Memory Lane Inc. - Did He Serve?

Memory Lane Inc. - Did He Serve? - Pamela K. Boyer

Memory Lane, Inc.

Did He Serve? Researching Military Service Records
Pamela K. Boyer, CG, CGL

Even if your ancestors were too poor to own land or valuable personal belongings, chances are that one or more of them served in some arm of the United States military within the past 200-plus years. Men as young as 16 or as old as 60 may have participated in the local militia units. However, most men who served were between the ages of 18 and 30.

Don't overlook military records in your genealogical research. They can reveal vital statistics, ancestors' locales, health histories, and politics. Some files may even contain original birth, marriage, or death records. Many types of records exist relating to a veteran's military service. This lecture covers compiled service records, bounty land records, pension files, records relating to service, (draft records, post or regimental returns, correspondence, muster rolls, etc.) and published indexes to use as starting points in military research.