Washington, Army National Guard Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in the Collection?
These are records of individuals who served in the Army National Guard. They were acquired from the Washington State Archives in Olympia, Washington. The records are arranged in alphabetical order and are generally typed on pre-printed forms. The enlistments took place between the years 1937 and 1952. However, they include individuals born as early as 1880.

The following types of records are included:
 * Enlistment
 * Service and discharge
 * Service and qualification

The National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions. The National Guard traces its history back to the earliest English colonies in North America. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias. In 1903, important national defense legislation increased the role of the National Guard (as the militia was now called) as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army. The records are designed to track and preserve the service of the individual guardsmen and to determine eligibility for post-service benefits.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 3

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The location or date of the event

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Washington.
 * Washington Guided Research
 * Washington Record Finder
 * Washington Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1907 &#124; 1907-Present

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Jonathan Gawne. Finding your father's war : a practical guide to researching and understanding service in the World War II US Army. Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania : Casemate, c2006 FHL 973 M27g
 * Debra Johnson Knox. World War II military records : a family historian's guide. Spartanburg, South Carolina : MIE Publishing, c2003 FHL 973 M27kw - Chapter 3 - WWII Draft Records, pp. 47-58
 * Washington, World War II draft registration cards, 1940-1947
 * Washington, military records : World War II 4th draft registration cards, 1942
 * Washington, military enlistment records, 1890-1946
 * Washington, Army National Guard enlistment records, 1947-1955

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
 * United States, World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1945
 * United States World War II Prisoners of War of the Japanese, 1941-1945
 * United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Fourth Registration)

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.