Utah, Territorial Militia Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States Utah

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, ultimate rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians. The Utah Territorial Militia collection is available to the Family History Library, FamilySearch Centers, and to members of the supporting organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The images can be viewed at the Family History Library and a FamilySearch Center near you.

Record Description
Index to selected militia records including muster and payrolls, rosters and rank rolls from Series 2210 Territorial Militia Records, 1849-1877 from the Utah State Archives.The militia was also known as the Nauvoo Legion. The collection consists of correspondence,orders,court-marital records,muster rolls,pay rolls,rank rolls, reports and returns, from local military districts and administrative matters of the legions officers. The records may reference local Indian wars including Walker and Black Hawk Wars, the Utah War, the Civil War service of the Lot Smith Company during the Civil War protecting the mail and telegraph stations along the Overland Trail.

The collection is arranged by document number. A name and subject card index to document no. 1592 is available online at the Utah State Archives. Territorial Militia Records Indexes

Record Content
The information varies with each type of record. Any of the following may be included:


 * Name
 * Birth date
 * Birth place
 * Mustering in date and place
 * Discharge date and place
 * Details of service such as: companies served in, battles fought in, or injuries sustained
 * Captures and confinements in prison
 * Unit, Rank, and offices held
 * Pensions, bounties, and payments received
 * Death date and place
 * Burial date and place
 * Names of close relatives and/or friends
 * Photographs
 * Date war sketch was made
 * Author of sketch
 * Injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and any nature of disability
 * Salary paid

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the name of your ancestor and some other identifying information such as their birthplace, unit name or residence.


 * Full name
 * Residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name:

Fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them 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.
 * 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.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select "Document Number Range, Date Range, Description" 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. 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. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records. 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.
 * Use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Death dates may lead to death certificates, mortuary, or burial records.
 * 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.
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; 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 seeking the pension.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.

Related Websites

 * Utah State Archives Territorial Militia Records
 * FamilySearch Catalog Collection Description
 * Access Genealogy
 * Utah Genealogy Records
 * Ancestor Hunt

Related Wiki Articles

 * Utah
 * Utah Military Records

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: