United States, YMCA World War I Service Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of digital images of about 26,000 4x6 "service punch cards" listing names of individuals who served with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in supporting troops during World War I through the National War Council. The collection covers the years 1917 to 1919 and is complete through the surname "Wilson." About 20% of the workers were women.

This collection of index cards was kept by the Kautz Family YMCA Library at the University of Minnesota. For details about the collection see the World War I-Related Records Summary. Service Punch Cards, 1917-1919

FamilySearch Digital Library - Internet Archive
 * Service with Fighting Men. An Account of the Work of the American Young Men's Christian Associations in the World War. Volume 1 New York: Association Press, 1922
 * Service with Fighting Men. An Account of the Work of the American Young Men's Christian Associations in the World War. Volume 2 New York: Association Press, 1922
 * Summary of World War Work of the American YMCA
 * Hand Book of American YMCA, AEF
 * Manual of Instructions YMCA Work Work Fund November 11-19, 1917

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 3 It should be noted the cards were different colors and had different designations: For more detailed information please see Service Punch Cards
 * Men were listed on buff cards
 * Women were listed on white cards
 * African American Y/N were listed on blue cards

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age of your ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The names of family members and their relationships

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
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States Research Tips and Strategies

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

Family History Library Holdings

 * United States, YMCA World War I service cards, 1917-1919

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.

Estados Unidos, Cartões de Serviço YMCA da I Guerra Mundial (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)