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

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, for the state of Georgia. The index cards are located at the NARA - Southeast Regional facility. This collection covers all counties and is alphabetical. The records are for men and women born between 1897 and 1929 and covers multiple registrations. The collection was located at the NARA SW region in Forth Worth Texas. For additional information about this collection contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The cards are part of Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975. In August of 2013, the National Archives replaced the ARC – Archival Research Catalog - with the OPA – Online Public Access. ARC identifiers will still work to access the collections in OPA.

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.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945

Draft registration cards
 * Name and Serial No.
 * Place of residence and telephone number
 * Date and place of birth
 * Age
 * Name of person who will always know your permanent address
 * Employer's name and address
 * Name of business of employer
 * Race
 * Physical description (height, weight, color of hair and eyes)

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age of your ancestor
 * The person's date of birth
 * The place where the person registered
 * The names of family members and their relationships

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Surname Range to view the images.

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 draft registration card, 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 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
 * 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

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Georgia.
 * Georgia Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

General Information About These Records
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.

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.

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.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying you sources helps others find the records you used.


 * Collection Citation:"Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 5 July 2016. Citing Records of the Selective Service System, 1926 - 1975, RG 147. National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri.

Top of Page