Pennsylvania World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes a name index and images of draft registration cards of men born between 1896 and 1929 who registered during World War II with the exception of the fourth registration. This collection is part of National Archives Record Group 147, Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975. The event place is the residence of the registrant. The collection is arranged alphabetically by the name of the registrant. Images courtesy of Ancestry.

The Selective Service Act of 1940 required that men between the ages of 21–36 register for the draft. This was the United States' first peacetime draft. The draft was run like a lottery with those chosen required to serve for 12 months. During the summer of 1941, the draft was extended for all men who had reached their 18th birthday up to those who had not yet reached the 45th birthday—up until the day before their 45th birthday. The length of service was also extended to 18 months, but could be extended further if national security required.

In December of 1941, after the United States had entered World War II, the draft was again extended. All men ages 22–44 became responsible for service in the military and all men ages 18–64 were required to register for the draft. Time of service was extended to six months after the war ended. This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II. Draft registration cards were filled out at the registrant’s home and then mailed to the Selective Service Board.


 *  Coverage Table
 * United States World War II Draft Registration Records - Coverage Table

World War II Registration Dates

 * First Registration October 16, 1940: males ages 21 to 35 "within the continental United States"
 * Second Registration July 1, 1941: males "who had reached 21 sine the first registration"
 * Third Registration February 16, 1942: between the ages of 20 and 45 "who had not previously registered"
 * Fourth Registration April 27, 1942: between the ages of 45 and 65 "not eligible for military service"] This registration is not included in this collection.
 * Fifth Registration June 30, 1942: between the ages of 18 and 20
 * Sixth Registration December 10-31, 1942: "those who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942"
 * Additional Registration between November 16 and December 31, 1943: "citizens living abroad between the ages of 18 and 45"

What Can these Records Tell Me?
These records may contain the following information: • 2

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * At least one other piece of information

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.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information to find other records such as birth, christening, census, land and death records.
 * Use the occupation to locate business and employment records.
 * Use the information to find additional family members.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family.
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality in an area search.
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name.
 * Not every who registered was drafted into the service.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Pennsylvania.
 * Pennsylvania Guided Research
 * Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Pennsylvania Research, 1880-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 FS Library 973 M27g
 * Debra Johnson Knox. World War II military records : a family historian's guide Spartanburg, South Carolina : MIE Publishing, c2003 FS Library 973 M27kw
 * Pennsylvania, World War II draft registration cards, 1940-1947
 * S. K. Stevens, Marvin W. Schlegel and Joseph T. Kingston, Pennsylvania's second year at war; December 7, 1942 - December 7, 1943 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1945 FS Library 974.8 M2sk
 * Adjutant General for War Department Bureau of Public Relations. World War II honor list of dead and missing, state of Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. : Government Printing Office (United States), 1946

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Young American patriots : the youth of Pennsylvania in World War II Richmond, Virginia : National Publishing Co., 1945

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information.