Maine, Veterans Cemetery Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of a card file of veteran cemetery records located at the Maine State Archives. The cards are arranged by war then alphabetical by surname. The index cards may contain dates of birth, death and place of death and burial. The Index covers King Philip's War through World War I. The collection covers the years 1676 to 1918.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Cemetery
 * Name of deceased
 * Residence of deceased
 * Date and place of birth
 * Date and place of death
 * War in which veteran served
 * Cause of death
 * Date and place of burial
 * Next of kin
 * Date and place of enlistment
 * Branch of service, rank and unit of service
 * Discharge date and place
 * Cemetery record includes grave number, book number and page of record
 * Source of information

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The person’s name
 * Other identifying information such as the approximate burial date and place or death date

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?
Once you have located your ancestor’s card, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Burial records are often brief so it can be easy confuse individuals. Compare what information is given with what you already know about your ancestor to make sure it is the correct person. Next, look at the pieces of information given in the burial record for new information. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the birth date or year to search for birth records
 * Use the birth date along with relative’s names to find the family in census records
 * Use the locality and relative’s names to locate church and land records
 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral records which often include the names and residences of other family members
 * Compile the entries for every person who has 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 of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

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

 * 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
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Maine.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning War of 1812 Research
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Maine Guided Research
 * Cemeteries
 * Sexton Records
 * Maine Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Cemetery index of veterans
 * Veterans cemetery records
 * Deaths of World War II veterans of Maine
 * Maine, tombstone inscriptions, surname index, 1620-2014
 * Maine State Archives. Cemetery index of veterans
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. MOCA cemetery inscription project (MIP) : series one
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. Maine Old Cemetery Association cemetery inscription project : series two
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. Maine Old Cemetery Association cemetery inscription project : series three
 * M.O.C.A. Revolutionary War soldier burial place. Arranged by place of burial
 * M.O.C.A. Revolutionary War soldiers - birthplaces. Arranged by birthplace
 * compiled by the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution ; Mrs. James J. Lucas, state regent, Grave locations of Revolutionary soldiers and sailors of Maine and Massachusetts

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.