Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

''United States Genealogy Texas’’

What Is in the Collection?
The collection consists of a name index and images of draft registration cards of men who registered during World War II with the exception of the fourth registration. It covers the years 1940 to 1945. This collection is part of National Archives Record Group 147, Records of the Selective Service System, 1940. Images courtesy of Ancestry. The event place is the residence of the registrant. The Texas, World War II Draft Cards collection contains a name index and images of draft registration cards filled out between 1940–1945 by young men aged 18–44. This collection is part of the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA) [https://www.archives.gov/san-francisco/finding-aids/holdings-guide-05.html#147 Records of the Selective Service System. 1940– Record Group 147]: Records of the Selective Service. Images are courtesy of [https://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com}($). The event place is the home the registrant.

General Information About Draft Registration Cards

The Selective Service Act of 1940 required that men aged between 21–36 register for the draft. This was the United States first peacetime draft. The draft was run like a lottery with those chosen required to serve for 12 months. During the summer of 1941, the draft was extended to all men who had reached their 18th birthday to those who had not yet reached the 45th birthday—up until the day before their 45th birthday. The length of service was also extended to 18 months, but could be extended further if national security required. In December of 1941, after the United States had entered World War II, the draft was again extended. All men 22–44 became responsible for service in the military and all men 18–64 were required to register for the draft. Time of service was extended to six months after the war ended. Draft registration cards were filled out at the registrant’s home and then mailed to the Selective Service Board.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Draft registrations may contain the following information:
 * Name
 * Residence
 * Mailing address
 * Telephone number
 * Age
 * Birth place and date
 * Name and address of person who will always know your address
 * Employer's name and address
 * Address of employment or business
 * Registrant's signature
 * Race
 * Physical description
 * Local board number, city, county and state
 * Registrar's signature
 * Date of registration

How Do I Search the Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name
 * Approximate age or birth date

View the Images
You will be able to search this collection once it is published. View images in this collection by visiting the 
 * 1) Select Surname Range

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.

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 Who I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Copy the citation below, in case you need to find this record again later.
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate or immigration records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses. Witnesses were often family members.

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

 * 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. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

Citing This Collection
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