United States Civil War Soldiers Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This index was culled from 6.3 million soldier records in the General Index Cards to the Compiled Military Service Records in the National Archives. This index was a joint project of the U.S. National Park Service, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), and the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU). This is an index of soldiers who served in the Civil War, 1861 to 1865.

This in an index to the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) which is a computerized database containing very basic facts about servicemen who served on both sides during the Civil War. The initial focus of the CWSS is the Names Index Project, a project to enter names and other basic information from 6.3 million soldier records in the National Archives. The facts about the soldiers were entered from records that are indexed to many millions of other documents about Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) is a cooperative effort by the National Park Service (NPS) and several other public and private partners, to computerize information about the Civil War.

The goal of the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) is to increase public understanding of this era in American history. The index was created to enable the public to make a personal link between themselves and their ancestors.

The information in the index is accurate regarding the locator information. However, any index may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Copies of compiled military service records are available from the National Archives. To request copies follow the instructions in the following link. Requesting Pre-WWI Service Records

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Soldiers index
 * Full name
 * Regiment
 * Whether Union or Confederate
 * Company
 * Soldier's rank
 * Sometimes alternate names
 * NARA publication and roll numbers

Collection Content
Sample of indexed information:

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 state and county where your ancestor lived

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?

 * If your ancestor was a union soldier, he may have service or pension records at the National Archives
 * If your ancestor was a confederate soldier, he may have service or pension records in the state archives
 * Compile the entries for other individuals who have the same surname. 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 also belonged to the National Guard
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

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

Related FamilySearch Collections
NARA Ainsworth List T817, Civil War, Rolls 44-81

Related Digital Books

 * Connecticut Roster
 * Massachusetts Roster 8 volumes Catalog Entry
 * Minnesota Roster
 * New Hampshire Roster
 * Ohio Roster 12 Volumes Catalog Entry
 * Pennsylvania Roster volumes Catalog Entry
 * Vermont Roster

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 Soldiers Index, 1861-1865." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing multiple microfilm publications, Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

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