Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection names men in Iowa counties who were eligible for military service, 1862 – 1910. The two documents from the Iowa State Historical Department are: List of Potential Names and Enrollment List.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
List of Potential Names: these documents list only the men’s names. Enrollment List: these records list men who have enlisted in the military (militia). Information may include:
 * County/town
 * Date of enlistment
 * Name
 * Profession

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Individual’s name
 * Their residence

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?

 * Search for the military service record for the individual
 * Search to determine if the person had a military pension record
 * Search for vital records such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search the census records for the individual and their family
 * Use the information found to search for county records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Iowa.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Union Civil War Soldier (1861-1865)
 * Iowa Guided Research
 * Iowa Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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.