Oregon, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains the Grand Army of the Republic membership records of Union Civil War veterans for the years 1870 to 1930. The Descriptive books are arranged by Post name and number. The Descriptive books may list name, age, state of birth, residence in Oregon, occupation, date-rank-company-regiment of service and final discharge, cause of discharge, when mustered into G.A.R., status, and date of death. The collection is located at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland and is part of manuscript 1378. Oregon G.A.R. posts include:


 * Meade Post 2
 * Lincoln-Garfield Post 3
 * Sumner Post 12
 * US Grant Post 17
 * Hancock Post 21
 * General Compson Post 22
 * Shepardston, Post 25
 * Gettysburg Post 33
 * Reuben Wilson Post 38
 * Arlington Post 40
 * M.A. Ross Post 42
 * F. B. Sprague Post 46
 * Iuka Post 48
 * Benjamin F Butler Post 57
 * John Bucher Post 70
 * Wm P Dickinson Post 78

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

Membership
 * Member's name
 * Residence
 * Birthplace
 * Enlistment date
 * Discharge date
 * Rank
 * Organization served in
 * Remarks

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The information about military service

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 vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land and property records
 * Use the information found in the record to find probate records
 * Search for death or burial information in BillionGraves Index or at Find A Grave
 * If applicable, search for immigration and naturalization records as well

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 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 in your research for your family in the state of Oregon.
 * 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)
 * Oregon Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1903 | 1900-Present

Related Digital Books

 * Roster of Posts 1886 Department of Oregon Grand Army of the Republic

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.