How can you get to know your Civil War ancestor?

Since you stopped by today chances are you love doing genealogy research. In fact, seeing that you’re here, you’re probably doing some pretty serious research on your Civil War ancestor too. You’re like me, you’d like to know about his military life. What did he do during the war? Was he injured? Was he a hero? How did it affect his family?

So to change up your research a little here’s a Civil War To-Do List. Just a few things you might take the time to do to better understand your Civil War ancestor and it can be really interesting too!

Civil War Ancestor To-Do List

1. Research the uniform your ancestor wore. You can start here or here or Google images for an idea of what your soldier wore. See the layers of clothing these men lived in and marched in. Take a look at the number and weight of items a regimental soldier carried on a daily basis.

I made some Hardtack myself.

2. Eat a little like he ate. Make their old stand-by: Hardtack or Johnnie cakes. Recipes below*.

3. Spend some time looking at Civil War photographs, especially colorized versions. Get a feel that these were real men who were lonely, hungry and scared, yet continued on with their duties. The Library of Congress has an extensive collection of Civil War era photos. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collec

tion/cwp/

4. Find a book (check your library, Google, American Battlefield Trust) written specifically about a battle your ancestor fought in. Become really familiar with the movements of his regiment. Then:

5. Walk where he walked. Tour the battlefield(s) where your ancestor fought. Take a moment to imagine the sites and sounds he experienced there. The fear, the blood, the destruction. If you can’t do it physically do it virtually through Google maps or Youtube. Many buffs record their visits to battlefields then post them.

That’s enough for today. I have a few more ideas I’ll share tomorrow. Drop me a line on Facebook or Insta and let me know how you’re doing. In the meantime Good Luck with your research!

*Hardtack

Ingredients:  

4 cups flour  

2 teaspoons salt  

1 cup of water (Add more or less as needed, up to another ½ cup.)  

Directions:  

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
  2. Mix ingredients in a bowl until they form a stiff, elastic dough but not dry or sticky.  You may need to adjust the amount of water- add just a little at a time!  
  3. Spread the dough about ½ inch thick onto a greased cookie sheet.  
  4. Bake for 30 minutes.  Pull out of oven and let cool for 5 minutes. 
  5. With a bread knife or pizza cutter, divide the dough into 3×3 squares and poke a grid of holes with a cleaned nail, toothpick, or skewer. Flip pieces over.   
  6. Bake in oven for more 30 minutes or until lightly brown.  Turn off the oven, leaving the hardtack inside until it cools.  

*Johnny Cakes  

Ingredients:  

2 cups of cornmeal                                                  1 teaspoon baking soda 

2/3 cup milk                                                                  ½ teaspoon salt 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil                             1 tablespoon sugar (optional) 

Directions:  

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
  2. Mix ingredients in a bowl until a stiff batter is formed.  
  3. Divide into biscuits and place on a greased cookie sheet.  You will be able to make about 8 with this recipe.  
  4. Bake in oven for more 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool for a few minutes. 
  5. Serve with butter, honey, or molasses. 

*Recipes from the National Park Service.