State Archives

• State and County GenWeb Sites

• Unit/Regimental Sites

• Local Public Libraries

• Local/County Genealogical Societies

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State Archives

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State Archives

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State Libraries

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County Genealogical Societies

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Regimental Sites

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Regimental Sites

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Google Books

• Rosters

• Unit histories

• Regimental reunions

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Searching Online

• Try using different terms

• Battle names– Union: usually named for natural features– Confederates: usually named for man-made features

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Search Terms

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WorldCat.org

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WorldCat.org

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