Military Records

This pamphlet is one in a series designed to assist the genealogical researcher in using the most pertinent of related federal, state, and local governmental records in the possession of the Illinois State Archives and its Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system. Related state and federal records of military eligibility, service, benefit receipt (including veterans’ home residence), and burial site location are the subjects of this pamphlet.

The Archives welcomes visiting patrons as well as those persons wishing to contact its reference staff by correspondence, telephone, fax or e-mail. The Archives will provide, if located, an uncertified and unofficial photocopy of a requested record. As a result of limitations on staff research time, the Archives can do no more than two searches per inquiry. Send inquiries to: Illinois State Archives, Reference Unit, Norton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62756. Telephone: (217) 782-3553. Fax: (217) 524-3930. Submit a Request Via the Internet.

War Veterans' Burials (1774–1955)

The Honor Roll of Veterans Buried in Illinois (Springfield 1956) was published on the instructions of the General Assembly. It covers the years 1774–1955. Entries for Illinois servicemen who saw war service and who were buried in Illinois include the veteran’s name, rank, service branch, war served in, unit or organization, date of death, cemetery name and county location, and occasionally the grave location within the cemetery. (The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs maintains a record of all Illinois war veterans buried after 1955. The researcher may write this office at 833 S. Spring Street, P.O. Box 19432, Springfield, Illinois 62794–9432 for further information.)

Researching On Your Own
The State Archives houses an index arranged alphabetically by veterans’ surnames for the period 1774–1898. This index includes all of the information found in the Honor Roll as well as dates of enlistment and discharge. For the years 1899–1955 the published Honor Roll is arranged alphabetically by county and then alphabetically by the names of cemeteries within counties. If the genealogist is unaware of the county of burial, Archives staff will contact the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to request a search of that department’s name indexes to the Honor Roll for the years 1899–1955.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The Archives requires the veteran’s complete name, war of service, date of death, and after 1898 the county where buried, for an effective search. For veterans of wars prior to 1899 a copy of the index card will be provided the genealogist if one is located. If the veteran died after 1898 a copy from the published Honor Roll will be sent, if located.

Revolutionary War (1776–1783)

The State Archives has acquired from the National Archives Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, 1800–1900 (RS 955.001), on 898 rolls of microfilm. Applications include the veteran’s name, rank, military unit, period of service, residence, birthplace, date of birth or age, and if the claim was based on need, a listing of property owned. For widows and heirs applications additionally include marriage date and place and the veteran’s date and place of death. In these instances supporting documentation such as affidavits of witnesses, discharge papers, and marriage and birth certificates variously are included.

Researching On Your Own
The microfilm rolls of these files are arranged alphabetically by veterans’ surnames. If two or more veterans have the same name, files are further arranged either by the state residence of the veteran at the time he made the application, the veteran’s branch of service, or the military unit in which the veteran served. A printed listing of the beginning and ending names on each roll of film is available to assist users.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
In making a request the genealogist should stipulate that the conflict in question was the Revolutionary War and provide the veteran’s complete name as well as the name of the state in which the veteran resided at the time he made the application. The appropriate file will be photocopied and sent, if located.

War of 1812 (1812–1814)

Published Sources
Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois (Springfield, vol. 9, 1902) concerns Illinois Territory residents who served in the army on the western frontier at the time of the War of 1812. It gives the soldier’s name, rank, the name or number of his unit, and his enlistment term and, occasionally, place of enlistment. This publication was transcribed from federal records and is notoriously incomplete. It has been supplemented by additional listings in Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society (Springfield 1904) and the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly (vol. V, no. 3, fall 1973). All three of these secondary sources are available for use at the State Archives.

War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index (1871–1910)
A copy of the National Archives record War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812–1910 (RS 955.002), contained on 102 rolls of microfilm, is located at the State Archives. Federal legislation passed in 1871 and 1878 provided War of 1812 veterans or their heirs pension benefits in addition to bounty land grants previously awarded. Index listings include the veteran’s name, pension application and certificate numbers, bounty land warrant application number, and the name and/or number of the unit served in. This source is an index only. When entries are located then copies of application files can be obtained from: The National Archives, Washington, D.C., 20408.

Researching On Your Own
A card index located at the State Archives accesses the three published sources cited above. Entries are arranged alphabetically by soldiers’ surnames. It is useful to know a particular serviceman’s unit name or number in order to differentiate like names. Search the online database of War of 1812 veterans compiled from the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois.

In using the Pension Application Files Index the genealogist will be served well if he or she knows the state the soldier resided in when he made his application and the name or number of the unit he served with. This information will differentiate like names. Copies of the application files themselves can be obtained from the National Archives.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate that the conflict in question was the War of 1812 and then should provide the veteran’s full name and if possible his unit’s name or number. If located, a copy of the best available record of service will be provided. For a search of the Pension Application Files Index it would be helpful if the state in which the veteran resided at the time he made his application were provided as well.

Black Hawk War (1831–1832)

The State Archives record series 301.007, Black Hawk War Records (1832–1891, 1 cubic foot), contains original muster rolls of Illinois volunteers as well as transcriptions of federal muster rolls which were prepared at a later date. Muster roll entries include the soldier’s name, rank, date and length of enrollment, county residence, amount of pay due, and the number of traveling rations drawn. For mounted soldiers values of arms and equipment issued and descriptions of horses also are provided. Original muster rolls are arranged by brigade and federal rolls by county residence. Name access is provided by published sources. Ellen M. Whitney has compiled and edited The Black Hawk War, 1831–1832: Illinois Volunteers in Collections of the State Historical Library, XXXV (Springfield 1970). Alternative but less accurate name access is provided in Isaac H. Elliott’s Record of the Services of Illinois Soldiers in the Black Hawk War 1831–1832 and in the Mexican War 1846–1848 (Springfield 1902).

Researching On Your Own
Genealogists with ancestors who served in the Black Hawk War should start with the name index in the Whitney publication. Search the online database of Black Hawk War veterans compiled from the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. This will access the published abstract. From there efficient reference can be made to the original muster rolls or to the transcriptions of the federal rolls. If the Whitney publication proves unsatisfactory, then the Elliott compilation should be consulted.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate that the conflict in question was the Black Hawk War and then should provide the veteran’s complete name and if known, his unit name or number and his county of residence. A copy of the best available record of service will be provided, if located.

Mexican War (1846–1848)

The State Archives record series 301.008, Mexican War Records (1846–1890, 1 cubic foot), contains original muster rolls of Illinois volunteers as well as transcriptions of federal muster rolls which were prepared at a later date. Muster roll entries include the soldier’s name; rank; age; date, place and term of enrollment; name of the individual who enrolled the soldier; date last paid; paymaster’s name; discharge date; amounts allowed for travel and subsistence following discharge; and values of horses and equipment. Original state muster rolls are arranged by brigade and federal rolls by county residence.

Researching On Your Own
A published roster of Illinois soldiers who served in the Mexican War is found in Isaac H. Elliott’s Record of the Services of Illinois Soldiers in the Black Hawk War 1831–1832 and in the Mexican War 1846–1848 (Springfield 1902). Search the online database of Mexican War veterans compiled from the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. The genealogist should first consult one of the indexes and then the entry in Elliott’s published volume. From there the original muster rolls or the transcriptions of the federal rolls can be consulted.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate that the conflict in question was the Mexican War and then provide the veteran’s complete name and if known, his unit number and county residence. A copy of the best available record of service will be provided, if located.

Civil War (1861–1865)

Muster Rolls
The State Archives record series 301.020, Muster and Descriptive Rolls (1861–1865, 89 vols.), includes for each soldier mustered into service his name, rank, regiment number, company letter, age, height, eye and hair colors, complexion, occupation, marital status, birthplace, and residence; date and place where mustered in; name of mustering officer; date and place of mustering out; name of mustering out officer; remarks concerning transfers, promotions and special duty; and indication of injury or death. Rolls are arranged by regiments and thereunder by companies. Abstracts of this record series have been published in Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois (Springfield, vols. 1–8, 1902). And a name index to this published source has been prepared on catalog cards which are available for use in the reference room at the State Archives. Search the online database of Civil War veterans compiled from the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois.

Military Censuses
The State Archives record series 301.029, Military Censuses (1861–1863, 7 vols. and 31 cubic feet), is loosely arranged by county and then by township. State legislation passed in 1861 required township assessors to compile lists of able-bodied male residents between the ages of 18 and 45. Within townships were two categories of eligible young men. The voluntary militia consisted of those individuals who had organized themselves into companies and elected officers for the purpose of military enlistment. Voluntary militia lists give the soldier’s name, residence, age, birthplace, occupation, and date and term of enlistment. The reserve militia on the other hand was composed of those eligible men who chose not to volunteer but who were liable to being drafted. Reserve militia lists generally provide names only. These lists were composed over 1861–1863.

The President called for 300,000 men to be inducted into military service with an order issued August 4, 1862 and the War Department established regulations for the enrollment and drafting of these men. The resulting record was an 1862 federal census conducted by enrolling officers. Entries include name, age, birthplace, occupation, and frequent remarks concerning military assignment or exemption. Often included with township files are lists of volunteers and enlistment certificates. There is no name index to this record series.

Index to the Compiled Service Records of Union Army Veterans (1861–1865)
The State Archives houses a copy of a National Archives record Index to the Compiled Service Records of Union Army Veterans, 1861–1865 (RS 957.001), for Illinois on 101 rolls of microfilm. This name index provides the soldier’s regiment number, company letter, and his rank when he both mustered in and mustered out. This record series is an index only. Entries provided here will enable the genealogist to obtain abstracted copies of ancestors’ service records from: The National Archives, Washington, D.C., 20408.

Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
The State Archives holds copies of the publications, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (70 volumes) and Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion (31 volumes). These compilations of the military archives of the Union and Confederacy contain official reports, correspondence, orders, returns, and maps. Both publications have a general index which provides series and volume citations to the names of all individuals included in the papers. The researcher can then consult the index of the appropriate volume to examine the record in which the subject’s name appears.

Researching On Your Own
The card catalog index in the reference room at the State Archives and the Internet database provide access by name to the Muster and Descriptive Rolls (RS 301.020) as well as to the published Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. The Muster Rolls and the Adjutant General’s published Reports in turn provide the residences of veterans. With this information the researcher can access the Military Censuses (RS 301.029) which are arranged by county and then by township. The Index to the Compiled Service Records of Union Army Veterans enables the genealogist to obtain abstracted copies of ancestors’ service records from: The National Archives, Washington, D.C., 20408. Patrons must ask at the reference desk for access to the indexes of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Mail, Telephone And Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate that the war in question was the Civil War. He or she needs to provide an ancestor’s complete name and his regiment number and company letter. A copy of the best available service record will be sent, if located. Archives staff do not search the Military Censuses for mail and telephone requests as a consequence of the large size and unindexed condition of this record series. If requested the Archives will search for an individual’s name in the Official Records. The entire report in which the name appears will be copied.

Spanish–American War (1898–1899)

Muster Out Rolls
The State Archives’ most complete source of information on Illinois volunteers for the Spanish–American War is found in record series 301.089, Muster Out Rolls (1898–1899, 10 vols.). Rolls are arranged by regiment and thereunder by company. Entries for each soldier include the soldier’s name, rank, date, and place and term of enrollment; name of enrolling officer; places of residence and discharge; and amounts of pay, travel, and reimbursement due. The original records have been duplicated in the four volume set Adjutant General’s Report Containing the Complete Muster Out Rolls of the Illinois Volunteers Who Served in the Spanish–American War, 1898–1899 (Springfield, 4 vols., 1902). This published set which is not indexed is available for use in the reference room at the State Archives.

Muster In Rolls
The State Archives record series 301.087, Muster In Rolls (1898–1899, 3 vols. and 1/2 cubic foot), also are arranged by regiment and then by company. Although not as comprehensive as the Muster Out Rolls, the Muster In Rolls include unique information consisting of age, birthplace, eye and hair color, complexion, height, marital status, occupation, and the name and address of the soldier’s nearest relative.

Researching On Your Own
The genealogist first should consult a card catalog in the Archives’ reference room or search the online database of Spanish–American War veterans compiled from the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. These indexes locate entries in another published source, Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois (Springfield, vol. 9, 1902). With this information the Muster Out Rolls in their original and published forms can be referenced as can the Muster In Rolls which are available only in their original form.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate that the conflict in question was the Spanish–American War and provide the veteran’s complete name and his regiment number and company letter. A copy of the best available record of service will be sent, if located.

World War I (1917–1918)

Draft Registration Cards
The State Archives houses a copy of the Illinois portion of the federal record World War One Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1919 (RS 956.001), on 322 rolls of microfilm. A total of 1,559,586 Illinois men between the ages of 18 and 45 registered with the Selective Service System in the course of this war. Entries for each registrant variously include name, address, date and place of birth, age, race, citizenship status, occupation, name and address of employer, name and relationship of dependent relative, marital status, claim of draft exemption, name and address of nearest relative, and record of prior service. Also included are reports on physical condition which show height, build, eye and hair color, presence of baldness, and the nature of any physical disabilities. There is no indication if the registrant did or did not enter military service.

Researching On Your Own
Cards are arranged by county, then by draft board jurisdictional area, and thereunder alphabetically by registrants’ surnames. If the registrant resided in Chicago, his street address is needed to locate the applicable draft board. Archives reference staff can provide maps of draft board boundaries for Chicago.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should stipulate a search of this record series and provide the ancestor’s complete name, county of residence, and for Chicago a street address. Copies of registration cards will be sent, if located.

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Database
Records of living World War I veterans are maintained by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Please write this office at 833 S. Spring Street, P.O. Box 19432, Springfield, Illinois 62794–9432. In the inquiry include the veteran’s name, war of service, and, if known, serial number. The only information which is available as public record is a veteran’s branch and dates of service. (Please consult the prior section on Veterans' Burials for information on deceased veterans.)

National Personnel Records Center
The researcher may also locate information on living and deceased World War I veterans by writing the National Personnel Records Center. This office requires the veteran’s name, war and branch of service, and, if possible, social security or serial number for a records search. For living veterans releasable information is restricted to a person’s unit, location of service, schools attended, and awards and decorations. This office’s address is 9700 Page, St. Louis, Missouri 63132.

World War II (1941–1945), Korean War (1950–1953), and Vietnam War (1959–1973)

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Database is available to genealogists researching living veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The researcher must write this office at 833 S. Spring Street, P.O. Box 19432, Springfield, Illinois 62794–9432. In the inquiry include the veteran’s name, war of service, and, if known, serial number. The only information which is available as public record is a veteran’s branch and dates of service. (Please consult the prior section on Veterans' Burials for information on deceased veterans.)

The National Personnel Records Center will provide information upon written request on living and deceased veterans. This office requires the veteran’s name, war and branch of service, and, if possible, social security or serial number for a records search. For living veterans releasable information is restricted to a person’s unit, location of service, schools attended, and awards and decorations. This office’s address is 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132.

State and Federal Veterans’ Homes (1887–1967)

Illinois Veterans’ Home (1887–1967)
The State of Illinois first assumed responsibility for the care of honorably discharged and disabled Civil War veterans in 1885 when the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, later the Illinois Veterans’ Home, at Quincy was authorized by the General Assembly. Over the years veterans of all wars became eligible for admission. Beginning in 1903 the qualified wives and daughters of veterans also were admitted.

Veterans’ Admission Record
The State Archives record series 259.001, Veterans’ Admission Record (1887–1967, 51 vols.), includes for each veteran admitted, his name, registration number, and county and town residence; pension amount; the regiment and the company served in; and dated notes on admission, readmission, furloughs, discharge, and death.

Veterans’ Case Files
The State Archives record series 259.002, Veterans’ Case Files (1887–1963, 54 cubic feet), documents deceased male residents and includes an admission application showing the veteran’s name, age, birthplace, residence, physical features, and enlistment record; a description of disabilities; a hospital surgeon’s report; death certificate; will; inventory of personal effects; and related correspondence. Beginning in 1919 files also include such items as medical examination reports, record of hospitalizations, clothing record, statements regarding dependents, naturalization certificates, and disability vouchers.

Women’s Case Files
The State Archives record series 259.004, Women’s Case Files (1910–1940, 2 cubic feet), covers veterans’ dependent women who were admitted to the Quincy facility. They include admission applications which list the woman’s name, county and town residence, and dated notes on admission, readmission, furloughs, discharge, and death. Also listed is the name, rank, regiment and company of the veteran whose benefits allowed the woman to be admitted. And if that veteran also was admitted, his registration number is given.

Researching On Your Own
The genealogist first should consult a card catalog index for the period 1887–1908 and a printed index for the years 1935 and beyond. These sources are available in the Archives’ reference room. These name indexes reference residents' case file numbers. The Veterans’ Admission Record, Veterans’ Case Files, and Women’s Case Files all are arranged by case file number. The Archives has no index for admissions between 1908 and 1935. However, file numbers for this period can be obtained by writing: The Illinois Veterans’ Home, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 1707 N. 12th Street, Quincy, Illinois 62301. If the resident was the spouse of a veteran, it may be necessary to consult both the veteran’s name and spouse’s name to locate a given file number because some entries were combined.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should indicate which record series he or she wants searched and provide an ancestor’s complete name and the approximate dates of residence. A copy of the most complete record found will be sent, if located.

Illinois Soldiers’ Widows’ Home (1896–1960)
The Illinois Soldiers’ Widows’ Home at Wilmington was authorized by the General Assembly in 1895. The purpose of this home was to care for the indigent mothers, wives, widows, and daughters of honorably discharged Illinois veterans. It was closed in 1963 at which time all of its residents were transferred to the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at Quincy.

The State Archives record series 260.001, Admission Files (1896–1960, 10 cubic feet), has significant value for genealogists. Files contain applications for admission, supplementary documentation of eligibility, and related correspondence. Admission applications comprise a certificate of identification; a certificate of the applicant’s physical condition; and a notarized statement which lists the woman’s name, age, height, race, birthplace, birth date, and occupation, the woman’s relationship to the veteran, marriage date if the applicant was a veteran’s wife, date of the veteran’s death, war in which the veteran fought, the veteran’s dates and places of enrollment and discharge, his rank, his regiment and company, his cause for discharge, the applicant’s pension amount and value of property owned, the number and ages of the applicant’s living children, and the name, address and relationship to the applicant of the person to be notified in the case of the applicant’s illness or death. Supplementary documents include birth, marriage, and discharge certificates; certificates of service; pension statements; and statements of inheritance.

Researching On Your Own
These files are arranged alphabetically by residents’ surnames. Archives staff can retrieve an appropriate file if given a resident’s complete name and her approximate period of residence.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should indicate that this particular record series should be searched. An ancestor’s complete name and the approximate time of residence should be provided. A copy of a resident’s file will be furnished, if located.

Danville National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (1898–1934)
The federal government opened the Danville National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the ninth such facility nationwide, in the summer of 1898. It continues operations today under the control of the United States Veterans' Administration. The State Archives has a copy of the National Archives record Register of Members, 1898–1934 (RS 955.003), on 32 rolls of microfilm. Included for each resident are the veteran’s name, resident number, rank, regiment and company, dates and places of enlistment and discharge, cause of discharge, nature of disability when admitted, state of birth, age, height, complexion, hair and eye color, indication of literacy, religion, occupation, marital status, state and town of residence, nearest relative’s name and address, dates of readmissions, dates of transfers, dates of discharges, pension certificate number, date and cause of death, grave location, and personal effects inventory.

Researching On Your Own
The first 2 rolls of microfilm consist of an index. The index is arranged roughly alphabetically by residents’ surnames and entries include admission dates. Reference is made to register numbers which are ordered in the remaining 30 rolls.

Mail, Telephone and Internet Requests
The genealogist should state that this record series is to be searched and provide the ancestor’s complete name and approximate admission date. A copy of the appropriate entry will be sent, if located.