United States, Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of images of over 621,000 applications for headstones received by the Cemeterial Division of the Quartermaster General from two National Archive microfilm publications. The first publication, over 290,000 applications, covers 1925 to 1941 and is M1916. Most are for veterans of the Civil War or later. A few may cover earlier wars. The second publication, over 331,000 applications, covers 1941-1949 and is M2113. These records are part of Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group (RG) 92.

For a list of records by surnames currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

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

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content


Applications include all or part of the following:


 * Name of soldier, sailor or marine
 * Rank, company, regiment, state organization or vessel
 * Date of death
 * Emblem requested (Christian, Hebrew, None)
 * Name of cemetery with city and state of its location
 * Name and address of person making application
 * Name and address to whom headstone is being shipped

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the full name of the soldier and some other identifying information such as the death date or cemetery.

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name, fill in the requested information 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. To search the collection image by image: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select "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 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. 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 video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s headstone application, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Compare what is information is given with what you already know about your ancestor to make sure it is the correct person.

Next, look at the pieces of information given in the headstone application for new information. Add any new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use any information you already know about your ancestor, such as name, rank, company, regiment, etc., to determine previously unknown information such as date of death and cemetery.
 * Use information about religion, found on later versions of the form, to locate church and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * The name of the cemetery could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.
 * Continue to search cemetery records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
 * Compile the entries for every person with the same surname. This is especially helpful for rural areas or unusual surnames.
 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * These records are quite reliable, though there is still a chance of misinformation. For example, soldiers often falsified their ages in order to be admitted into the army.

If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following:


 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby cemeteries.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?
In the early frontier years, garrison commanders were expected to bury their dead. During the Civil War, however, the numbers of the dead became too much for them to handle. On September 11, 1861, the War Department began to take command of the responsibility of granting deceased soldiers the priviledge of a marked grave.

Most of the applications are for the Civil War and later, but some may apply to earlier wars. Approximately 10% of the forms will have two images. The applications are arranged in alphabetical order by surname, then first name. The Office of the Quartermaster General established a Cemetery Branch. This new branch was responsible for establishing, maintaining, and improving national military cemeteries.

On March 3, 1873, Congress granted burial rights in national military cemeteries to all honorably discharged veterans of the Civil War on March 3, 1873, then extended the privilege of government-provided gravestones to soldiers buried in private cemeteries on February 3, 1879.

For more information, visit the report "Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941." Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans.

Related Websites

 * Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans
 * History of Government Furnished Headstones and Markers

Related Wiki Articles

 * Cemetery Records
 * Union Cemetery Records
 * Confederate Cemetery 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
"United States, Applications for Headstones for Military Veterans, 1925-1941" database and digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 9 September 2011). William Ferrell, April 3, 1841; citing Military Records, Ferrill, William-Flesher, Max, image 24; United States Quartermaster General, Federal Archives and Records Center, Washinfgton D.C., United States.