For Those Who Served: Military Research From Colonial Conflicts to World War II
Throughout American history, brave men and women have answered the call to serve our country and defend our families. Many of us can claim these courageous citizens as our ancestors. But how do we learn more about their service? In this five-week online seminar, you will learn the tools, tips, and strategies to research veteran ancestors who served in colonial conflicts, the American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
This course includes five 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
November 4 - Class 1: Soldiers of Colonial Conflicts
Presented by David Allen Lambert
This first class will discuss how to research ancestors who served in the Pequot War, King Philip’s War, King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War, King George’s War, and French and Indian War.
November 11 - Class 2: Revolutionary War Patriots
Presented by Elizabeth Peay
Learn how to trace your patriot ancestors using muster rolls, quartermaster rolls, pension files, the 1840 census, journals and diaries, and more.
November 18 - Class 3: War of 1812 Veterans
Presented by David Allen Lambert
The National Archives holds important records for War of 1812 veterans including compiled service and pension records. Learn how to access and use these important resources, plus muster rolls, correspondence from officers, town histories, and more.
November 25 - Class 4: Soldiers of the Civil War
Presented by David Allen Lambert
There are a number of sources that can help you trace your Civil War soldier ancestors. From special questions and schedules in select US censuses to GAR member lists to detailed pension files to published regiment histories, you can find the story of your ancestor’s service. Learn how to determine what regiment your ancestor served in, what battles they fought in, and what happened to them and their families after the war. We will focus our discussion on Union records, but also discuss resources for Confederate soldiers.
December 2 - Class 5: World War I & World War II Veterans
Presented by Melanie McComb
Researching World War I and World War II veterans present unique challenges. In 1973 a fire destroyed 16 to 18 million personnel records for the U.S. Army between (service years 1912 to 1960) and the U.S. Air Force (service years 1947 to 1964). Learn how you can start to reconstruct your ancestor’s service using draft registration cards and enlistments, the US census, discharge papers, unit histories, and more.