Finding Your Civil War Ancestor

Uncovering Your Ancestor's Story

Your blue and gray ancestral stories are waiting to be told.  With the sesquicentennial of the civil war igniting family researchers and local history buffs to uncover their civil war ancestor's histories, local museums and State Archives and Historical Societies are expecting increased visitation numbers, and online magazines have joined in the celebration. 

From the attack of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861 to the end of the four year Civil War, over 620,000 soldiers, died in combat. Some bodies remained on the battlefields, others made it home to the family to mourn the remains; and some heroic efforts  became well known and still warrant a chapter in our history books. 

Incidents of the War, Library of Congress

But, you must be warned, expect some surprises. Although many of the civil war stories start off the same: "Little Johnny went off to serve in the war. and left his young bride with child" the rest of the story is unique to your soldier.


AARP online magazine has recently added a Genealogy channel. To unearth your Civil War ancestor's story, you may wish to begin with the following article: Researching Your Civil War Ancestry penned by Kathleen Brandt.  If you are new to digging for Civil War ancestors, be sure to peruse the five (5) online resource links outlined to begin your search by determining your veteran's service history.

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