Spain, Soldier Personal Service Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

Spain

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index to and images of military records, including Person Service Files. The original records are held by the Spain Ministry of Defense. The Personal service files are for all soldiers enlisted in the army in Spain and its territories. These files include the soldier's birth date and place, parent's names, occupation, marital status, etc. and notes on assignments fulfilled while in service. Some of these records have been indexed and are searchable as part of this collection. Additional images and indexed records will be published as they become available. The images are organized by recruitment zones and boxes. Within each recruitment zone, the files are organized alphabetically. Additional indexed records will be published as they become available.

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians. These images can be viewed at the Family History Library or a Family History Center near you.

For additional information about image restrictions, please see the Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections page.

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


 * Given name of soldier
 * Name, type, and number of regiment
 * Squadron number
 * Name of father and mother
 * Age at enlistment, including years, months, and days
 * Birthdate, including day, month, and year
 * Birthplace, including city and province
 * Detailed physical description
 * Detailed descriptions of service by year
 * Occupation before enlistment
 * Religion of soldier
 * Awards for service
 * Rate of pay
 * Literacy of soldier
 * Names of witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Date range for the record

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Recruitment Zone
 * 2) Select Box Number
 * 3) Select File 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?

 * Continue to search the index to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives. Remember that family members often appear on a soldier’s personal file
 * Use the information which has been discovered to find the individual in other records. Church records are of particular use prior to the year 1900; see the Spain Church Records page for more information

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

 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to determine which candidate is the correct person
 * Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names; transcription errors could occur in any handwritten record. Also remember that it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an abbreviation of their name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible candidates which can then be examined for matches
 * Search the records of nearby locations. While it was uncommon for an individual in this period to move more than about 20 miles from their place of birth, smaller relocations were not uncommon
 * New information is constantly being indexed, microfilmed or updated. Periodically check back to see if your ancestor’s records have been added.  You can see if the area you’ve been looking in has been recently updated by going to Historical Records Collections.  Watch for an asterisk for recently added or updated records

Record Finder
Consult the  Spain Record Finder Table to find other records

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.


 * Collection Citation: "Spain, Soldier Personal Service Files, 1835-1940." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2016. Citing Ministerio de defensa, Madrid [Ministry of Defense, Madrid].

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