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Military Records and Muster Rolls

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Posted by Your Guide on July 6, 2006 9:49 PM

Males in our society can often be found in military records and muster rolls. These rolls were kept as men enlisted and were released from service both during times of war and peace.

Enlistment records, military pension applications, muster rolls, prisoners of war, and records of those killed in battle can all be helpful in finding out information about ancestors. Enlistment records show where a soldier enlisted. Pension applications can show not only what branch of service, what battles he participated in, and what his unit number was, but can also list family members and where they lived when the pension application was filed.

Each branch of service keeps records for all battles and some records exist for battles in pre-Colonial times. If you know the branch of service your ancestor enlisted in, you can contact them directly and file and application for information. More recent enlisted men and women also have pictures in their files that can be made available to direct family members with proof of relationship.

Other military records are available online in the form of muster rolls and lists of battle participants. If there is a family legend that your ancestor fought at the Alamo, at the Battle of New Orleans, or any other battle site, local historical societies and records kept in libraries dedicated to the memory of a battle site can help enlighten you about your ancestor's possible involvement.

History books and other historical records can help fill in gaps about your ancestor even if they are not mentioned in the official accounts of a battle. If you have proof that they were present at the battle, and you read what happened during the battle, you will have a general idea of your ancestor's experiences during that time.



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