Arkansas First Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of index and images of draft registration cards (SSS-1 forms) covering a special classification of individuals born between 1897 and 1928.The collection was located at the NARA SW region in Fort Worth Texas. For additional information about this collection contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The cards are part of Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service System,1926-1975. Currently, the index records for this collection are incomplete. Additional records will be added as they are completed.

In August of 2013, the National Archives replaced the ARC – Archival Research Catalog - with the OPA – Online Public Access. ARC identifiers will still work to access the collections in OPA.

For additional information about this collection contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The cards are part of Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service System,1926-1975: National Personnel Records Center

For an alphabetical list of records currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Record Content
The records usually include:


 * Full name of draftee
 * Residence at time of registration
 * Age at registration
 * Date and place of birth
 * Citizenship of country
 * Name of wife, father or mother
 * Residence of that person
 * Employer's name
 * Employer's place of business
 * Signature of Registrant
 * Name of person who will always know your address - this is often a spouse or relative
 * Description of your ancestor &amp; their signature (on the back of the card)

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * The place where the event occurred
 * The name and surname of the person
 * The approximate date of the event
 * The name of the parents or spouse

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

To search this collection image by image ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Surname Range" category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.


 * If you do not find your ancestor, look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby states.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals who may be related to your ancestor

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection, see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites
National Archives and Records Administration

Related Wiki Articles
Arkansas Military Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
Citations for individual image records are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the "Show Citation" box: Arkansas First Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.