United States Muster Rolls of the Marine Corps - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This collection covers the years 1798 through 1892.

Record Description
This collection consists of images of muster rolls of the United States Marine Corps located at the National Archives. The rolls are arranged chronologically by month, then by post, station, or ship.

Record Content
Muster Roll volumes include indexes to ship names, stations, and units. A muster roll generally shows:


 * Name of officer or enlisted man
 * Rank
 * Date of enlistment or reenlistment
 * Name of ship
 * Station
 * Unit

In some cases, muster rolls also contain the following:


 * Injuries or illness and type of treatment
 * Date of death or discharge
 * Date of desertion or apprehension
 * Sentence of court-martial

How to Use the Record
These records are a valuble source of information for those wishing to learn more about ancestors that served in the Marines, particularly if only limited military information is known.

It is essential that you know the officer or enlisted man's name, as well as the vessel, unit, or duty station in which he served. If the Marine had a common surname, be sure to check all records for the name before deciding which is the correct record.

Why this Record Was Created
Muster rolls were created as a form of recording an officer's service in the Marine Corps to pay them for their service.

Record Reliability
These records are generally accurate but depend upon the reliability of the informat.

Related Websites
This section of the article is incomplete. You can help FamilySearch Wiki by supplying links to related web sites here.

Civil War Soldier Search: Muster Rolls

Related Wiki Articles
U.S. Marine Corps

Muster Rolls of the United States Marine Corps Film Notes

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

 * United States. Bureau of the Census. 12th census, 1900, digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: September 29, 2006), Arizona Territory, Maricopa, Township 1, East Gila, Salt River Base and Meridian; sheet 9B, line 71
 * Mexico, Distrito Federal, Catholic Church Records, 1886-1933, digital images, from FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: April 22, 2010), Baptism of Adolfo Fernandez Jimenez, 1 Feb. 1910, San Pedro Apóstol, Cuahimalpa, Distrito Federal, Mexico, film number 0227023

Sources of Information for This Collection
United States. Muster Rolls of the United States Marine Corps, 1798-1892. Record Group 127, NARA publication T1118. Federal Archives and Records Center. Washington D.C.