Oregon, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains the Grand Army of the Republic membership records of Union Civil War veterans for the years 1870 to 1930. The Descriptive books are arranged by Post name and number. The Descriptive books may list name, age, state of birth, residence in Oregon, occupation, date-rank-company-regiment of service and final discharge, cause of discharge, when mustered into G.A.R., status, and date of death. The collection is located at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland and is part of manuscript 1378. Oregon G.A.R. posts include: • 3

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

Digital Folder Number List
This collection contains a digital browse. Only the DGS numbers are displayed.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The information about military service

View the Images
To view images in this collection:
 * 1) Look at the Digital Folder Number List section to determine the folder/film number for the images you want to see
 * 2) Go to the Collection Browse Page
 * 3) Click the Film number to view the images

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the name, enlistment date and organization to find the soldier’s military records
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land and property records
 * Use the information found in the record to find probate records
 * Search for death or burial information in BillionGraves Index or at Find A Grave
 * If applicable, search for immigration and naturalization records as well

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

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching a nearby locality
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Oregon.
 * Oregon Guided Research
 * Oregon Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1903 | 1900-Present
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Union Civil War Soldier (1861-1865)

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Oregon Historical Society. Grand Army of the Republic descriptive books and index, 1870-1930
 * Compiled service records of Volunteer Union Soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Oregon (M1816)
 * Jane Myers, comp. Honor roll of Oregon Grand Army of the Republic, 1881-1935 : deaths reported in Oregon of members of the GAR, extracted from proceedings of the annual encampments of the Department of Oregon, Grand Army of the Republic. Cottage Grove, Oregon : Cottage Grove Genealogical Society, c1980. FHL 979.5 M2m

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Oregon, Civil War Service Records
 * United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
 * United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933
 * United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890
 * United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Roster of posts of the Department of Oregon, Grand Army of the Republic : and the department and staff officers for the year 1886
 * Robert B. Beath ; with an introduction by Lucius Fairchild, History of the Grand Army of the Republic New York, New York : Bryan, Taylor & Co., 1889, c1888

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.