Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consistes of a register of Pennsylvania military volunteers from the 1st - 215th regiments from the Adjutant General's Office for the years 1861-1865. Microfilm of original records is located in the Pennsylvania State Archives. Some regiments are missing or not in numerical order.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Name of volunteer
 * Age
 * Rank
 * When and where joined

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of birth

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.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information to find other vital records such as marriage and death
 * Search for military records
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Search for land and probate
 * Search church records for additional information

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

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Pennsylvania.
 * Pennsylvania Guided Research
 * Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Pennsylvania Research, 1880-Present

Family History Library Holdings

 * Civil War Veterans Card File, 1861-1866.
 * Names of sick and wounded soldiers of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1866
 * Grand Army of the Republic Collection, Descriptive Books, 1866-1956
 * Union Provost Marshal General's Bureau. Descriptive list of deserters from various regiments of Pennsylvania State volunteers, 1860-1865

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1865-1936
 * United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
 * United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938

Digital Books

 * Samuel P. Bates. ''History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. 5 volumes. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : B. Singerly, 1869-1871

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