South Dakota, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of images of G.A.R post records from the Dakota and South Dakota Departments for the years 1861-1941. The collection includes


 * Membership rosters
 * Attendance registration books of various encampments (some include Women's Relief Corps.)
 * Post descriptive books
 * Member deaths
 * Adjutant reports
 * Muster rolls
 * Lists of officers
 * Applications to form a post
 * Reunion rosters

The descriptive books are arranged by post name and number. Most records include item number, name, post name and number. The collection was acquired from the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Membership
 * Member's name
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Birthplace
 * Occupation
 * Enlistment or muster in date
 * Discharge date


 * Rank
 * Company
 * Regiment
 * Cause of discharge
 * Death date
 * Organization served in
 * Remarks

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the soldier
 * The birthplace of the soldier
 * The organization in which the soldier served

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Box Number and Record Description 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?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

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

 * Use the name, enlistment date and organization to find the soldier’s military records
 * Search for a military pension records
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search for the family in census records

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 South Dakota.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Union Civil War Soldier (1861-1865)
 * South Dakota Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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.