Maine, State Archive Collections - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1790 to 1966.

The collection includes the following various county records:


 * Military 1775 to 1865
 * Naturalization and citizenship 1790 to 1913
 * Court 1636 to 1929
 * Land 1794 to 1964

Most of the records are military records and are handwritten on preprinted forms.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

The records in this collection are for the years 1790 to 1966.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Civil Ward Cards of Maine include the following information:


 * Name, age, rank and company of soldier
 * Whether service was in the infantry, cavalry, or heavy artillery
 * Birth place and current residence
 * Marital status
 * Physical description
 * Date of enlistment
 * Date and reason for leaving service
 * Record of previous service

Maine Draft Cards required the following information:


 * Name, age and current residence
 * Date and place of birth
 * Race, occupation and marital status

World War I Military Records include the following information:


 * Name and residence
 * Date and place of birth
 * Rank and military unit
 * Marital status
 * Date and place where soldier entered military service
 * Date and place where soldier left military service
 * Person to be notified in case of an emergency

Enlistment Lists of Volunteers included the following information:


 * Name and age
 * Date of enlistment
 * Residence and occupation
 * Marital status
 * Additional remarks, comments

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page, ⇒ Select the State, County, Town ⇒ Select the Record Category ⇒ Select the Record Description which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

The records in this collection are arranged by type of record and then by date. To begin searching these records you need to know the following:


 * The type of event
 * The place where the event occurred
 * The approximate date the event occurred
 * The name of the individual or individuals such as the names of the soldier, the deceased, or grantor and grantees

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. 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 age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the names, ages and residence church and census records.

Related Websites

 * Maine State Archives
 * Maine State Library

Related Wiki Articles

 * Maine Archives and Libraries
 * Maine Court Records
 * Maine Land and Property
 * Maine Military Records
 * Maine Naturalization and Citizenship

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Maine, State Archive Collections 1790-1966," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18256-52033-18?cc=1877829&amp;wc=MMMW-7ZG:1106504665https : accessed 7 August 2012), Maine, State Archive Collections &gt; Maine, York County &gt; Court Records &gt; Court of General Sessions of the Peace vol. 07B 1718-1727 &gt; image 65 of 150, David Libby, 1723; citing court records, Maine State Archives, Augusta, Maine, United States.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.