United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
While the cards were created on April 27, 1942, they pertain to men born on or between April 27, 1877, and February 16, 1897.

How to Use the Records
Use draft registration cards to learn an exact birth date and birthplace for a male ancestor. Use this information to then locate other record types, such as vital records.

Record Description
The draft registration cards are preprinted forms with information recorded on the front and back. Cards for the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were filmed with the front of one card on the same image as the back of the next card in the sequence.

Record Content


Genealogical information on the registration cards includes:


 * Name
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace (lists town or county and state or country)
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Mailing address
 * Name and address of the person who will always know the registrant’s address
 * Place of employment or business
 * Employer’s name and address
 * Race

Record History
After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The fourth draft registration covered males ages 45 to 64. 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. Draft registration cards exist for 40 states and for Puerto Rico. For New York, cards exist only for the boroughs of New York City. The cards for the following eight states were destroyed:


 * Alabama
 * Florida
 * Georgia
 * Kentucky
 * Mississippi
 * North Carolina
 * South Carolina
 * Tennessee

These records cover about 10 percent of the population.

Why This Collection Was Created?
This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II.

Record Reliability
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.

Related Web Sites
Online World War II Records and Indexes

Related Wiki Articles
United States, World War II Military Records

Sources of Information for This Collection:
"United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942." Database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). From the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. FHL microfilm, Family History Library Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also 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: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection

 * "United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942." index and images, FamilySearch: (https//www.familysearch.org]: accessed April 8, 2011). entry for John Thomas Peterson; citing Draft Cards, FHL microfilm 4147487; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
 * "United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Image Browse)" index and images, FamilySearch:(https//www.familysearch.org: accessed April 8, 2011). entry for George Bailey; citing Draft Cards, Indiana, B. Bailey, George, Image 1; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.