North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Confederate service records of soldiers who served in organizations from North Carolina. 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 109, War Department Collection of Confederate Records and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M270. Index courtesy of fold3 (previously Footnote.com).

Service records were kept for each Confederate 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. The records cover the years 1861 to 1865. 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 originals of any papers relating only to the particular soldier. The index to these records may contain all of the following:


 * Soldier’s full name
 * Rank, company and unit in which served
 * Year(s) of service
 * Age (sometimes estimated)
 * Date and place of enlistment
 * By whom enlisted
 * Type of records in file
 * NARA publication number, title, and roll number

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


 * A jacket-envelope for each soldier, labeled with his name, rank, and the unit in which he served
 * A card (or cards) with abstracts of entries from original muster rolls, returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers, Union prison registers and rolls, parole rolls, and inspection reports

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate age of your ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The years your ancestor served in the military

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s service 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.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * 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 information found to search additional state and county records

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby states
 * Consult the North Carolina Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of North Carolina.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Confederate Civil War Soldier (1861–1865)
 * North Carolina Guided Research
 * North Carolina Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * John W. Moore, comp. Roster of North Carolina troops in the War between the States. 4 volumes. Raleigh, N. C. : Edwards, Broughton & Co., 1882.
 *  History Records Survey Roster (index) of North Carolina troops in the War between the States.
 * Applications for Confederate soldier's and widow's pensions, 1885-ca. 1953

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections
North Carolina Confederate Pensions

Related Digital Books

 * Louis H. Manarin, comp. A guide to military organizations and installations, North Carolina, 1861-1865.
 * Walter Clark, Histories of the several regiments and battalions from North Carolina in the great war, 1861-1865. 5 volumes. Raleigh, North Carolina : E.M. Uzzell, 1901

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.