The National Personnel Records Center suffered a fire in 1973 that destroyed millions of military service records from 1916 to 1964. Here's what happened.
Category - Military Research
A Closer Look at Military Records #2
The Civil War presents a unique case in military records for the United States. This is because only Union records were kept by the federal government for decades. It was the early twentieth century...
A History of Veterans Day
Do you know the history of Veterans Day? Since our nation celebrates it on November 11, we should all know how the holiday originated. Here are the details.
A Closer Look at Military Records #1
Military service is built into this country’s history. The service of hundreds of thousands of people over the past two and a half centuries has generated records that can be used to improve one’s...
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a historic treasure that you must visit. Learn more about the museum and its history here!
Navy Before Country
The history of the U.S. Navy is longer than the history of the United States. It's even longer than the idea of the United States.
How to Use Muster Rolls to Your Advantage in Genealogy Research
Have you ever used muster rolls in your genealogical research? If you are like most people, you have at least one ancestor who served in the military and/or a war. If they served prior to WWI, muster...
The War of 1812 and the Indian Wars: A Double Conflict
The War of 1812 was going on at the same time as the southern Indian Wars. The government classifies both as the same conflict in service records. Here's why.
Research Basics: A Short Introduction to Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors
Do you want to know if you have a Revolutionary War ancestor, or discover more about one you already know is part of your family tree? This is how you do it.
How to Trace Your Ancestor’s World War I History
WWI was a century ago. Now, more people are starting to become interested in tracing the military histories of their WWI ancestors. Records are located in a variety of places. Here is how to find...
How to Research Your Hessian Soldier Ancestors
Do you have Hessian soldiers in your ancestry? Do you suspect you might? Here is what you need to know about them, and how to research their origins.
How to Research World War II History
There are a great many ways to discover what a relative did during WWII. Here are some of the best ways to Start Studying World War II History.
The Fighting American Doughboys
The term ‘doughboy’ is one which remained a popular nickname for US servicemen for almost 100 years and which almost certainly had its origins in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848.
WWI Draft Cards: Where to Find Them and What They Can Tell You About Your Ancestors
Have you used the WWI draft card collection yet to search your family tree? You should. Here are the valuable pieces of information you'll find in them.
Using Military Records to Construct Family Trees
Military records can be excellent sources for breaking down genealogy brick walls. Here's how to find and use military records to solve genealogy mysteries.
How the Seven Years’ War led to the American Revolution
History is a continuous rope of causes and effects. The birth of the United States is no different. Our Revolutionary War was the result of battles across the globe between the world’s major...
Edward Rutherfurd on New York
Strangely, I suspect it was Viking ancestors who drew me to New York. For centuries my father’s family lived on Britain’s biggest tidal river, the Severn, on which there was a huge trade...
Mount a Charge to Research Military Posts
“The men are healthy looking . . . and soldierly in appearance. They march and maneuver well on foot, less so mounted, because many of them ride indifferently . . . The horses are generally...
Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring
Here’s a superb book from Amazon.com that I highly recommend. Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring is based on remarkable new research, acclaimed historian...