United States, Mexican War Index and Service Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of a name index to the compiled military service records (M616) for the Mexican War and compiled service records for the states of Mississippi, (M863), Pennsylvania (M1028), Tennessee (M638), Texas (M278) and Mormon Battalion (Iowa) (M351). The records are a part of RG 94 Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917.

Record Content
Most of the service records include the following information:


 * Name of soldier
 * Name and class of dependent
 * Rank and unit in which served
 * State from which served
 * Date of filing
 * Application number
 * Certificate number
 * Type of records in file
 * NARA publication number, title, and roll number

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * Name of the soldier
 * Other identifying information such as age, birth date and place, military unit, or enlistment place

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the "Document Type" ⇒ Select the "Surname Range or Military Unit and Surname Range" this will take 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. 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.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Make a photocopy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the age and location of the military unit to find the soldier’s family in census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.
 * Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search the records of nearby military units.
 * 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.

Related Websites

 * NARA Reference Report Military Service during the Mexican War
 * Indexes to the Carded Records of Soldiers Who Served in Volunteer Organizations During the Mexican War
 * Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the Mexican War
 * National Archives Military Resources: Mexican War,1846-1848
 * Mexican War Veteran Research
 * National Archives Access to Military Service and Pension Records
 * Library of Congress Guide to the Mexican War
 * Oran Perry. Indiana in the Mexican War
 * Richard W. Welch. Michigan in the Mexican War
 * Family Link Military Records Search

Related Wiki Articles

 * United States Military Records
 * Mexican War, 1846 to 1848

Citations for 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

Image Citation: