Nebraska Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Union service records of soldiers who served in the First Nebraska Cavalry (Rolls 1-25), First Battalion Nebraska Cavalry (Rolls 26-29), Second Nebraska Cavalry- Nine Months (Rolls 29-41), Omaha (Rolls 41-42) and Pawnee Scouts (Rolls 42-43) and miscellaneous service cards and personal papers (Rolls . The records include abstracts of entries relating to the soldier as found in the following original records: • 2 For each military unit the service records are arranged alphabetically by the soldier's surname. The Military Unit field may also display the surname range (A-G) as found on the microfilm. This collection is a part of RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s - 1917, and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M1787. Index courtesy of Fold 3 (Previously known as Footnote.com).

Service records were kept for each soldier. Those records, or their abstracts, were compiled into individual files. Each envelope/jacket contains information and cross references to original records relating to the soldier.

This index was created to provide quick access to compiled service records. The information in this index is quite reliable. However, keep in mind that even though this index is very accurate it still may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings or misinterpretations.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Information found in these records contain the following: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the soldier
 * The approximate age of the soldier
 * The years of military service for the soldier

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
 * Search for a military pension record for the individual
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search for church, land, and probate records

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

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

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

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldier Who Served in the Organizations from the Territory of Nebraska, NARA publication, M1787
 * Nebraska / Iowa Grand Army of the Republic records, 1861-1948
 * Grand Army of the Republic. Department of Nebraska. Roster and indexes of soldiers, 1911

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933
 * United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
 * United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917
 * United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
 * Nebraska, Grand Army of the Republic, Burial Records, 1861-1948

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * compiled by Edgar S. Dudley. Roster of Nebraska volunteers from 1861 to 1869.Hastings, Nebraska : Wigton and Evans, 1888

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.