Georgia World War II, Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
While the cards were created on April 27, 1942, they pertain to men born on or between April 27, 1877, and February 16, 1897.

Record Description
The draft registration cards are preprinted forms with information recorded on the front and back and is arranged alphabetically by surname. The collection is part of Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service System and was acquired from the National Archives Southeast Region in Morrow, Georgia.

Record Content


The records contain the following details:


 * Name
 * Birth date and place
 * Age
 * Race
 * Residence
 * Mailing Address
 * Place of employment or business
 * Employer’s name and address
 * Name, relationship, and address of person to notify in case of emergency
 * Physical description

How to Use the Record
To begin your search you will need to know your ancestor’s full name. If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. Military personnel were required to use their first given name and surname. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for their given name.

Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

When you have located your ancestor’s record, 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. For example:


 * Use the birth date or along with the residence or place of birth to locate a birth certificate and other records such as church, school, and land records.
 * The person to notify in case of emergency is usually a close relative such as a parent or spouse.
 * Use the birth date and birth place or residence to search for census records.

You may also find these search tips helpful:


 * Compile the entries for other individuals who have the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been also belonged to the National Guard.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Record History
After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The draft registration covered males ages 45 to 64. The local draft board of the Selective Service System conducted the registration. The original registration cards were later sent to the regional branch of the National Archives responsible for receiving records from that state.

Why this Record Was Created
This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II.

Record Reliability
Information on the cards was supplied by the individual but recorded by a registrar. While there was a chance of a recording error, each individual signed his card to attest that the information was correct.

Related Websites
World War II in Georgia

Related Wiki Articles
Georgia Military Records

United States Military Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"Georgia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1897-1929"images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 7 October 2011). entry for Lewis Jay Sparr, born May 6, 1913; citing World War II Records, Sparr, Lewis Jay-Speer, Fred Walter, Image 1: National Archive and Records Administration, Morrow, Georgia, United States.

Sources of Information for This Collection
Georgia. World War II, Draft Registration Cards, 1897-1929. National Archive and Records Administration. Morrow, Georgia.