United States, Index and Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What Is in the Collection?
This collection contains an index and compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served from 1784 to 1811. The index is a National Archive Microfilm publication M694 and service records are M905. The records are part of Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The content varies by individual record. They may contain any of the following:


 * Soldier's name
 * Company name
 * Rank
 * Place of enlistment or residence
 * Place of service
 * Service dates
 * Pay dates
 * By whom paid
 * Amount of pay

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * The name of the solider.
 * The date of service for the volunteer soldier.
 * The place where the soldier enlisted or served.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
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?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found Who I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the age and location of the military unit to find the soldier’s family in other records such as church, and land records.
 * Search for additional military records.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit.
 * Search the records of nearby military units.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for a different index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the records of nearby counties.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information.