My largest amount of "e" mail comes from persons asking how they can find an ancestor's record of participation in America's greatest struggle. I am certainly not an expert, as this is a hobby for me, but have learned a few lessons that I am glad to pass on..
......The key to finding a Georgia soldier's record, (or any other state, really), is his "unit", usually a "regiment". That may have been infantry, cavalry, artillery, or the CS Navy. Once the unit is know, then finding the records are relatively simple. Establishing the unit may be extremely frustrating, as a designation as the "1st Georgia Infantry", could have several interpretations: 1st Ga. Regulars, 1st Ga. Sharpshooters, 1st Georgia Volunteers, 1st Georgia Reserves, 1st Georgia Militia, 1st Georgia State Troops, 1st Georgia Legion, and on and on. Complicating this, is the local designation given when it was formed. When formed in Americus, Ga. in June of 1861, my GGGrandfather's unit was called "The Americus Volunteer Rifles". Their official unit was Company "K", Ninth Georgia Volunteer Infantry.However, once the unit has been determined, the records will be under that unit. Also, the name may be mis-spelled, so use caution. One of my ancestors was Jacob Wilkins Cobb, Jr. The majority of his records were under J.W. Cobb, and one was under Jacob Witherspoon Cobb. I have no explanation for this, except to advise that it happens frequently.
The one most comprehensive record for Georgia, is Lillian Henderson's "Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia, 1861-1865". This was an attempt to put in one Volumn, the records of Georgia's Rebel soldiers. It is fairly extensive, but is not 100% accurate. Don't give up if your soldier's name is not there. As in any publication, there are errors and omissions. The biggest omission is the failure to have info on the numerous "Legions" from Georgia. A "Legion" was a combination of arms-infantry, cavalry, and artillery in the same unit. This is not a criticism of the work, we are extremely fortunate that Mrs. Henderson and the State of Georgia produced this roster, it is just not complete. Most larger libraries, in the South, at least, will contain a copy of "Roster..." in the reference section, and is certainly time well spent.
Try these internet web-sites for more detailed explanations and assistance. The proliferation of sites on Georgia's sons during the war is ever-expanding, so much can be done on your home computer. The cost of receiving microfilmed copies is approx. $25.00, with a time frame of 3-6 weeks.
Read this one first....... U.S. Civil War Center -- Researching People
then........
Georgia Military Records
Georgia Regimental Histories
Regimental Histories-Dakota State Univ.
Georgia State Archives
NATF form 80 National Archives
Lastly, professional researchers can be located for you (in Atlanta), by requesting their assistance from Georgia State Archives . There is, of course, a fee associated with them.
To request a Confederate soldier's records from Atlanta or Washington, D.C., (your choice, and both mailing addresses are below), you must know his name and unit. Pensions received by Confederate soldiers were granted by Georgia, not the U.S. Gov't., so only Atlanta will have Pension records.
1) Mail a letter requesting the form necessary for a search of the archives for a Confederate soldier.
2) They will respond with a list of what they have found, and the form for you to complete. When you have received the proper form, complete it as much as possible, and return it with the payment (approx $25.00). The National Archives form can be requested on-line at NATF form 80 National Archives .
3) You will receive photocopies of the records in 3-6 weeks.
An excellent book on this is Bertram Hawthorne Groene's "Tracing Your Civil War Ancestor".
Mailing addresses:
Military Service Branch (NNMS)
National Archives and Records Service
The National Archives
8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20408
or
Georgia Department of Archives and History
Civil War Records Section
330 Capitol Avenue, S.W.
Atlanta, Ga. 30334
Return to the Ninth Georgia Regiment, CSA
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