WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Definitions and terminology used in military records
- Service records
- Pension records
- Bounty land records
- Draft records
Tuition:
$99.99 ($89.99 for VIP)
Course Length:
4 Weeks
Instructor:
Diana Crisman Smith
Start Date:
View upcoming course schedule for dates.
PRAISE FOR THIS CLASS
“I was extremely surprised and delighted at the amount of information provided in this course. It was a lot, and I really feel like I got my value’s worth in this class. A+!”
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE
- Genealogists with known military veteran ancestors
- People with ancestors who lived during the time of major wars
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: REQUIREMENTS & SUPPLIES
- Access to records in the National Archives is ideal for military records research, since most (federal) records are in the National Archives in the original form. Only a minor portion have been microfilmed; even a smaller portion are available in digitized form. For this course, examples will be provided for many records, but it will be helpful to have access to practice and search through one of the following sources:
- Footnote.com has partnered with NARA to digitize military records. There are several options for viewing these images: a free seven-day trial; a $11.95 monthly subscription; and a $79.95 annual subscription. Access is also available at Family History Centers.
- Ancestry.com also has some NARA military records available to US package subscribers. A 14-day free trial is available, or a one-month subscription is $19.95; a three-month subscription is $16.95/month; and a 6-month subscription is $14.95/month.
- Access to the Bureau of Land Management/Government Land Office website is free and no registration is required.
- This course assumes you understand the basics principles of genealogy and have done some investigation into your family history. If you are a total beginner, consider taking the Discover Your Family Tree course before enrolling in this class.
Outline
Lesson 1: Military Records Overview
II. Military Branches and Ranks
III. Structure of a Military Unit
IV. US Wars Timeline
B. Accessing Military Records
II. Finding Military Records
C. Tips and Tricks for Success
D. Exercise
Lesson 2: Military Service Records
B. Do service records exist for my ancestor?
C. Service Record by War
II. War of 1812
III. Mexican War
IV. Civil War
V. Spanish-American War
VI. Phillippine Insurrection
D. US Regular Forces Service Records
II. Regular Navy and Marine Corps
E. Tips and Tricks for Success
F. Exercise
Lesson 3: Miltary Pension Records
II. Do pension records exist for my ancestor?
III. Contents of Pension Files
B. Military Pensions by War
II. War of 1812
III. Mexican War
IV. Indian Wars
V. Civil War
C. Requesting Pension Records From NARA
D. Tips and Tricks for Success
E. Exercise
Lesson 4: Miltary Bounty Land Records
II. Military Bounty Land Warrants
III. Did my ancestor receive military bounty lands?
B. Finding Military Bounty Land Records
II. Requesting Bounty Land Records From NARA
C. Tips and Tricks for Success
D. Exercise
Lesson 5: Military Draft Records
II. World War I
III. World War II
IV. "Peacetime" Conscription
B. How to Find Draft Records
II. On Microfilm
III. At NARA
C. Tips and Tricks for Success
D. Exercise