Begin a search for Union records

&gt;Portal:United States Civil War

Union military units existed for every state except South Carolina and these units kept records.


 * 1) Check each state for an index to the Compiled Military Service Records. The FHL lists these indexes by state.  Search first by Locality &lt;state&gt;; then Military records - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Indexes; then alphabetically by the name of your ancestor.  Be sure to check alternate surname spellings. If your ancestor is in the index, write down the military unit.
 * 2) Look for your ancestor's service record in the Compiled Military Service Records. If you ancestor enlisted in a unit for the Union army in a southern or western state, the FHL has these records.  Search first by Locality&lt;state&gt;; then Military records - Civil War, 1861-1865; then by compiled service records of volunteer Union soliders.  If your ancestor enlisted in other states, you must request copies of the record from the National Archives.
 * 3) Search for your ancestor's pension record. Not all veterans received a pension.  Find the application or Pension numbers you need to request Union pension records (pension files).  The actual files are not microfilmed.  The indexes are online at Footnote ($) or they can be accessed in The General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 (FHL films 54757-41300).  If your ancestor was alive between 1907 and 1933, search Veteran's Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933.  Request a copy of the pension file from the National Archives.