United States, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Union service records of Confederate prisoners of war who enlisted and served in the 1st - 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The soldiers enlisted from the prison camps in Point Lookout,Maryland; Columbus, Ohio and Alton, Camp Douglas, Camp Morton and Rock Island, in Illinois. The records include abstracts of entries relating to the soldier as found in the following original records:


 * Muster rolls
 * Returns
 * Rosters
 * Payrolls
 * Appointment books
 * Hospital registers
 * Union prison registers and rolls
 * Parole rolls
 * Inspection reports

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, 1780's-1917, and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M1017. Index courtesy of Fold3 (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. The records cover the years 1864 to 1866.

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?
The following information may be found in these records:

Service
 * Jacket name
 * Soldier’s full name
 * Year
 * Age (often estimated)
 * Military unit served in
 * Type of records in file
 * NARA publication number, title, and roll number

Collection Content
The records are in individual files which usually include the following:


 * A jacket-envelope for each soldier, labeled with his name, rank, and the unit in which he served
 * A card (or cards) with abstracts of entries from original muster rolls, returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers, parole rolls, and inspection reports
 * The originals of any papers relating only to the particular soldier

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search you need to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age of your ancestor
 * The military unit in which your ancestor served
 * The residence 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?

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date
 * Use the age and location of the military unit to find the soldier’s family in census, church, and land records

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
 * 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 Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1864-1866." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. From "Compiled Service Records of Former Confederate Soldiers who Served in the 1st through 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments, 1864-1866." Database. Fold3.com. http://www.fold3.com : n.d. Citing NARA microfilm publication M1017. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1978.