Researching Civil War ancestors

Last time we discussed a couple of record sets that might be available at the Courthouse pertaining to your Civil War ancestor. Here are a couple more suggestions to help in your research. Just keep in mind that the courthouse records you seek normally depend on the location your Civil War ancestor was living at the time the record was generated. With these two tips it would be the courthouse* in the county of his death. Graves Registration File – In some areas the County Recorder’s office in the courthouse has an index card file known as the Grave Registrations File. The cards, in alphabetical order are a record of veterans who are buried in the county. Information on the cards include the name of the veteran, sometimes birth date and place, most times death date and place, the veteran’s burial date and place (which included cemetery, section & lot number), enlistment date, branch of service, unit, and rank, sometimes next of kin because that’s who provided the information and their relationship to the deceased. On occasion the address of the deceased at the time of their death was also listed. Not only does the file contain the burial location […]

You’ve been researching your Civil War ancestor’s service for a while now. You’ve searched the Federal censuses, NARA pension records, Compiled Military Service Records, regimental histories and more. You’ve been a captive to your laptop as you’ve documented your veteran’s actions. Let’s change it up a bit. We’ll get up, get out and get going. It’s time for some research out in the field away from the computer. We’re going to check out Courthouse Records.* Keep in mind that the courthouse records you seek will depend on the location your Civil War ancestor was living at the time the record was generated. These records were produced during the war and depending on your ancestor’s movements, your search may cover a couple county courthouses.  Money Account – The first time I heard of this type of record I was attending a Civil War presentation in a neighboring county. “Money Accounts” or “Statements of Moneys” were set up at this county’s local courthouse during the early part of the Civil War. Because soldiers did not receive their pay regularly due to troop movement these accounts were set up for families to deposit money for their soldier’s use. This money was to reach […]

In a previous post we discussed resources for the researcher still unsure where their Civil War veteran is buried. If you’re still seeking that information this resource may help solve the mystery: The Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the American Union, Interred in National Cemeteries. Long title but a very important little used resource. The Roll of Honor is the only official listing of Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. This is a 27 volume set containing more than 300,000 names of soldiers who died in hospitals, as prisoners of war, and on the battlefield. The first two volumes of the series were published in 1865-66 and the additional volumes were published through 1870. This work was updated recently in 1994. The compilation of this extensive list of burials dates back to the Mexican War. Fought from 1846 to 1848, approximately 1,733 US soldiers died in combat. Most of their bodies were never recovered and are buried in a cemetery in Mexico City. Very few of these men were ever identified. Sadly the war ended with unknown US soldiers buried in an unknown foreign cemetery. To prevent this from ever happening again […]

President Lincoln signed an Act of Congress creating what he hoped was an answer for injured veterans. Along with accomplishing Lincoln’s goal it’s outstanding genealogy research material. By 1865, the Civil War raged on into an unprecedented fourth year. The United States soon found itself faced with yet another dilemma previously unknown to the country. There were a growing number of disabled veterans who were finding it difficult to care for themselves. With a lack of healthcare and the inability of family members to nurse these type of injuries, veterans declined in health. In March of 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress creating what he hoped would be an answer for the ailing veteran, the National Homes for Disabled Soldiers. This Congressional Act appropriated the building of three “Homes”. The first one was built in Togus, Maine and referred to as the Eastern Branch. The second home was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and known as the North Western Branch and the third home, known as the Central Branch was located in Dayton, Ohio. As the war ended and soldiers returned home from hospitals and prison camps, it was apparent the need was much greater than originally anticipated. […]

In the latter part of the Civil War, after the prisoner exchange system broke down, Confederate POWs were given a couple of options. The first was to be shipped off to one of the Union prisons up north. There they’d live in squalid, miserable conditions for the rest of the war, hopefully avoiding death. Or the prisoners could “swallow the dog” which meant taking an Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. and joining the Union army. Many prisoners chose the latter. Roughly 6,000 Confederate soldiers joined the Union army from 1864 to 1865. They eventually served out west. These Confederates were known as Galvanized Yankees and served with the 1st through the 6th U.S.Volunteer Infantry Regiments. They were sent west to fight the Plains Indians. Since there were questions about these newly minted soldier’s loyalty to the Union, they served as far from Civil War battlefields as possible. This same situation held true for federal troops. The term Galvanized Yankees was also used as a reference to Union soldiers who once they were captured by Confederate troops chose to “enlist” in the Confederate army rather than become a prisoner of war. It’s estimated more than 1,600 Union soldiers who were […]

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 […]