Louisiana First Registration Draft Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of images of 4x6 draft registration cards (SSS–1 forms) for “Louisiana First Registration Draft Cards, 1940–1945.” The cards are part Record Group 147: Records of the Selective System, 1926-1971 NAID 2169763. This collection was originally located at the NARA SW Region in Fort Wort, Texas, and is currently located at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. While the cards are part of a record group created between 1940 and 1945, they pertain to men born between February 17, 1897 and 1928. After the United States entered World War I, a Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration. The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on the industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between February 17, 1897 and 1928. This draft registration was intended to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service. Information on the cards was supplied by the individual, and recorded by a registrar.


 * Selective Service Louisiana State Headquarters Administrative History Note

World War II Registration Dates

 * First Registration October 16, 1940: males ages 21 to 35 "within the continental United States"
 * Second Registration July 1, 1941: males "who had reached 21 sine the first registration"
 * Third Registration February 16, 1942: between the ages of 20 and 45 "who had not previously registered"
 * Fourth Registration April 27, 1942: between the ages of 45 and 65 "not eligible for military service" This registration is not included in this collection.
 * Fifth Registration June 30, 1942: between the ages of 18 and 20
 * Sixth Registration December 10-31, 1942: "those who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942"
 * Additional Registration between November 16 and December 31, 1943: "citizens living abroad between the ages of 18 and 45"

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Information on the registration cards may include:
 * Registrant's full name
 * Registrant's age
 * Birth date
 * Birth place
 * Residence
 * Name and address of person who will always know registrant’s address
 * Employer’s name and address
 * Physical description
 * Race

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching the collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name and or birth date of your ancestor
 * The residence or name of a family member

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Surname Range to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information and to find additional information.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information found in the record to locate a death record
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to determine an approximate birth date to find vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Use the occupation to locate business or employment records
 * Search for church records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. *If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Louisiana.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Finding a World War II (1939-1945) Veteran's Records
 * Louisiana Guided Research
 * Louisiana Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Related Selective Service Collections available from the National Archives

 * First Registration Classification Lists, 19401-945 NAID 22173101
 * Appeals of Classifications Sent to State Appeal Boards from Local Boards, 1940-1947 NAID 5034133
 * Appeals Received by State Headquarters for Review, 1940-1947 NAID 5035240

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying you sources helps others find the records you used.