Louisiana, Second Registration Draft Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
While the cards are part of a record group created between 1948 and 1959, they pertain to men born between 1922 and 1940.

These draft registration cards cover individuals born between 1922 and 1940. The collection is arranged numerically by local board number, then alphabetically by surname of registrant. The collection was acquired from the National Archives Southwest Region in Fort Worth, Texas.

For an alphabetical list of names currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

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 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

The purpose of this registration was to collect information on the industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between 1922 and 1940. 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.

Record Content
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
 * Any active duty in armed forces
 * Any membership in a reserve unit
 * Name of local board

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


 * The name of your ancestor
 * His state of residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

To search the collection image by image ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Local Board Number and Surname Range" which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image 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.

Search Hint: Local Registration Board number assignments appear to be in the alphabetical order of the Parish in which they reside, from Arcadia Parish (LB#1) through Sabine Parish (LB# 53), with larger parishes occupying several boards; Example: Orleans Parish (LB# 39~45).

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.

Using the Information
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.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * 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 Websites

 * National Archive Military Records
 * WWII Draft Registrations

Related Wiki Articles

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

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.