North Carolina, First Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of a name index and images of draft registration cards of men who registered during World War II with the exception of the Fourth Registration (see General Information below). It covers the years 1940 to 1945 and includes information of young men aged 18-44. The event place is the home of the registrant. This collection is part of the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA) [https://www.archives.gov/san-francisco/finding-aids/holdings-guide-05.html#147 Records of the Selective Service System. 1940– Record Group 147]: Records of the Selective Service. Images are courtesy of Ancestry.com($).

The Selective Service Act of 1940 required that men between the ages of 21–36 register for the draft. This was the United States' first peacetime draft. The draft was run like a lottery with those chosen required to serve for 12 months. During the summer of 1941, the draft was extended for all men who had reached their 18th birthday up to those who had not yet reached the 45th birthday—up until the day before their 45th birthday. The length of service was also extended to 18 months, but could be extended further if national security required.

In December of 1941, after the United States had entered World War II, the draft was again extended. All men ages 22–44 became responsible for service in the military and all men ages 18–64 were required to register for the draft. Time of service was extended to six months after the war ended. This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II. Draft registration cards were filled out at the registrant’s home and then mailed to the Selective Service Board. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration.


 * See alsoUnited States World War II Draft Registration Records - Coverage Table

World War II Registration Dates
 * First Registration October 16, 1940: males ages 21 to 35 "within the continental United States"
 * Second Registration July 1, 1941: males "who had reached 21 sine the first registration"
 * Third Registration February 16, 1942: between the ages of 20 and 45 "who had not previously registered"
 * Fourth Registration April 27, 1942: between the ages of 45 and 65 "not eligible for military service" This registration is not included in this collection.
 * Fifth Registration June 30, 1942: between the ages of 18 and 20
 * Sixth Registration December 10-31, 1942: "those who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942"

The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state. Draft registration cards exist for 40 states and for Puerto Rico. For New York, cards exist only for the boroughs of New York City.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
These records may contain the following information: • 3

Sample Images
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How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor.
 * The birth date of your ancestor.

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century
 * Look at the 1930 and 1940 censuses to identify names and ages of additional family members

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of North Carolina.
 * North Carolina Guided Research
 * North Carolina Record Finder
 * North Carolina Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step North Carolina Research, 1880-Present

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FamilySearch Catalog

 * Jonathan Gawne. Finding your father's war : a practical guide to researching and understanding service in the World War II US Army. Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania : Casemate, c2006 FS Library 973 M27g
 * Debra Johnson Knox. World War II military records : a family historian's guide. Spartanburg, South Carolina : MIE Publishing, c2003 FS Library 973 M27kw - Chapter 3 - WWII Draft Records, pp. 47-58
 * Richard G. Wood, comp., Records of the Selective Service System, 1940-47. Washington : The National Archives, 1951

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * compiled and revised 1946, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information, Navy Department. Combat connected naval casualties, World War II, by states : U. S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard. 2 volumes. Washington, D.C. : GPO, 1946

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