Podcast Episode 91: 25 Records to Research Your Civil War Ancestors
Discover 25 resources for Civil War genealogy research. Uncover your ancestors’ history through online databases, unique archives, and veteran records.
The US Civil War from 1861 to 1865 produced a goldmine of records for genealogy research.
In the records I'm sharing today, you will find not just military information, but also family relationships, the physical appearance of your ancestors, such as eye color, hair color, and height, but also fellow soldiers, which were a huge network of support and employment for people post-war.
Now let's get to my list of 25 resources for Civil War research.
Online Databases and Books
This first section contains both derivative records (made from original records) and original records which are easily accessible online. These are a great place to start to confirm if any your ancestors served in the war.
1. County biographies
Published around the time of the U.S. Centennial in 1876, these histories of the people by county are a great starting place. You’ll find rosters of men who enlisted or were drafted in each book. The FamilySearch Wiki is a great starting point to locate these books online.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Pennsylvania_Biographies
2. Samuel Bates, 5 volume History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865
These books are considered the definitive listing of soldiers and regiment histories. Available on Google Book for free digital download.
http://www.pacivilwar.com/bates.html
3. Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database
The National Park Service compiled a database of all soldiers and sailors from both sides of the conflict in commemoration of the 150th anniversary. Also information on regiments, battles, and awards.
4. Fold3
Fold3 is the home for military records and run by Ancestry. Navigating from the homepage, choose US Civil War or Union or Confederacy to find unit histories, and links to original records which I’ll be describing in shortly in this video.
5. Nationwide Gravesite Locator by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
This online database records the location of every veteran from every American war buried around the world. You can also order new gravestones and medallions to add to headstones here.
National Cemetery Administration
6. List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883 book series
These books published in 1882, list all the Civil War pensioners including widows by state giving their address by post office, pension amount, and date of original claim. Find them on Google Books or Ancestry.
7. 1890 U.S. Census Schedule
Not all of the 1890 census was destroyed in the fire in the Department of Commerce building in 1920 (check fact). The special schedule done by enumerators lists men who served the Union listing names of surviving soldiers, sailors, marines, and widows; rank; name of regiment or vessel; date of enlistment; date of discharge, length of service; post office address; disability incurred; and comments.
8. Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War website
Think of this as your homepage for researching your Pennsylvania ancestors who served. Unfortunately some of the links are broken, but you’ll still learn a lot from what is left.
9. Camp William Penn website
Over 10,000 black men trained at Pennsylvania’s largest military camp. The site no longer remains, but the website links to databases and archives on the United States Colored Troops.
USCT
Must Use Records for Civil War Research
This section contains the essential original records you must obtain for your Civil War ancestor. This records will help you not just complete your family tree, but also know exactly how your ancestor was involved in the war.
10. Civil War Pensions Index
These index cards organize the 3 million pension files at the NARA. On it you’ll find your soldier’s unit of service and pension file number, necessary for obtaining the file itself.
https://www.fold3.com/publication/57/us-civil-war-pensions-index-1861-1900
11. Union Army Pension files
No record does more to tell the experience of your ancestor soldier than this one. You must get a copy of this file from the National Archives in Washington D.C. if you haven’t already. The link in the description will take you to the National Archives page with directions on ordering any veteran’s file. Very few of these have been microfilmed and imaged onto Fold3.
12. Compiled Military Service Records (CMSR’s)
These cards contain the master list of the service for each Union soldier. They were created in 1890 and considered very accurate. To get the actual service files, contact NARA. Imaged in their entirety on Fold3.
https://www.fold3.com/publication/793/us-civil-war-service-index-cmsr-union-pennsylvania-1861-1865
13. Deserters list curated by Penn State
Not every drafted man served in the Union Army. Nearly 30,000 failed to report or deserted their post between 1861 and 1865. Penn State imaged and indexed these compiled records.
14. Conscientious Objectors affidavits
There was considerable objection to military service in Pennsylvania. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania hosts a transcribed list from federal records, but the Pennsylvania State Archives holds additional names and original signed affidavits from 1862.
15. Historical Markers
PHMC Marker Database: Choose Civil War as a category to see the 124 markers related to Union troops, Confederate prisoners, and military and civilian events.
https://share.phmc.pa.gov/markers
The Historical Marker Database: National database of all historical markers. Select Civil War as a topic to narrow your search.
Civil War Trails: Over 1500 sites across 6 states with excellent free pdf map books combining history of the invasion and retreat of both forces.
16. Gettysburg National Park
The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 is known as the turning point of the Civil War. This National Park Service park covers both the battle and the events prior to and after the war. Check the calendar for events through out the spring, summer, and fall.
There is also a special part of this park I’ll mention in #23 below.
Unique Archival Records of the Civil War
This section list records that are mostly still on paper and tucked away in archives. Those that are online tell a different story of the war than we are used to hearing.
All of these are worth pursuing for in-depth research of your soldier ancestor.
17. 1862 Records of Drafted Men and Substitutes
Each Union state conducted their own draft of men age 21 and over in 1862. Pennsylvania’s records are at the Pennsylvania State Archive. If a man paid for a substitute to serve in his place, it is listed here.
18. 1863 Draft Registration Records
Recently digitized in full-color, these large books are organized by their 1860 Congressional District. In it you’ll find a list of all eligible men and whether they enrolled in the Union or Confederate forces. Pennsylvania had a significant number of men move to the South and fight.
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1666/
19. Provost Marshall Records
The Provost Marshall was the federal office focused on tracking down draft deserters, keeping a log of substitutes, and noting anyone not fit for service due to disability. If you have an ancestro in one of these categories, these records still in their original, fragile form may be worth a look. For Pennsylvania, these records are located at the National Archives, Philadelphia branch in Record Group 110.
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/110.html
20. Union League Philadelphia
Founded as a patriotic society in 1862 to support the war effort, the Union League today is a private club. But within its walls is a library and archive documenting both the naval and land battles of the Civil War.
21. Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Archives
Your Union Army soldier probably joined one of the thousands of GAR organizations post-war. In Philadelphia the GAR Museum and Archives curates artifacts and papers of these groups in Pennsylvania.
22. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Pittsburgh
Located on the campus of the University of Pittsburg, S&S Hall is a tribute to the Allegheny veterans from the Civil War to present day wars and conflicts. Artifacts from Gettysburg and civilian life of the 1860s fill two of the halls inside. They also have an archive of with scrabbooks, letters. and photos of soldiers.
https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org
23. Gettysburg National Park Library & Research Center
Dedicated to deepening understanding of the battle and the men who fought in it, this archive holds manuscripts, letters, and photographs. Open by appointment only for serious research.
https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/research-center.htm
24. National Civil War Museum
Over 850 artifacts of the war fill the exhibits of this Smithsonian affiliated museum in Harrisburg, PA. A great way to picture the life of your ancestor soldier through their uniforms, weapons, and living conditions.
https://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
25. Property Damage Claims
When Union and Confederate troops marched through south central Pensylvania, they left a trail of damage to homes and farms. People files claims with the state government to be compensated.
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2485/
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