- 1). Obtain a World War I draft registration card. There are many places, such as Ancestry.com, the National Archives, Family History Centers (branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City) and state archives, that hold these records. Researchers need to know the name and address of their ancestor at the time he was drafted before searching. In small towns the address may not be necessary if there was only one draft board. However, in large cities like Chicago, there were numerous draft boards so having an address helps narrow down the search.
A draft registration card will provide birth date and place; a point of contact, which is usually a family member; occupation and physical information. - 2). Contact the National Archives to search for records. Even though 80% of the records burned, the National Personnel Records Center can sometimes use other record sources to piece together a file. Download a Standard Form 180 and complete as thoroughly as possible. Mail the form to:
National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
9700 Page Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Responses are usually received within a month unless there are additional questions. In such cases, the National Personnel Records Center will contact the researcher. - 3). Check local newspapers from 1917-1918. Many papers listed, by draft board, names of men who passed the physical and were fit enough for service. In addition, many papers listed the men who were drafted or enlisted and were being shipped out. Newspapers are also a good source of photographs as many soldiers who died can be found in the newspaper.
- 4). Locate and view the soldier's grave. Many times the grave will list unit information of the soldier which can lead to more records. Many units have unit histories and rosters online. Simply search for the unit name and review the results.
- 5). Consult the state archives about bonus payments after the war to both soldiers and beneficiaries. Many states established service recognition boards to provide a monetary bonus after the war. These records may contain affidavits from family members, signatures, military serial numbers, names and addresses of family members, date of enlistment and date of discharge or death.
- 6). Conduct a search for burial files if the soldier died during the war. Mail a letter to:
Military Textual Reference Branch (NWCTM)
National Archives
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Cite the Freedom of Information Act and include as much information as you know about the soldier. Burial files contain death information, burial information overseas, disinterment information and sometimes letters from family members. These requests are usually filled in six to nine months and as of November 2010, there is no charge for these records.
previous post
next post