United States, War of 1812 Index to Service Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
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Record Description | |
Record Type | Index to Compiled Service Records |
Record Group | RG 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 -1984 |
Collection years | 1812-1815 |
Microfilm Publication | M602. Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Serves During the War of 1812. 234 rolls. |
Arrangement | Alphabetical by soldier name. |
National Archives Identifier | 654501 |
FamilySearch Resources | |
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Contents
What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]
This is a consolidated index to the compiled military service records for soldiers who served in the War of 1812, located in the National Archives. The index is arranged in alphabetical order by surname.
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and the British Empire, including Great Britain, Canada, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. The Treaty of Ghent, which became effective on February 18, 1815, ended the war. With the signing of the treaty the U.S. and Britain recognized the pre-war boundaries between the United States and Canada, and gave the United States fishing rights to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
This index covers records for the years 1812 to 1815. It was created as a rapid access to individuals who served during the War of 1812. These records are generally reliable.
Related Articles
- Stuart L. Butler. Genealogical Records of the War of 1812. Prologue 23 (Winter 1991): 420-425. FHL 973 B2p.
- Ruth Dixon. Genealogical Fallout from the War of 1812. Prologue 24 (Spring 1992): 973 B2p.
- Claire Prechtel-Kluskens. Researching Volunteer Soldiers of the War of 1812. NGS Magazine 37 # 1 (January-March 2011): 36-41. FHL 973 D25ngs.
- Marie Varrelman Melchiori. War of 1812 records at the National Archives. NGS Magazine 35 (April-June 2009): 24-29.
Image Visibility[edit | edit source]
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For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.
To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]
You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for United States, War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815. |
This collection contains searchable content in the NARA Catalog. They can be accessed by clicking on the National Archives identifier in the Record Description. Once inside the Catalog, click on the "Search Within This Series". |
What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]
The following information may be found in these records:
Service
- Name of soldier
- Rank, position or job
- Military unit in which served
- State of enlistment
- References and notes
Collection Content[edit | edit source]
Sample Image[edit | edit source]
How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]
To search for your ancestors in the index it is helpful to know:
- The full name of the solider
- The approximate dates of service
- The state and county where the soldier resided
Search the Index[edit | edit source]
Search by name on the Collection Details Page.- Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
- Click Search to show possible matches
View the Images[edit | edit source]
View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page
Select Surname Range
Keep in mind:
- There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
- You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name
- Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life
More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at United States War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images. |
How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
When you have located your ancestor in the War of 1812 Index to Service Records, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records.
I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- Use the regiment and state to locate other military records such as enlistment or pension records
- Use the regiment and state to locate census, church, and land records
- Compile a list of other personnel with the same surname. This is especially helpful if the surname is unusual
- When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
- Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
- Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
- Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor
Research Helps[edit | edit source]
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
- US Military Basic Search Strategies
- Beginning Research in United States Military Records
- Beginning War of 1812 Research
- United States Guided Research
- United States Record Finder
- Research Tips and Strategies
Related Family History Library Holdings[edit | edit source]
- War of 1812 papers" of the Department of State, 1789-1815.
- Records relating to American prisoners of war, 1812-1815, from the Public Record Office, London
- Records relating to War of 1812 prisoners of war
- Compiled military service records of Major Uriah Blue's detachment of Chickasaw Indians in the War of 1812
- War of 1812, military bounty land warrants, 1815-1858
- Compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served during the War of 1812 in organizations from the territory of Mississippi
- Index to compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served during the War of 1812 in organiz ations from the state of Louisiana 1812-1815
- NARA Ainswoth List T817, War of 1812, Rolls 12-38
- Muster rolls, pay rolls, and index of the Virginia militia in the War of 1812
- Records relating to American prisoners of war, 1812-1815, from the Public Record Office, London
Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections[edit | edit source]
- United States War of 1812 Index to Pension Application Files, 1812-1910
- Louisiana War of 1812 Pension Lists, 1812-1815
Related Digital Books[edit | edit source]
- Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812
- Massachusetts Militia Roster
- Maryland Roster of the War of 1812
- North Carolina Militia Muster Rolls: Internet Archive
- Ohio Soldiers of the War of 1812
- Pennsylvania Archives Series 2, Volume 12 Muster Rolls Soldiers of the War of 1812
- Vermont Soldiers of the War of 1812
- Citizen Soldiers at North Point and Fort McHenry: Internet Archive
Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]
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.
Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Citing this Collection. |
Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information. |
Image Citation: When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen. |
How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki?[edit | edit source]
We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. We are looking for additional information that will help readers understand the topic and better use the available records. We also need translations for collection titles and images in articles about records written in languages other than English. For specific needs, please visit WikiProject FamilySearch Historical Records/Guidelines for Articles. Please follow these guidelines as you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide. |