United States, Burial Registers for Military Posts, Camps, and Stations - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index and images of burial registers for military posts, camps, and stations,1768-1921. This collection corresponds with NARA publication M2014, one roll consisting of two volumes of burials, most occurring between 1860 and 1890. The records are from Record Group 92, Records of the Quartermaster General, and are arranged by place of burial then date of death. See the descriptive pamphlet Burial Registers for Military Posts, Camps, and Stations 1768-1921 for a list of the posts, camps and stations.

The registers are arranged by the name of the military post, and thereunder usually in rough chronological order by date of burial. The burial registers primarily include soldiers of the Regular Army and Union Army (volunteers). Many civilians, usually wives or children of military personnel, are also listed, as well as some Confederate Army soldiers.

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

Burial
 * Name
 * Rank, company, regiment
 * Date of death
 * Location of grave (section and number)
 * Remarks. The remarks column may indicate the cause of death, a civilian's relationship to a soldier or removal to another cemetery. The abbreviation "HS" means "headstone." Notations such as "2903 of 1873" refer to the number and year of correspondence received by the Quartermaster General that provided the information
 * Type of grave marker, such as headboard, cross, broken stone, or marble slab
 * Name of the contractor who supplied the headstone is sometimes indicated

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search you will need to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate burial or death date

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Volume 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.

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

 * Use the name and rank, company or regiment along with the death date to obtain the individual's military records from the federal government
 * Use the burial locality and the names to find the family in census, church and land records
 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral records which often include the names and residences of other family members
 * Compile the entries for every person who has 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 of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * If you are unable to find your ancestor check for variant spellings of the surnames

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities
 * 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 that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

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.


 * Collection Citation: "United States, Burial Registers for Military Posts, Camps, and Stations,1768-1921." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing NARA microfilm publication M2014. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

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