Maryland, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Union service records of soldiers who served in organizations from Maryland. The records include abstracts of entries relating to the soldier as found in the following original records:


 * Muster rolls
 * Returns
 * Rosters
 * Payrolls
 * Appointment books
 * Hospital registers
 * Union prison registers and rolls
 * Parole rolls
 * Inspection reports

For each military unit, the service records are arranged alphabetically by the soldier's surname. The Military Unit field may also display the surname range (A-G) as found on the microfilm. This collection is a part of RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s - 1917, and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M384. Index courtesy of Fold 3 (previously Footnote.com). The Collection covers the years 1861 to 1865. Service records were kept for each soldier. Those records, or their abstracts, were compiled into individual files. Each envelope/jacket contains information and cross references to original records relating to the soldier.

This index was created to provide quick access to compiled service records. The information in this index is quite reliable. However, keep in mind that even though this index is very accurate it still may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings or misinterpretations.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The index to these records may include the following:
 * Soldier’s full name
 * Year(s) of service
 * Age (often estimated)
 * Rank and military unit in which served
 * Physical description
 * Occupation
 * Town, county and state of residence
 * Birthplace
 * Enlistment date and place of enlistment
 * When mustered in and when mustered out
 * NARA publication number, title, and roll number

The records are in individual files which usually include the following:


 * A jacket-envelope for each soldier including his name, rank, and unit
 * A card(s)with abstracts from original muster rolls, returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers, parole rolls, and inspection reports
 * Papers relating only to that particular soldier

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The age or other identifying information

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?

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date and find a birth record
 * Use the information to find vital records such as baptism, marriage, and death
 * Search for immigration, military, land and probate records
 * Use the information to find additional family members in census recprds
 * Search for church records

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

 * Try viewing the original record. Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives 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 in an area search
 * Try variant spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * 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 Maryland.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Union Civil War Soldier (1861-1865)
 * Maryland Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research
 * Beginning Research in United States Military 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.