FREE ACCESS TO ALL OF ANCESTRY.COM'S MILITARY RECORDS

In honor of Veterans Day, Ancestry.com is providing free access to all of their military records from now until midnight 11 November 2015.

Collections included in these records include:

1. U.S. National homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
2. U.S. Navy Cruise Books, 1918-2009
3. War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812-1815
4. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
5. Records of the Grand Army of the Republic

A free three page research guide for the Military Records on Ancestry may be downloaded by clicking HERE.

WWI RECORDS FREE AT MYHERITAGE

If you are searching for records of one of your ancestors who served in World War I, this is the ideal time to check out the records on MyHeritage. Look-ups on these records are free through the end of July.

Happy ancestor hunting. 

FREE CIVIL WAR RECORDS ON FOLD3 THIS MONTH

 In remembrance of the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861, Fold3 is providing free access to all of records in its Civil War Collection until 30 April 2014.

Happy ancestor hunting.

Olive Tree Genealogy Blog: Free Access to Civil War Records on Fold3:   To remember the commencement of the Civil War in April 1861, FOLD 3 invites you to explore all records in its Civil War Collection for f...

FAMILYSEARCH RECORDS ADDED AND UPDATED JULY 29 AND AUGUST 1, 2013

The following Family Search record collections have been ADDED and updated July 29 and August 1, 2013.

The number of record collections with these records added has increased by ten from 1,624 to 1,634.  Good News!! - From my calculations this means that all of the military records that were added on July 29th are new records on FamilySearch.  To researchers that are looking for some military records of Twentieth Century military ancestors that were captured, wounded or killed this could mean that you will be able to find information on your ancestors' sacrifice for the protection of our country.

Happy Ancestor Hunting.

Title	Records	Last Updated
BillionGraves Index	4,590,682	*01 Aug 2013
Ireland, Tithe Applotment Books, 1814-1855	753,924	*01 Aug 2013
Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1891	889,777	*01 Aug 2013
United States, American Prisoners of War During the Korean War, 1950-1953	4,714	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Casualties of Army Personnel, Dependents and Civilian Employees, 1961-1981	70,010	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Casualties of the Vietnam War, 1956-1998	58,965	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Index to the Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Registers, 1906-1991	26,212	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Japanese Americans Relocated During World War II, 1942-1946	109,368	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Korean War Battle Deaths, 1950-1957	33,642	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Korean War Dead and Army Wounded, 1950-1953	109,961	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Korean War Repatriated Prisoners of War, 1950-1954	4,447	*29 Jul 2013
United States, Military Personnel who Died During the Vietnam War, 1956-2003	58,230	*29 Jul 2013
United States, World War II Prisoners of War of the Japanese, 1941-1945	29,879	*29 Jul 2013

Ancestry.com FREE access to Sons of American Revolution Membership Applications database

If you have been searching for your Revolutionary War ancestors, Ancestry.com has an free offer (for a short time) that will aid you in that research.  One of the best ways to find your Revolutionary War ancestors is to search lineage applications that have been filed by others.  To help with that, Ancestry.com has FREE access to Sons of American Revolution (SAR) Membership Applications database until July 7th.  You can search this collection now.

You will be able to see an image of the application with information on who the application was filed for and the source information used in support of the application.  You can access this database at http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2204.

Note:  Many lineage societies, including SAR and DAR have stricter requirements on documentation and proof than is often found in older applications.  Check the current “proof” requirements for any lineage society you are seeking to join.  If nothing else, older applications can provide great clues to not only the records you need in support of your own application but also may provide information for your personal family lineage research.

Happy ancestor hunting.

DID MY ANCESTOR SERVE IN THAT WAR?

Your ancestor's BIRTH DATE tells you what WARS he may have fought in.  Family Tree Magazine posted this infographic on their Facebook page and asked readers to share it.  This summarizes what wars an ancestor may have served in based on his birth-date.  If you find that you possibly have an ancestor that served in a conflict, go to Fold3.com and search for his information.  Don't have a Fold3 subscription?  You can access Fold3 free at the Broadmoor Branch of the Shreve Memorial Library.
 

FOLD3 FLAG DAY SPECIAL

This seems to be the week for specials.  The following is a notice from Fold3.com about their Flag Day Special.  If you are not already aware, Fold3 is the site to go to for military records, especially Revolutionary War, Mexican and Indian Wars, War of 1812, Civil War and draft registration cards for World War I & II.  There also have non-military collections such as Census Records.   The regular price is $79.95 a year and they have it on sale for $49.95.  If you are already a member of Fold3 and also a member of Ancestry.com you get an additional discount of $10  for a renewal, making your yearly renewal subscription only $39.95.  Note the sale ends June 30^th at midnight.

Here is the link for the special offer   http://go.fold3.com/buynow/?c=20130630T&xid=1608

Happy hunting for your military ancestor.

Celebrate Flag Day with a Special Limited-Time Offer EXPIRES JUNE 30th AT MIDNIGHT Benefits of a Fold3 Membership: Access over 400 million records Partnerships with The National Archives and other institutions Unique set of content that perfectly complements other websites like Ancestry.com Over 2 million registered Fold3 Members Click here to see what we've added recently. Hurry! This offer ends June 30th at midnight!

 

SEARCH MILITARY RECORDS FOR FREE OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

If you need to search military records for joining a lineage societiy or just to find some of your military ancestors, be sure and take advantage of the following:

Four Sites Offering Free Military Records for a Limited Time!

Findmypast.com, MyHeritage and Ancestry.com are offering military records for free in honor of Memorial Day. Fold3 is making its just-completed US Colored Troops service records collection free to mark the USCT's sesquicentennial.  Find out more about each site's offer on the Genealogy Insider blog: FINDMYPAST.COM MILITARY RECORDS» MYHERITAGE MILITARY RECORDS» ANCESTRY.COM MILITARY RECORDS» USCT SERVICE RECORDS ON FOLD3» Happy Ancestor Hunting.

MILITARY RESEARCH ON FAMILYSEARCH

US Pension Indexes Online at FamilySearch  The following is a list of Military Pension Record Collections that are available on FamilySearch.org United States, Old War Pension Index, 1815-1926 Description Card index to pension files located at the National Archives for service in the Regular Army, Navy or Marine Corps between 1783 and 1861. This collection is part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publication T316.The event date and place represent the earliest filing of either the veteran or dependent.   United States, War of 1812 Index to Pension Application Files, 1812-1910 Description Name index and images of the jacket-envelope that contains the pension application files located in the National Archives. The envelope will provide soldier name and military service information as well as widow name and pension and bounty land numbers. This collection is part of Record Group 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is National Archives Microfilm publication M313. United States, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications Description Images of revolutionary war pensions. United States, Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926 Description Index and images of card index to pension files located at the National Archives for service in the Indian Wars between 1817 and 1898. The files are part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publication T318. United States, Mexican War Pension Index, 1887-1926 Description Card index to Mexican War pension files located at the National Archives for service between 1846 and 1848. These records are a part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and are NARA microfilm publication T317. The event date and place represent the earliest filing of either the veteran or widow. United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 Description Images of the name index to pension files held at the National Archives. The files relate to service between 1861 and 1916. Most of the files are for Union Civil War service but also include the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion and Regular U.S. military forces. These records are a part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and are NARA microfilm publication T288. The event date and place represent the earliest filing of either the veteran,widow or minor. Currently this collection is 59% complete. Additional records will be added as they are completed. These record collections are all indexes.  Some of the actual images of the records are free on FamilySearch and some require a subscription to Fold3 to view the image.  Remember, Fold3 is free to use at the Broadmoor Branch Library. The War of 1812 Index and the General Index to Pension Files are not complete and additional records are being added as they are completed.  I will post on this blog as the records are added, so keep checking back. Happy ancestor hunting.