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Archiver > RHEA > 1998-05 > 0894645704


From: PHHGENE <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: Confederate Records Source
Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 12:41:44 EDT


This was published in Ancestry's newsletter, thought you all might like to
read it.

SHAKING YOUR FAMILY TREE by Myra Vanderpool Gormley

Confederate Ancestors: Men in Gray

Millions of Americans have ancestors who wore the Confederate gray or
butternut uniforms (a light brown color resulting from a dye made from
the butternut tree). Many a genealogist has discovered his or her
ancestor wore Union Blue when family tradition claims he was a
Confederate--and vice-versa. Moreover, it is not uncommon to find an
ancestor who fought on both sides.

Men who served during the Civil War were usually born between 1806 and
1849, but there are instances of those who participated being younger or
older. Never assume your ancestor was too young or too old to have taken
part, or that they were Yankees or Rebels. If you determine where your
families were living at the time of the 1860 federal census, this
usually will narrow your research somewhat, since most soldiers served
in units formed within their neighborhoods, states or territories.

If you have discovered a Confederate ancestor, there may be additional
information about him and/or his regiment or company at the Confederate
Research Center in Hill College, Hillsboro, Texas. This archival
depository also contains many files of soldiers' letters, diaries and
unpublished manuscripts.

"While not a genealogical library, researchers have on occasion found
pictures of their Confederate ancestors here," according to Peggy Fox,
the director.

Among the center's other treasures are capsule histories of all 3,200
Confederate regiments and special units and ships. It also has an
extensive file of magazines and newspaper clippings, including major
Texas newspapers published during the Civil War, the military service
records of all members of Hood's Texas Brigade, Confederate generals and
staff offices, and an index listing of all Confederate soldiers showing
their companies and regiments.

Research service is offered for a fee (about $15 per person), but due to
the volume of inquiries it usually takes six to eight weeks for a reply.
Request the forms first (the center will bill you for the research) by
writing to:

Confederate Research Center and Museum, Harold B. Simpson Hill College
History Complex, P.O. Box 619, Hillsboro, TX 76645

There are no reliable figures, due to the lack of surviving records, of
the total number of those who fought for the South during Civil War, but
historians estimate there were from 600,000 to more than one million
Confederate soldiers and sailors. There are compiled service records for
Confederate enlisted soldiers and officers along with a master index,
"Consolidated Index to Compiled Service Records of Confederate
Soldiers." These microfilmed records are available at the National
Archives, its regional branches, and through the Family History Library
system.

Pensions were granted to Confederate veterans, widows and orphans by
the former Confederate states. Generally Southern states did not begin
granting pensions until about 1880, and initially they were limited to
indigent or disabled veterans, but requirements were gradually broadened
and extended to cover widows of veterans.

Confederate veterans received a pension from the state of their postwar
residence, not necessarily the state from which they served. Contact the
appropriate state archives for pension information. Most charge a search
fee.

For additional information about the Civil War, visit these sites:

-- The American Civil War Homepage at
http://www.access.digex.net/~bdboyle/cw.html

-- The U.S. Civil War Center at Louisiana State University at
http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/

An excellent book on the subject is Brian A. Brown's "In the Footsteps
of the Blue and Gray: A Civil War Research Handbook," Brown
Publications, P.O. Box 25501, Little Rock, AR 72221 ($26.95 postpaid).

*************************

(c) 1998, Los Angeles Times Syndicate

In addition to her weekly column, which is in syndication by the LA
Times Syndicate, Myra Vanderpool Gormley and Julie Case are co-editors
of Missing Links, a free weekly genealogy magazine. To subscribe, send
your request to:

This address is for SUBSCRIPTIONS ONLY
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