Washington, Soldier Home Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of images to the records of the Washington Soldier Homes acquired from the Washington State Archives in Olympia. The records include information from the State Soldiers' Home in Orting, the State Soldiers' Colony in Orting, and the Washington Veterans' Home in Retsil. The Washington Veterans' Home is also listed as being in Port Orchard, close to Retsil. These records are arranged by file number. Includes application for admission to home, lists military service, unit, date and place of enlistment and date and place of discharge, cause of discharge, name and address of nearest relative or friend, and miscellaneous information. The collection covers the years 1891 to 1945.

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

Home records
 * Name of disabled veteran
 * Time and place of enlistment
 * Rank, company and regiment in which served
 * Time and place of discharge
 * Nature of disability
 * Date admitted to home
 * Birthplace
 * Age and physical description
 * Religion
 * Occupation
 * Residence
 * Marital status
 * Name and address of nearest relative
 * Date and cause of death
 * Pension information
 * Place of burial

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the soldier
 * Other identifying information such as age

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select  the Soldier Home
 * 2) Select the Name and number to view the images

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?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

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

 * Use the information to find other records such as birth, christening, marriage, census, church, land and death records
 * Use the occupations to find employment or military records
 * Use the information to establish a migration pattern and find additional family members

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

 * 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
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Washington.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Beginning United States World War I Research
 * Finding a World War II (1939-1945) Veteran's Records
 * Washington Guided Research
 * Washington Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1907 &#124; 1907-Present

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * Washington Soldiers' Home. Orting. Member files at the Washington Soldiers Homes, 1891-1945

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
 * United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934

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.