Getting to the Root of Civil War Research
Brenda Kellow
February 06, 2011
The Civil War touched families in a manner not previously experienced. It was family versus family in many cases. It continues as a focal point for historian and genealogical research.
Research begins with the males of the family. Disproving an old myth rarely did ten year-olds serve as drummers. Most were 17 and up and born the 1840s, but seldom will you find those with birthdays in the 1820s or 1830s. Even rarer did men serve that were born in the late 1700s. Begin by checking the 1860 census for those born in this timeframe for eligibility. Some were dead by 1870 and 1880. The 1890 census partially burned, but it is necessary to examine the surviving census that remains for a particular county and state since it asks for military history. Texas has a few that were not destroyed, regrettably not for Collin, but of Kaufman County.
Be aware that many names in military rosters have multiple listings. Others may be misspelled or listed with initials only, necessitating wildcard searches. The Conscription Act of 1862 made all white males eligible for service with few exceptions such as poor health, widowers with small children, etc. These changed several times over the course of the war. They could also hire another man to take his place. Those not wanting to serve from the Union could pay someone else $300 to take his place.
Let the facts lead you to the soldier, certainly logical thinking is always important in research. Because of the great numbers serving on both sides, your prospects are good. The exact number who served in the war cannot be determined, but there are educated estimates. There were about 180,000 African Americans; maybe as many as three to four million served in the Union Army not counting the numbers in the Navy and Marines. Possibly as many as one and one half million served in the Confederate Army. Although the numbers serving on either side is great it is important to remember that not all the population served at the same time, but alternated in and out of service for various reasons.
You will encounter obstacles. You may have a cold or warm start. You can’t find which side your ancestor served on by studying maps. Search the family for their traditions, memorabilia and research done by other researchers. Check rosters of ancestor lineage societies. Some served only as long as three months while others are listed as absent without leave (AWOL). That did not have the same connotation it does today. During those times, it could simply mean he went home because of a death, harvest crops, or another emergency.
A great place to begin your research is the free site of the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm and the National Archives, www.archives.gov/research. Another is www.CivilWarData.com. It isn’t free but you can obtain a Visitor’s Pass for $10. Broadfoot Books has two reference works comprising 49 volumes: The Roster of Union Soldiers 1861-1865 and The Roster of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865. Footnote.com and Ancestry.com have a large database of enlistees. Both of these are by subscription, but they are free to use in the Genealogy Library. There are microfilms for loan on this subject at the Family History Library.
The Civil War began 150 years ago but it continues to play an important part in our history as well as in the families of those who served. Genealogy research on this war helps us understand the importance of the people living during that tumultuous time. For this reason, look for more articles on Civil War research in this column.
COLLIN COLLEGE CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICANS: College Collage celebrates National African American month during the month of February with a series of free events on African Americans in the Civil War. For more information go to their website, http://www.collin.edu/news/PressReleases/2010-2011/20110120aaHistoryMonth.html.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
Research begins with the males of the family. Disproving an old myth rarely did ten year-olds serve as drummers. Most were 17 and up and born the 1840s, but seldom will you find those with birthdays in the 1820s or 1830s. Even rarer did men serve that were born in the late 1700s. Begin by checking the 1860 census for those born in this timeframe for eligibility. Some were dead by 1870 and 1880. The 1890 census partially burned, but it is necessary to examine the surviving census that remains for a particular county and state since it asks for military history. Texas has a few that were not destroyed, regrettably not for Collin, but of Kaufman County.
Be aware that many names in military rosters have multiple listings. Others may be misspelled or listed with initials only, necessitating wildcard searches. The Conscription Act of 1862 made all white males eligible for service with few exceptions such as poor health, widowers with small children, etc. These changed several times over the course of the war. They could also hire another man to take his place. Those not wanting to serve from the Union could pay someone else $300 to take his place.
Let the facts lead you to the soldier, certainly logical thinking is always important in research. Because of the great numbers serving on both sides, your prospects are good. The exact number who served in the war cannot be determined, but there are educated estimates. There were about 180,000 African Americans; maybe as many as three to four million served in the Union Army not counting the numbers in the Navy and Marines. Possibly as many as one and one half million served in the Confederate Army. Although the numbers serving on either side is great it is important to remember that not all the population served at the same time, but alternated in and out of service for various reasons.
You will encounter obstacles. You may have a cold or warm start. You can’t find which side your ancestor served on by studying maps. Search the family for their traditions, memorabilia and research done by other researchers. Check rosters of ancestor lineage societies. Some served only as long as three months while others are listed as absent without leave (AWOL). That did not have the same connotation it does today. During those times, it could simply mean he went home because of a death, harvest crops, or another emergency.
A great place to begin your research is the free site of the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm and the National Archives, www.archives.gov/research. Another is www.CivilWarData.com. It isn’t free but you can obtain a Visitor’s Pass for $10. Broadfoot Books has two reference works comprising 49 volumes: The Roster of Union Soldiers 1861-1865 and The Roster of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865. Footnote.com and Ancestry.com have a large database of enlistees. Both of these are by subscription, but they are free to use in the Genealogy Library. There are microfilms for loan on this subject at the Family History Library.
The Civil War began 150 years ago but it continues to play an important part in our history as well as in the families of those who served. Genealogy research on this war helps us understand the importance of the people living during that tumultuous time. For this reason, look for more articles on Civil War research in this column.
COLLIN COLLEGE CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICANS: College Collage celebrates National African American month during the month of February with a series of free events on African Americans in the Civil War. For more information go to their website, http://www.collin.edu/news/PressReleases/2010-2011/20110120aaHistoryMonth.html.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].