North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Union service records of soldiers who served in organizations from North Carolina for the years 1861 to 1865. The records include abstracts of entries relating to the soldier as found in the following original records:

For each military unit the service records are arranged alphabetically by the soldier's surname. The Military Unit field may also display the surname range (A-G) as found on the microfilm. This collection is a part of RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s to 1917, and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M401. Index courtesy of fold3 (previously Footnote.com).
 * Muster rolls
 * Returns
 * Rosters
 * Payrolls
 * Appointment books
 * Hospital registers
 * Union prison registers and rolls
 * Parole rolls
 * Inspection reports

Service records were kept for each soldier. Those records, or their abstracts, were compiled into individual files. Each envelope/jacket contains information and cross references to original records relating to the soldier. The information in this index is quite reliable. However, keep in mind that even though this index is very accurate it still may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings or misinterpretations.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Service • 2

Collection Content
The records are in individual files which usually include the following:
 * A jacket-envelope for each soldier, labeled with his name, rank, and the unit in which he served
 * A card (or cards) with abstracts of entries from original muster rolls, returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers, parole rolls, and inspection reports
 * The originals of any papers relating only to the particular soldier

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date of enlistment
 * The place of enlistment

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 service 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.

I Found the Person 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 census, church, and land records.
 * Use the information found to search additional state and county records.

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

 * 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.
 * Consult the North Carolina Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of North Carolina.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Union Civil War Soldier (1861-1865)
 * North Carolina Guided Research
 * North Carolina Record Finder
 * North Carolina Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step North Carolina Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of North Carolina

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
 * United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890
 * United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
 * North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Guide to Civil War records in the North Carolina State Archives. Raleigh, North Carolina : [North Carolina Dept. of Archives and History, 1966]

Citing This Collection
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.