Louisiana First Registration Draft Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of images of draft registration cards arranged numerically by local board number, then alphabetically by surname of registrant. The 4x6 cards (SSS-1 forms) cover individuals born between 1897 and 1928. The collection was located at the NARA SW Region in Fort Worth Texas. For additional information about this collection contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The cards are part of Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975.

After the United States entered World War I, a Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration. The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state For an alphabetical list of names currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

While the cards are part of a record group created between 1940 and 1945, they pertain to men born between February 17, 1897 and 1928.

The purpose of this registration was to collect information on the industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between February 17, 1897 and 1928. This draft registration was intended to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service.

Information on the cards was supplied by the individual but recorded by a registrar. While there was a chance of a recording error, each individual signed his card to attest that the information was correct.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Genealogical information on the registration cards includes:




 * Name
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace (lists town or county and state or country
 * Residence
 * Mailing address
 * Name and address of the person who will always know the registrant’s address
 * Occupation
 * Employer’s name and address
 * Marital status
 * Physical description
 * Race

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the Surname Range which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

To begin your search you will need to know the following:


 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate birth date

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.

Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records.

For example:


 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth to locate census, church, and land records.
 * Use the occupation to locate business or employment records.
 * Use the race and residence to locate ethnic and specialized records such as Indian censuses and school records.

You may also find these search tips helpful:


 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; 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 who may have been seeking the pension.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Related Wiki Articles

 * Louisiana Military Records
 * United States World War II Draft Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Louisiana, First Registration Draft Cards, compiled 1940-1945," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 23 March 2012), Evans, Herman Marion – Elliott, Willis &gt; Image 1 of 1102, Herman Marion Evans born July 15, 1909; citing Draft Cards, National Archives Southwest Region, Fort Worth, Texas.