Texas, World War I Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes indexes and images of military service related records (statement of service cards and applications for victory medal cards) for World War I acquired from the Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin. The collection covers the years 1917 to 1920.
 * Susan Goss Johnston " World War I Statement of Service Cards" NGS Magazine 43 (July-August, 2017):42-45

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The place and date of birth

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.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the names, age and residence to find census records including the 1910 and 1920 census. The 1930 also identifies World War I veterans.
 * Look for discharge records. Many veterans registered their discharges at the local county courthouse.
 * Look for membership applications at the local American Legion Post.
 * Look for a published military unit history.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * 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.

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 in a nearby locality
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * 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 research your family in the state of Texas.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States World War I Research
 * Texas Guided Research
 * Texas Record Finder
 * Texas Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Texas Research, 1880-Present

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Texas, World War I records, 1917-1920
 * Texas, World War I American Expeditionary Forces, deaths, 1917-1919
 * Texas, World War I Selective Service System draft registration cards, 1917-1918
 * Larry W. Luckett, edited, Bexar County, Texas remembering WWI : a genealogical collection San Antonio, Texas : San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society, ©2017 FHL 976.435 D27L

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919
 * United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940
 * United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
 * United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Willis Rowland Skillman. The A.E.F : who they were, what they did, how they did it. Philadelphia : G.W. Jacobs, ©1920
 * Hermine Scholz ; with accompanying chapter by Richard J. Sommers,  World War I manuscripts : the World War I survey Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania : U.S. Army Military History Institute, 1986
 * Gus Dittmar. "Brave men shall not die because I faltered;" : a short history of the First Officers' Training Camp, Leon Springs, Texas, May 8 - August 15, 1917, and of the First Officers' Training Camp Association of Texas. Also a roster of the graduates of the camp. San Antonio? Texas : s. n., 1967?

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.