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The Genealogical Significance ofWorld War I Draft Registration CardsZina RhoneWorld War I draft registration cards provide a wealth ofgenealogy information including the registrant’s name, dateand place of birth, citizenship status, ethnicity, nearestliving relatives, occupation, and the registrant’s physicaldescription.Session 6Slide 1 of 47
Zina Rhone has been with the National Archives at Atlantasince March 2001. She is an archives technician for ResearchServices. Zina provides research reference assistance andorientations to genealogy research. She gives consultation onZina RhoneArchives TechnicianNational Archivesat Atlantarecord groups related to genealogical and historical interests.She holds a Certification for Life Coaching and PersonalCounseling and a B.A. degree in Religious Studies fromMidwest Theology Institute, IL (2010).Session 6Slide 2 of 47
The Genealogical significance ofthe WWI Draft Registration CardsSpeaker: Zina RhoneOctober 29, 2014Session 6Slide 3 of 47
Workshop Goals .1. Give Brief Historical Perspective on the WWI Draft2. Explain Creation and Arrangement of the Cards3. Discuss Genealogical Significance of the CardsSession 6Slide 4 of 47
HISTORICALArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and hiswife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg areassassinated June 28,1914.Session 6Slide 5 of 47
FIRST SHOTS FIREDPrincip is the Serbian nationalistwho assassinates the Archdukeand Duchess after the firstassassin from his group fails.Gavrillo PrincipSession 6 The first man throws a grenade at the open car It bounces off the back of the car, landing in thestreet just as the second car passes over it The explosion injures several people. The procession stops and heads for the hospital The road to the hospital places the Archduke andDuchess directly in the path of Princip. Princip uses his pistol to fire two shots into the car. One hits the Archduke in the neck and the other hitsthe Duchess in the abdomen. These are said to be the first shots fired in WWISlide 6 of 47
Allies and EnemiesWith the Archduke out of the way Austria-Hungary wasable to secure a promise from Germany to aid in the waragainst Serbia and possibly Russia. Russian and Serbian Treaty French and Russian Treaty Germany invades Belgium and gains access to France Britain and France and declare war on Germany Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa enter the waras former colonies of Britain. Japan in treaty with Britain declares war on Germany Austria-Hungary declares war on Japan for declaring war onGermanySession 6Slide 7 of 47
WORLD WAR ONEBegins June 1914 .USA triesto stay neutralOn May 1, 1915 the BritishLiner the Lusitania istorpedoed by a German Uboat. The Liner sinks, 1,198people die, 128 of themAmericans.Session 6Slide 8 of 47
The Draft Chronology . USA Declares War April 6, 1917 Congress Enacts Selective Service Law,May 18, 1917. Three Registration days celebration events. June 5, 1917 June 5, 1918 September 12,1918 .The War Ends November 11, 1918.Session 6Slide 9 of 47
SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT 18 May 1917Process for drafting individuals for induction into the US Army5 Aspects of the Act Under the Provost Marshal General1. REGISTRATION: Taking of a military census. Cards were distributed by theSecretary of War based on 1910 census but allowed for changes in population sincethat census.2. SELECTION: Process of national lottery to determine order of induction3. CLASSIFICATION: Process for determinationof exemptions and slackers4. INDUCTION: Reporting for military duty at the office of the local board5. ENTRAINMENT: Inductees delivered to mobilization camps for training atwhich time all responsibilities of the Provost marshal General and Selective ServiceSystem are completed.Session 6Slide 10 of 47
These are not military recordsLess than 10% of the 24 million men who registered were actually draftedRecord Group 163Records of the Selective Service System (World War I)Session 6Slide 11 of 47
After the War? Records transferred to the Adjutant Generalin Washington, D.C. November 27, 1918 Later transferred to the U.S. Census Bureau. Accessioned by National Archives: 1940’s. In 1956, transferred to Federal RecordsCenter, East Point, Georgia. 2002-2005: Re-boxing and Relocationprojects completed in Morrow, Georgia.Session 6Slide 12 of 47
The cards’ old home in EastPoint, GeorgiaSession 6Slide 13 of 47
What do the cards look like?3 different registration days3 different forms3 different sets of questionsSession 6Slide 14 of 47
June 5, 1917.A-CardAll men ages 21 - 31.Born between6/6/1886 and6/5/1896.9,925,751 registered.Session 6Slide 15 of 47
June 5, 1918.B-CardAll men who hadbecome 21 sinceprevious registration.Born between 6/6/1896and 8/24/1897.Supplementalregistration August24th for men who hadbecome 21 since June5th.912,564 registered.Session 6Slide 16 of 47
September 12, 1918.C-CardAll men ages 18 - 21,and 31 - 47.Born between 9/13/1872and 9/12/1900. Catch allregistration day.13,395,706 registered.Session 6Slide 17 of 47
How are the cards arranged? The 3 types of cards are interfiled andarranged alphabetically by State. Then, alphabetically by County or innumerical order by local Draft Board. Next, alphabetically by Surname andthen given name. Exceptions: Mass., Conn., Detroit, etc.Session 6Slide 18 of 47
THE SYSTEMThe Cards give an amazingDemographic Snapshot/More ThanJust Face ValueSession 6Slide 19 of 47
Citizenship/Nationality Natural BornNaturalizedAllied AliensNeutral AliensEnemy Aliens: German, Austria-Hungary,Turkey, Countries Controlled by Nations atWar with US & Allies Prisons (Inmates/Patients & Indians(Citizen/Non-Citizen)Session 6Slide 20 of 47
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How do I find my relative’s card ?What Information do I need to begin asearch?You Need to Know If the Man Was Born 1872-1900.You Need to Know His Full Legal Name & Any OtherNames He May Have Used.Session 6Slide 26 of 47
What genealogy nuggets can befound on the card?That depends onthe card and the candor! The cards help bridge the information gapcaused by the loss of the 1890 census. They have proven valuable in locatingforeign born ancestors. They assist in researching AfricanAmerican and Native American ancestors.Session 6Slide 27 of 47
Father & Son at same addressSession 6Slide 28 of 47
Can’t Find A Card? Registered with a different Draft Board. Variation in spelling of name./Assumed orNick Incorrect information, (i.e., street address.) Person did not register. Person enlisted or already in the service. Improperly filed. Was not in the general populationSession 6Slide 29 of 47
Improperly listed as an Indian but was actually an Enemy AlienSession 6Slide 30 of 47
Registered Under An Assumed or Nick NameSession 6Slide 31 of 47
Session 6Removed From Citizenship ByIncarcerationSlide 32 of 47
NO RECOGNIZED CITIZENSHIPCLASSIFICATIONSession 6Slide 33 of 47
ILLNESS or INFIRMITYSession 6Slide 34 of 47
Notable Registrants sSession 6Slide 35 of 47
ExemptionClaim“Yes, Don’t Want To Fight”Session 6Slide 36 of 47
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ADDITIONAL RELATED RECORDS Classification Lists Dockets: Maintainedby local boards to show the process ofclassification physical examination, claimsfor exemption or discharge from the draftand the appeals process of each registrant.These also show the mobilization camp towhich each individual was ordered toreport. PMGO Records: Lists of men ordered toreport to local boards for military duty.Delinquents and Deserters Forms.Session 6Slide 39 of 47
CLASSIFICATIONLISTSSession 6Slide 40 of 47
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LIST OF MENORDERED TOREPORTSession 6Slide 42 of 47
DELINQUENTS& DESERTERSSession 6Slide 43 of 47
What about Post-World War IDraft Records?RG 147 Selective Service System Draft Registration CardsFrom WWII and Forwardcheck with the on the Web at:WWW.SSS.GOVSession 6Slide 44 of 47
Viewing WWI Cards:The Internet or In-person Color digital scans are available from Order ronline.html Ancestry.com is available for free on NARA public accesscomputers (good look-up source) Call (770) 968-2100 for Southeast Region visitSession 6Slide 45 of 47
Questions ?Session 6Slide 46 of 47
Presenter didn’tget to your question?You may email us atinquire@nara.govSession 6Slide 47 of 47
Natural Born Naturalized Allied Aliens Neutral Aliens Enemy Aliens: German, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Countries Controlled by Nations at War with US & Allies Pris
