Genealogy @ the Algonquin Area Public Library

When Johnny Comes Marching Home:
How Can I Find My Ancestors’ U.S. Military Records?

Genealogy Workshop April 2, 2004
View the Presentation Online

National Archives | Selected Web Sites | Revolutionary War | Civil War | World War I | World War II | Korean War | Vietnam War

National Archives & Records Administration

Military Records Available at NARA
Includes an overview of military records helpful to beginning researchers. Outlines military records available for each war and links to relevant web sites for selected topics.

Access to Military Records by the General Public
Overview of who is entitled to more recent military service records from the National Personnel Records Center under the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

How to Order Military Records from NARA and NPRC

Military Service Records: A Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
Lists microfilm publication and reel numbers for selected records and indexes on microfilm.

Search the NARA Microfilm Catalog
Search for availability of microfilm at regional archives locations.

Selected Web Sites

US Military Web Sites from Cyndi’s List
Directory of web sites relating to military records from the #1 genealogy web site on the Internet.

Directory of State Archives
Links to archival web sites for each state.

Illinois State Archives Databases of Illinois Veterans
Includes veterans from War of 1812 ; Mexican War; Civil War Veterans; Spanish American War

Access to Archival Databases (NARA)
Access to free electronic databases such as Korean War File of American Prisoners of War; World War II Prisoners of War File; Korean War Casualty File; Vietnam Casualties Database.

Selective Service System
Find out how to obtain draft registration cards beginning with World War I. Follow the link to download a Registrant Information Request Form [pdf].

Revolutionary War

Daughters of the American Revolution

Finding Your Patriot: Basic Sources for Starting Revolutionary War Research

Civil War

Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System
Online index to Compiled Military Service Records of Civil War Soldiers.

Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database
New, searchable database contains the names of soldiers who fought with Illinois units during the Civil War, as well as their ages, physical descriptions, hometown, and service record. Search by name, unit, county, township, or city.

Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications Index

World War I

Chicago World War I Draft Registration Districts
Determine the draft board districts of your ancestor using maps and ward numbers.

World War I Casualties (Buried Overseas)

World War II

World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel (NARA)

State Summary of War Casualties from World War II for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel (NARA)

World War II Casualties (Buried Overseas)

World War II Prisoners of War Data File

Japanese-American Internee File, 1942 - 1946

Korean War

State-level Lists of Casualties from the Korean Conflict (NARA)

Korean Honor Roll (Buried Overseas)

Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War File (NARA)

Korean War Data File of American Prisoners of War (NARA)

Korean Conflict Casualty File (NARA)

Vietnam War

State-level Lists of Casualties from the Vietnam Conflict (NARA)

Unit Information for Vietnam Casualties Database (NARA)