Spotlight on State Archives: Pennsylvania (http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us) The Archives Records Information Access System (ARIAS) of the Pennsylvania State Archives was designed to make the state government's archival records accessible to a broader audience. Currently, there are about 1.5 million records online. They are may be of interest to anyone researching family members from Pennsylvania who served in the military. The original card files have been microfilmed and digitized. The Pennsylvania State Archives provides detailed instructions on how to use ARIAS and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). To access this information, just click on the links at the top of the ARIAS homepage. The following are some records series currently available through ARIAS. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861 - 1866 This database is arranged alphabetically by surname. The card file developed from a list of Civil War veterans, which was compiled for an index to Samuel Penniman Bates' book, "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861 - 1865." Pennsylvania's Office of the Adjutant General later added records from the original Civil War Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1861 - 1866. The information on the cards includes the soldier's name, military unit, citations from the Bates' book (volume and page number), age at enrollment, physical description, residence and birthplace, date and place where the soldier enrolled, date and place where he mustered in, and date of discharge. Mexican Border Campaign Veterans' Card File The source for this database is a card file titled the "Mexican Emergency, Call of President, June 18, 1916." The information on the cards includes the veteran's name and rank; regiment and company; age and place of birth; physical description; date of commission or enlistment; home station and date of rendezvous; and date of acceptance into United States service. Examples of additional data included are the date the soldier's enlistment expired and emergency contact information. World War I Service Medal Application Cards This database was compiled from cards submitted by veterans of World War I and their survivors who applied for service medals. The information on the cards includes name and serial number, place of residence on entry into service, date and place the veteran entered into service, rank, military unit, place and date of honorable discharge, and the applicant's signature. Spanish American War Veterans' Card File of United States Volunteers This file includes information on veterans of the Spanish-American War. It was created in 1941 from official records of the United States War Department. The data about each veteran includes name, race, residence, place and date of birth, date and place of enlistment, military organization to which he was attached, rank, and dates serving in either Cuba or the Philippines. In some cases, additional comments will be found on the cards. Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File This alphabetical file contains transcriptions of data extracted from Pennsylvania State Archives' original records regarding Revolutionary War service in the Pennsylvania Militia, Pennsylvania Line, and the Navy. The data contained in each record includes the name and rank of the soldier, duty status (active or inactive), county of residence, battalion in which the soldier served, and the record from which the information was extracted. Militia Officers Index Cards, 1775 - 1800 This alphabetical card file contains the names of Pennsylvania militia officers who served during the Revolutionary War, in Indian campaigns in northwestern Pennsylvania, and in putting down the Whisky Rebellion. The data includes name, county, rank, company or battalion, dates of service, and township. On occasion, additional information, such as place of burial, wounds received, names of children, and date discharged, is included on the card. Click on the PHMC Web Site link to connect to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission home page to explore the onsite resources of the Pennsylvania State Archives. Visit http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us to help guide your research into the military service of your Pennsylvania ancestors. Sally Rolls Pavia sallypavia2001@yahoo.com "A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good." List Owner: GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES-L-request@rootsweb.com Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES "All incoming and outgoing email checked by Norton Anti-Virus"