Virgin Islands, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in This Collection?
This collection consists of an index and images of draft registration cards of men who registered during World War II with the exception of the fourth registration during the years 1940 to 1945. This collection is part of National Archives Record Group 147, Records of the Selective Service System, 1940. Images courtesy of Ancestry.com. The event place is the residence of the registrant. Images provided by Ancestry.com.

Collection Content
These records may contain the following information:


 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Height
 * State
 * Complexion
 * Hair color
 * Race
 * Eye color
 * Event type
 * Date of registration
 * Place of residence
 * Place of employment or business
 * Name and relationship of contact
 * Image number

How Do I Search the Collection?

 * Your Ancestor’s name
 * Other identifying information such as their residence, age, names of other family members and relationships.

Search the Collection
To search this collection by name: To search the collection by name fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about those in the list to what you already know about your own ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person.

If you did not find the person you were looking for, you may need to search the collection by image. ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the “Surname Range” category which takes 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.

With either search 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.
 * 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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy 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. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the birth date or along with the residence or place of birth to locate a birth certificate and other records such as church, school, and land records.
 * The person to notify in case of emergency is usually a close relative such as a parent or spouse.
 * Use the birth date and birth place or residence to search for census records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile the entries for other individuals who have the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been also belonged to the National Guard.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

What If I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.
 * 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.
 * There is also the possibility that a family was missed in the census.

Record Finder

 * Consult the U.S. Virgin Islands Record Finder to search other records

General Information About These Records
After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The draft registration covered males ages 45 to 64. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration. The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state.

This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II.

Information on the cards was supplied by the individual but recorded by a registrar. While there was a chance of a recording error, each individual signed his card to attest that the information was correct.

Related Websites

 * NARA Catalog Description

Related Wiki Articles

 * U.S. Virgin Islands Genealogy
 * United States World War II Draft Records
 * United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical 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.