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Spanish Military Records

The military records in Spain can be a good source to look for your male ancestors. Many men in Spain served in military units such as the army, the militia, the navy, and others. Often these records contain genealogical information that can help you to build your family tree. The men of Spain often had to receive an exemption from military service or prove that they had already served before they could leave the county. They needed to receive special permission to do so.

Military Records
OVERVIEW BLURB

Military Conscription (Quintas), 1773-1920
Quintas began in 1773, where every fifth man between eighteen and 20 years old was selected by lot to serve in the army. Initially met with heavy resistance, its enforcement was suspended at first but ultimately instituted throughout spain in 1878. Local municipalities were required to make lists of all male citizens from whom the conscripts were selected. Hidalgos (nobility) were not included in Quitas.

The following information can be found in Quinta records.
 * Name of the prospective conscript
 * Their age (sometimes birth date)
 * Sometimes names of parents and their residence.

Most quintas can be found in municipal archives and/or provincial historical archives. Some can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog, under their specific municipality. | http://avile.es/noticias-todas/36-noticias-avile/125-el-servicio-militar-obligatorio-espanol

Military Enlistments (Recluta) 1877-present
Beginning in 1877, the process for enlisting men in the army transitioned from quintas to recluta, or recruitment files. The transition was completed in 1925. WHAT IS SAME WHAT IS DIFFERENT

Three copies of the enlistment file would be created. One was given to the soldier, one remained in the enlistment office, and one was sent to the comisario de revista?!?! Spanish articles on details underneath.


 * Quintas
 * Reclutamentos
 * expedientes generales de alistamiento
 * Filiaciones municipales (1837)

Service Records (Expedientes personales / expedientes reglamentarios)
many names

Full service record (Expedientes Reglamentarios)
WE ARE INDEXING OH HAPPY DAY

Active duty service record (Expedientes personales)
Officers - Hojas de Servicio Regular soldiers - filaciones