Cindy

I haven’t found a family researcher that doesn’t jump at the chance to stroll a cemetery. We love the old granite and marble monuments. We marvel at the inscriptions, names and unusual epitaphs. We don’t mind that they’re not “our people.” As historians we love to experience and absorb history especially in this form. I’ve always thought when we stop and recognize a long forgotten headstone we honor a life once lived.  In a larger cemetery we may come across a military section with rows of neat white marble markers. I’ve always been drawn to that section. I walk past each stone saying the soldier’s name and regiment out loud. I hope that veteran “hears” and knows he is remembered and not lost to history. I wondered about all those headstones. I know they’re supplied by the government but that’s about it. So I decided to do a little research. I was surprised to find “government issued headstones” pre-date the Civil War. It was back in this country’s frontier days when military posts were built that a burial system was established. As is common due to sickness, injury or combat, soldiers died where they were stationed and post commanders needed […]

Yesterday I shared a few ideas to begin your research on your Civil War ancestor. I have a couple more tips I thought might help you. Now that you’ve gathered some names of potential Civil War veterans, you’ll want to find which regiment they served with and their enlistment dates. Make your first research stop the 1860 US Federal Census. There you’ll find the location of ancestors in 1860. Knowing where they lived gives you the opportunity to research regiments raised in that area. With the war starting just months after the census was taken chances are your ancestor joined a regiment from the area in which he lived. Make sure you take a look at the National Park System’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors free online database. You can find it at https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm Also check the standard online databases like FamilySearch, Ancestry, Find My Past, My Heritage, Fold3, etc. Remember, if you don’t have a subscription check your local library or Family History Center. They provide limited versions of some of these online resources to patrons free of charge either at their physical location or online. Another point on your research checklist should be the Special Enumeration of Union […]

For those at the first step in researching your Civil War ancestor you might be wondering what exactly do you do? Just like your regular genealogy research, start at the very beginning. Start at home. Talk with the oldest generation of your family. Your parents Grandparents Aunts and uncles Even cousins (they may have heard a story unknown to you) Do they remember hearing stories as a child about their/your great great grandfather who served in the Civil War? Just a few questions from you may open up some long lost memories. If you get a few nuggets of information try asking something specific like: Where your potential Civil War ancestor lived? What state or region? Did he serve in the infantry or was he in the cavalry? Was he an enlisted man or maybe an officer? Who knows what valuable information these questions may produce? As always jot down any and all genealogy information citing your informant, date, etc. Also keep in mind any info you glean from family members is a starting point for your research. All information needs to be researched and proven. Next take a look at your family’s stories handed down through the generations. Those […]

We’ve all read about the bloodiest day in the American Civil War. It was September 17, 1862 when 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing at the Battle of Antietam or is it the Battle of Sharpsburg? How about the very first major battle of the Civil War fought July 21, 1861. The Union army was trounced by Confederate troops at the First Battle of Bull Run, or was it the Battle of First Manassas? Why are some Civil War battles referred to by different names?  Civil War historians seem to agree on a general theory. Union Civil War soldiers were thought to have come from more populated, urban areas. They genuinely admired the beauty of the South, its glorious mountains, valleys and rivers. So northern soldiers referred to battles they fought in by the name of a nearby river, creek or natural landmark. For example: Antietam is the name of a creek and Bull Run a tributary stream of the Potomac River. Now Confederate soldiers on the other hand, were thought to come from more rural areas, used to nature’s wonders and were far more impressed with cities or nearby structures. They usually referred to battles accordingly. Like Sharpsburg […]