Spain, Soldier Personal Service Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

Spain

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index to and images of military records, including Person Service Files. The original records are held by the Spain Ministry of Defense. The Personal service files are for all soldiers enlisted in the army in Spain and its territories. These files include the soldier's birth date and place, parent's names, occupation, marital status, etc. and notes on assignments fulfilled while in service. Some of these records have been indexed and are searchable as part of this collection. Additional images and indexed records will be published as they become available. The images are organized by recruitment zones and boxes. Within each recruitment zone, the files are organized alphabetically. Additional indexed records will be published as they become available.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Spanish. For help reading these records see the following guides:
 * Spanish Genealogical Word List
 * BYU Spanish Script Tutorial
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Reading Spanish Handwritten Records, Lesson 1
 * Reading Spanish Handwritten Records, Lesson 2

If you speak Spanish, the following free online lesson may be helpful to learn how to use the information in these records:
 * Registros Civiles y Parroquiales – Spanish

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


 * Given name of soldier
 * Name, type, and number of regiment
 * Squadron number
 * Name of father and mother
 * Age at enlistment, including years, months, and days


 * Birthdate, including day, month, and year
 * Birthplace, including city and province
 * Detailed physical description
 * Detailed descriptions of service by year
 * Occupation before enlistment


 * Religion of soldier
 * Awards for service
 * Rate of pay
 * Literacy of soldier
 * Names of witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Date range for the record

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?

 * When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
 * Before you move on – Get a copy of the citation of exactly where you found your ancestors record for further reference.  The image citation is available by clicking on the information tab at the bottom left of the screen where you’ve found your ancestor
 * Use the residence and names of the parents to locate other records
 * Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family
 * Compile information for every person who has the same surname as your ancestor; 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 in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify

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

 * New information is constantly being indexed, microfilmed or updated. Periodically check back and see if your ancestor’s records have been added
 * Civil records are also a good source of genealogical information. You should obtain copies of both church records and civil registration, when possible, since they do not necessarily provide the same information. For example, baptismal registers sometimes provide the names of the fathers of illegitimate children when the civil registration does not
 * There may be more than one person with the same name
 * A boundary change could have occurred and the record of your ancestor is now in a neighboring area. Search the records and indexes of neighboring cities, provinces, and regions
 * Your ancestor may have immigrated to another country. Search the records of nearby countries or immigration/emigration records
 * Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names. Transcription errors could occur in any handwritten record; also, it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an abbreviation of their name. Click here for a list of Spanish name abbreviations

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Spain.
 * 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.