Washington, Army National Guard Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The enlistments took place between the years 1947 and 1952. However, they include individuals born as early as 1880.

Record Description
These are records of individuals who served in the Army National Guard. They were acquired from the Washington State Archives in Olympia, Washington. The records are arranged in alphabetical order and are generally typed on preprinted forms.

The following types of records are included:


 * Enlistment
 * Service and discharge
 * Service and qualification

Record Content
The records contain the following details:


 * Name
 * Birth date and place
 * Residence
 * Occupation
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Citizenship
 * Physical description
 * Education
 * Medical information
 * Enlistment date and place
 * Discharge date, place, and reason
 * Military rank or grade
 * Name, relationship, and address of person to notify in case of emergency

How to Use the Record
To begin your search you will need to know the following:


 * Full name
 * Approximate dates of service

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. Military personnel were required to use their first given name and surname. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for their given name.

Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

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. This information will often lead you to other records.

For example:


 * Death dates may lead to death certificates, mortuary, or burial records.
 * Use the birth date or along with the residence or place of birth to locate church, and land records.
 * The person to notify in case of emergency is usually a close relative such as a parent or spouse.

You may also find these search tips helpful:


 * Compile the entries for other individuals who have the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been also belonged to the National Guard.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Record History
The National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions. The National Guard traces its history back to the earliest English colonies in North America. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias.

In 1903, important national defense legislation increased the role of the National Guard (as the militia was now called) as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army.

Why the Record Was Created
The records are designed to track and preserve the service of the individual guardsmen and to determine eligibility for post-service benefits.

Record Reliability
These records are very reliable.

Related Websites
Records of the National Guard Bureau

Related Wiki Articles

 * Washington Military Records
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
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.

A suggested format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"Washington State, Army National Guard Records, 1880-1947." FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 23 June 2011). entry for John Emmett Wallace, Medical exam, 15 April 1951; Citing Army National Guard Records, Army National Guard Enlistment Records, Box 270. 1947-1951, Wallace, John Emmett - Welk, Wallace I., image 7; Washington State Archives, Olympia Washington, United States.

Sources of Information for This Collection
Washington. State, Army National Guard Records, 1880-1947. Washington State Archives, Olympia.