United States, War of 1812 Index to Service Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This is a consolidated index to the compiled military service records for soldiers who served in the War of 1812, located in the National Archives. The index is arranged in alphabetical order by surname.

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and the British Empire, including Great Britain, Canada, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. The Treaty of Ghent, which became effective on February 18, 1815, ended the war. With the signing of the treaty the U.S. and Britain recognized the pre-war boundaries between the United States and Canada, and gave the United States fishing rights to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

This index covers records for the years 1812 to 1815. It was created as a rapid access to individuals who served during the War of 1812. These records are generally reliable.

Record Content
The index includes the following information:


 * Name of soldier
 * Rank, position or job
 * Military unit in which served
 * State of enlistment
 * References and notes

How to Use the Record
To search for your ancestors in the index it is helpful to know the following:


 * Full names
 * Approximate dates of service

Search the Collection
To search the collection ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select "Surname Range" 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.

The following suggestions may help you in your search:


 * Use the regiment and state to locate other military records such as enlistment or pension records
 * Use the regiment and state to locate census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile a list of other personnel with the same surname. This is especially helpful if the surname is unusual.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.

Related Websites

 * NARA Carded Records Showing Military Service Collection Description
 * Genealogical Records of the War of 1812
 * National Archives Military Resources: War of 1812
 * National Archives Waltham, MA

Related Wiki Articles

 * United States, Index to War of 1812 Pension Application Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * United States in the War of 1812
 * US Military Service Records

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. 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. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection Citation:

Image citation: