How to Find Civil War Ancestors | Tips for Your Genealogy Research

Millions of Americans have Civil War ancestors, but how do you start researching them? You can't assume that every old photo is a Civil War veteran! Learn how you can easily spot clues that he served, plus how to discover what regiment he served in -- which is vital for doing more Civil War research!

#genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry

Chapters:
0:00 Clues that he served
3:59 Why you need the regiment
5:26 How to find the regiment
11:09 Key to success

Want more about researching Civil War ancestors? Check out these articles:

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[danaoneill]

I'm quite surprised you didn't mention the National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database available online. It's often the first place I look for information about Civil War ancestors. Also, information about writing for copies of Civil War pensions would be helpful..

[bekkibuenviaje]

I have had an easier time finding the union soldiers but the confederate soldiers have been impossible to find.

[vickyprince]

The SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans) organizations sometimes lists the regiments with the soldier rosters.

[drmasroberts]

Interesting point you make about asking relatives. A family story said our ancestor took a piece of wallpaper from Gen. Robert E Lee's house, and my uncle said he had seen it. When I finally sorted out the story, it was not Robert E Lee’s house but the house of another Confederate general, Stephen D. Lee, Columbus, Mississippi. Our ancestor had been stationed there when it was used as a hospital. Another family story incorrectly identified him as a Confederate soldier. (Ancestors in Missouri sympathized on both sides of the conflict, having migrated west from Virginia.)

[deborahackerman]

Thank you for this video. I have someone who was in the Civil War and I'm trying to determine if he is an ancestor. I only have Civil War info like regiment and he did die shortly after his "muster" dates. This gives me some more ideas of where to look to see if he is my ancestor or not. Thank you

[edgewaterz]

How can we find military graves for the 1800s? I am often flummoxed when a male is not in the family plot. Then I realize it's because of their military service. But I can't find them. I have a few from Kentucky War of 1812. And a few Civil War Confederates. Their widows are not in the pension index. There's no obituary on Newspapers or Chronicling America. I don't have a date for the library to look for. Thanks for your videos!

[marjoriedybec]

This was helpful. When I come across someone who is listed in a Civil War Draft Registration book from Jun 1863 (CT), this is then NOT definitive that he served, correct? It just means he was eligible, correct?

[gears]

My 3rd great grandfather served in the Ohio Infantry 92nd regiment Company I and he died in the Civil War. My thing is finding detailed information on how he died and what he did. I heard several different stories on that but not sure which one is true. I heard he died of disease and also being shot. I heard he was either a medic, driver and also a soldier. This kind of information I cannot seem to find, no matter how much I dig.