Where can I find Military Records?

Question

I want to look up records to see if I have family who might have fought in past wars. I know my great-great-great grandfather fought in the Civil War, so does anyone know a free site where I can look back at records prior to the American Civil War?

Answer 1

Army record keeping sucks I can't track down documents from a year ago good luck, I am not even sure if there really was any docuumentation back in the civil war.

Answer 2

You can try the Department of Veteran Affairs. They may not go back that far but it will be a start and they may be able to direct you were to look. Chances are you're going to have to pay for your family history.

Answer 3

Hmmm.. You should check out the National Archives and Records Administration.  They are extremely helpful in obtaining such requests.  I only use it for study on important figures, such as biographys...as I am a Marine Corps historian.  But you must understand that they weren't so reliable in keeping accurate methods of records back then.  I am not saying that you won't be able to locate them, but you will be spending a lot of dedicated days, if not months!

I do have another suggestion, which you may, or may not be so keen to this...request a geneology report to the local 'Latter-Day Saints' (LDS) representative that deals with geneology.   LDS meaning, Mormons!  Yes, I mean the religion of the Mormons.  Even though I do not agree with their beliefs, they are the best researchers of geneolgy that you can find around!