United States, YMCA World War I Service Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States Minnesota 

What is in the Collection?
This collection consists of digital images of 4x6 cards listing names of individuals who served with the YMCA in supporting troops during World War I through the National War Council. The collection covers the years 1917 to 1919 and is complete through the surname "Wilson."

This collection of index cards was kept by the Kautz Family YMCA Library at the University of Minnesota. For details about the collection see the War Records Collection Finding Aid.

Collection Contents
The information found varies by card. You may find any of the following:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Residence or mailing address
 * Dates of service
 * Nature of their service
 * Place of service
 * Occupation
 * Commendations
 * Other remarks or biographical information

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * The name of your ancestor
 * Some other identifying information such as age, birth information and residence

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 those in the list to what you already know about your own ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person.

If you did not find the person you were looking for, you may need to search the collection by image. ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Surname Range" which takes you to the images

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

With either search keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the person's age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the birth date and place to search for a birth record.
 * Use the person's age and location to find family in census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may also have registered for the draft.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, Now What?

 * 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.
 * Search the military records at Fold3

Citing this Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation: