Thank you all who gave me some hints on researching my relative who served with Pershing, particularly Bob in Az. Carolyn

Fellow Researchers, In the early 1920's, the state of New York decided that it wanted to honor its sons who had served in the Great War by publishing a volume of all who had participated in the armed services. To do this, the state went through the military records held by the federal government. (The same records that were destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1973 at the National Archives). The information was put on 4x6 cards but the entire file of each serviceman was not copied. The information contained on these cards include: Surname Christian Name Serial Number Race Residence Enlisted or Inducted (Where and When) Place of Birth Age or Date of Birth Organizations Served In Engagements Wounds or other injuries received in action Served Overseas (Dates) Percent Disabled on date of discharge Remarks Parentheses are mine. The state never published their results BUT these cards are still available through the New York State Archives in Albany. If you go to the web site www.sara.nysed.gov/holding/fact/milform.htm you can print a copy of the form to use to order a records search. The more information that you can provide, the more likely they can supply you with a photo copy of the record that you are looking for. The cost of the search and photo copy is $1 and if they do not find anything, they return your check. Other records that can be ordered off of this research form are: Revolutionary War land grants to Continental Officers and Soldiers ($3) War of 1812 payroll cards and veterans' claims (post-1859) ($3) Civil war abstracts of muster rolls ($3) Spanish-American War summary service cards ($1) I have only had reason to receive the World War I records so I cannot say how useful the records for the other wars are but it's always worth a try. Heather Lindholm wrote: Could any one tell me if where I can look for World War I records for my grandfather Leon L. Ross who served in the Army during WWI and whose records were burned in the fire in 1973? I had heard that some records had copies made and towns kept them. I also wondered if the DAR could possibly have his records. I know he enlisted in Glens Falls, NY. Any and all help would be appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time. Good hunting, Robert Silverstein Aurora, Colorado Searching: BROCKMAN, FLAMENDORF/FLOMENDORF, FRIEDLANDER, HOFFNUNG, JALOSHINSKY, KAUFMAN, MERVES, NUSBAUM, PRSYSTANCSYK, SILVERSTEIN, ZDALEKA/ZDALEKIER/ ZDYXALSKI

Thanks for your reply! My ancestor, actually my husband's, George HICKS, lived near Albany and was a drummer boy in the 4th Regiment of NY Militia, 2nd Battalion of Rensselaerwyck, 7th Co. under Cpt. Anthony Brease His pension records from the National Archives indicate only that he was in this particular regiment...no specifics about battles, campaigns, etc. There are several people researching his line and they've been unable to come up with old letters or accounts of his wartime experiences. What a treasure such documents would be! At the suggestion of someone on the mailing list I have borrowed a book by John C. Dann entitled, The Revolution Remembered: Eyewitness Accounts of the War for Independence, University of Chicago Press (1980) which gives details from personal accounts of enlisted men in various regiments and units. It is interesting reading but not indexed according to units or regiments. It has also been suggested that what I need to find are "orderly books" since regimental histories of the various militias are not available. Perhaps you could write the first one! Another suggestion: James Biser Whisker's book, The American Colonial Militia: The Colonial Militias of NY, NJ, Del and Md., Edwin Mellen Press (1997). I cannot locate this book at our local library of Western Michigan University's library so I can't speak for what's in it. Good luck with your project... Diane in Kalamazoo D lampson wrote: > Hi! > If you find any such histories please let me know. > I have not found any. I am researching the 10th Albany Militia Regiment > from Livingston Manor. If I want a history of it, I am afraid I will > have to write it myself. I just might do that. > Was your ancestor at Saratoga? Heritage Hunters are Compiling the > names. I can send you the link if you wish. > Since there is quite a bit of uncertainty as to what Albany County > Militia Regiments made up Ten Broeck's Albany Militia Brigade at > Saratoga, I would be interested to know if his pension papers indicate > that he was at Saratoga (Battles were on Sept. 19 & Oct. 7, 1777. > "Rensselear" is the usual spelling of the Colonel's name. > I have to go out now, but I will riun my Data on your ancestors > name later. > Don Lampson > > D Holmes wrote: > > > > Our ancestor, Benjamin Hicks, served in the 4th Regiment of the NY > > Militia (1776-1781). I have confirmed this with pension and DAR > > records. I am interested in the history of the regiment. He served > > under Cpt. Anthony Bries (Breas) and Col. Van Rensellear (sp?). All I > > can find at the library are lists of officers and enlisted men and > > general information about NY before and during the Revolution. > > > > Can anyone refer me to a helpful text or a website that would have the > > history of this regiment? I would be glad to share what I find. > > > > Thanks for any information or leads... > > > > Diane > > dholmes@net-link.net

Betty, I live near the AZ State Library and know they have an extensive collection of books for researching genealogy. Their on line catalog is at: http://dlaprcat.lib.az.us/uhtbin/Webcat I just checked it out and they listed 12 books on their shelves, using keyword: Pancho Villa. There is one that may be of interest to you tittled "Chasing Villa; the story behind the story of Pershing's expidition into Mexico", by Col. Frank Tompins. 1868- General note:"Commisioned personel of the U.S. Army who served with the Punitive expidition" p. 257-270 You may be able to arrange an interlibrary loan with this library. Check it out. Happy Hunting. Bob Blakeslee, Phoenix AZ

Since Pancho Villa was entering New Mexico and Arizona, you might try their state archives to see if they have any useful information. For Arizona contact nsawyer@lib.az.us I do not know where to contact NM but it is probably on rootsweb somewhere. ----- Original Message ----- From: <South218@aol.com> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:33 AM Subject: [NY-Mil] Pancho Villa > I had an uncle who served with Gen. Pershing while looking for Pancho Villa > in Mexico. > Also another uncle who supposedly died of influenza while returning from WW1. > His body was buried at sea. > Could anyone give me any idea where I could obtain any information on these > two men. > Thanks > Carolyn > South Carolina > >

To clarify for the list: Approximately 80% of the US Army records from 1912 through 1959 were destroyed in a fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center in St Louis. What was a six story building is now a five story building. This includes records of the Army Air Corps during World War II as they were actually Army personnel. There is also a section of the alphabet for Air Force records that were destroyed but I do not have the exact break at my fingertips as I write this so rather than err I will wait until I dig it out. Thus a substantial portion of Army personnel records for World War I, World War II, and Korea were lost to the fire. A travesty for future genealogists when you realize how much the Revolutionary War and Civil War Records are used today. There are however other possible resources at the National Archives at College Park MD for World War I units records if you know the unit they served with. Often there is a unit diary and the onion skin copies of all the correspondence for the unit. Also there are ships passenger lists for those going overseas and coming back. You must know the unit however. These lists also give the name and address and relationship of the person to be notified in case the ship sunk. At St Louis there are Morning Reports for World War II which survived the fire. These are on microfilm and under control still of the Army but if you know of a date that an incident occurred and the unit and serial number you can request a copy. remember that the Morning Report only reported people by exception, such as when killed, missing, transferred to a hospital or another unit or promoted. They cannot do general name searches. Hope this is helpful John Bowen Silver Spring MD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bette" <betterich@uswest.net> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 7:29 PM Subject: Re: [NY-Mil] World War I records > Do you mean World War II? I did not know that the World War I records had > burned. My husband's burned too. This was for World War II. His for after > the war also burned. We were able to get reconstructed ones for World War > II. They never could do the ones afterwards. > > Send the form to NARA. Put every little bit of information that you know > about him in there. Especially where he lived when he enlisted or was > drafted if you know or if you do not guess at it and say he might have lived > there. Do the same for his residences after the war. Cities and counties > are good even if you do not know the street address. Put in the name of his > wife (s). Was he ever treated in a Veteran's Hospital or could he have > been? If you have any idea where he served (France, Italy, South Pacific) > put that in. There are not enough spaces on the form for all this but > either attach it or write outside the spaces. They can reconstruct most of > them. If you have not done this try it. Otherwise, go to the County Clerk > or Recorder's Office in the county in which he lived when he was discharged > and ask if they have a copy. Some do, some don't. Could he have belonged > to the VFW or American Legion? That might be a source too. If he is still > living, he needs to sign for the records. If he has passed away it is best > to send some kind of proof of his death. You can not obtain records for > living veterans. Good luck. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Greg & Heather Lindholm" <gh_lindholm@earthlink.net> > To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 5:01 PM > Subject: [NY-Mil] World War I records > > > > Could any one tell me if where I can look for World War I records for my > > grandfather Leon L. Ross who served in the Army during WWI and whose > records > > were burned in the fire in 1973? I had heard that some records had copies > > made and towns kept them. I also wondered if the DAR could possibly have > > his records. I know he enlisted in Glens Falls, NY. Any and all help > would > > be appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time. > > Heather Lindholm > > > > > > >

I've just transcribed the muster role of the 57th New York State Volunteer Infantry from the regimental history, "Story of a Regiment," by Gilbert Frederick. The regiment was made up of companies recruited by Samuel K. Zook. Companies A, D, E, F & G were recruited mainly in New York City. Co. B, from the Utica area, Co. C from Kings & Lewis Counties, and Cos. H, I & K from Dutchess County. I am willing to share this file with others, but have no website where I can post it. The file is about 75K as a .txt file and I can send it as an attachment to an email to anyone who is interested. If you would like a copy, send me an email directly and I will attach a copy of the roster in a return email to you. BTW, my wife's great grandfather and one of his brothers . both from Windham, NY, enlisted in Co. H in 1861 and were with the regiment until almost the end of the war. Four long years... it's amazing that they survived, given the high casualty rates of many of the Civil War Regiments. We are fortunate to have a copy of Frederick's book, which was originally owned by my wife's great grandfather, the Civil War Vet... I understand that this book is fairly rare. -- George W. Peek mailto://gpeek@attglobal.net

I had an uncle who served with Gen. Pershing while looking for Pancho Villa in Mexico. Also another uncle who supposedly died of influenza while returning from WW1. His body was buried at sea. Could anyone give me any idea where I could obtain any information on these two men. Thanks Carolyn South Carolina

Could any one tell me if where I can look for World War I records for my grandfather Leon L. Ross who served in the Army during WWI and whose records were burned in the fire in 1973? I had heard that some records had copies made and towns kept them. I also wondered if the DAR could possibly have his records. I know he enlisted in Glens Falls, NY. Any and all help would be appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time. Heather Lindholm

Do you mean World War II? I did not know that the World War I records had burned. My husband's burned too. This was for World War II. His for after the war also burned. We were able to get reconstructed ones for World War II. They never could do the ones afterwards. Send the form to NARA. Put every little bit of information that you know about him in there. Especially where he lived when he enlisted or was drafted if you know or if you do not guess at it and say he might have lived there. Do the same for his residences after the war. Cities and counties are good even if you do not know the street address. Put in the name of his wife (s). Was he ever treated in a Veteran's Hospital or could he have been? If you have any idea where he served (France, Italy, South Pacific) put that in. There are not enough spaces on the form for all this but either attach it or write outside the spaces. They can reconstruct most of them. If you have not done this try it. Otherwise, go to the County Clerk or Recorder's Office in the county in which he lived when he was discharged and ask if they have a copy. Some do, some don't. Could he have belonged to the VFW or American Legion? That might be a source too. If he is still living, he needs to sign for the records. If he has passed away it is best to send some kind of proof of his death. You can not obtain records for living veterans. Good luck. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg & Heather Lindholm" <gh_lindholm@earthlink.net> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 5:01 PM Subject: [NY-Mil] World War I records > Could any one tell me if where I can look for World War I records for my > grandfather Leon L. Ross who served in the Army during WWI and whose records > were burned in the fire in 1973? I had heard that some records had copies > made and towns kept them. I also wondered if the DAR could possibly have > his records. I know he enlisted in Glens Falls, NY. Any and all help would > be appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time. > Heather Lindholm > >

I might suggest that much military information can be found by using this route; http://cyndislist.com Go To "Military Resources Worldwide" Go To "U.S.-Civil War ~ War of Southern Independence" or "U.S. Military" And Surf the Sites under these 2 Headings. Most people will find a lot of the information that they are asking for and also get an education. You may also find personal information if he had a widow who got a widows pension. Check 1850 US Census. There are State Census in New York, this is many times overlooked but is detailed and a souce of much information. Even though you may not find info about him exactily it will tell you about the time and the area that he came from, his family. You never know what you will find that is the pleasure of Genealogy. Richard Callard callard@dancris.net -----Original Message----- From: PJohn27974@aol.com [mailto:PJohn27974@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 7:28 AM To: NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [NY-Mil] HERBERT KNOWLES Who was HERBERT KNOWLES? Who was his family? He was taken prisoner and died while in prison. He was from the state of New York. Is there additional information to be found on this young man who gave his life fighting for his home state of New York. More than just the statistics below: KNOWLES, H., Private, 3d NY, Co. F, died July 1, 1865 Hampton National Cemetery Cemetery Rd. at Marshall Ave. Hampton, VA 23669 Phyllis in Fl.

Who was HERBERT KNOWLES? Who was his family? He was taken prisoner and died while in prison. He was from the state of New York. Is there additional information to be found on this young man who gave his life fighting for his home state of New York. More than just the statistics below: KNOWLES, H., Private, 3d NY, Co. F, died July 1, 1865 Hampton National Cemetery Cemetery Rd. at Marshall Ave. Hampton, VA 23669 Phyllis in Fl.

Thank you very much John and Fred. I am now searching into a much more limited area than before. Hope I find something. Thanks again, Don Baratta - --------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/

At 04:51 PM 5/24/00 -0400, rfs01@health.state.ny.us wrote: > From the 1890 Vets Census Richard allegedly served in the 12th >Deleware Infantry, Company B, enlisting in August 1862 and discharged >in Nov 1864, unfortunately I have been unable to find a record of any >such unit. The Delaware Infantry Regiments only go up to 9. A quick look at Dyer reveals that the 9 Infanty Regiments from Deleware do not appear to have been organized into Companies. The only unit having a Company B was the Deleware 1st Regiment Calvary. ********** John Clavin | jjc@bga.com | Austin, TX **********

I am searching for my great-grandfather Richard Walsh's parents, ancestors and siblings. Information obtained from my father, he was born in Cork and from the Fed Census I got a birth date of August 1837. From the 1890 Vets Census Richard allegedly served in the 12th Deleware Infantry, Company B, enlisting in August 1862 and discharged in Nov 1864, unfortunately I have been unable to find a record of any such unit. The Delaware Infantry Regiments only go up to 9. His father is possibly James and his mother Sara based solely on Irish naming conventions. I have a year of naturalization for Richard of 1853 from the 1900 Fed Census. He settled in Troy, NY after the war , unfortunately there's a half dozen or more Walsh families in Troy, NY in the 1880 Fed Census. I don't know if he was married in Troy but a calculation from "years married" in the Fed Census would put it at 1865 to Mary Bridget Fitzgerald. She went by Bridget and is believed by the family to have been born in County Wexford in May 1840(Fed Census) in Glencannon. I can't find any Glencannon in Ireland but there is a Duncannon in Wexford. Her father is said to be John Fitzgerald of Glynn, County Wexford. Thier children were: James born abt 1866 who later became a priest; Sara A. born December 1869 became a teacher; John Frederick born October 1871 who became a Rensselaer County NY Court Stenographer and later personal stenographer and secretary of Gov Alfred E. Smith till after he ran for President; Margaret L.,my grandmother, born January 6, 1873 and Mary F. born July 1876 also became a teacher. I was given a Civil War Medal of Honor from the Civil War when I was a teenager. I was told by my father it belonged to my great_granduncle and had been given to him by his mother. Unfortunately for me It was misplaced, hopefully not lost, when I went in service and my mother moved. As my grandmother was a Walsh I am leaning toward the John Walsh of the 5th NY Cavalry who won his Medal of Honor by recapturing the battle flag of a NJ regiment. From the Veteran's records John Walsh died in MA. There is also a Joseph Shea, born in Baltimore, MD who served in a NY Infantry Regiment. If anyone has any additional information on this man, it would be greatly appreciated as I know nothing but hearsay about Richard's parents or siblings and nothing about John, if he is Richard's brother. Any help I can find will be a boon to my research, TIA. Rick Shea Schenectady, NY Home: rfshea@banet.net Work: rfs01@health.state.ny.us

Hi there I have an ancestor who deserted during the Civil War, and, probably when they decided he definitely wasn't coming back, he was mustered out a few months later. I think it was a way of "clearing the books" and keeping the place tidy! Best wishes, John PERPETUALLY SEEKING: RYSDYK in Holland and New York/New Jersey: ELSWORTH in New York: PHILLIPS in London: GRASEMANN in Germany and London: BRICKS IN MY BRICKWALL INCLUDE: LEVERSTONE, ALLEN, PETLEY, RAINES, LEGASSICKE, WOODHAM, URMSON, ARNOLD, KING, ACOTT, TROTTER, ANDERSON, HOWELS, MITCHELL, ALFORD, WILLIS, TROTMAN, MANSFIELD, SWINDLE, NICKELS, PAVEY, ELWES, ILOTT, AND BEAUFORT, all in the UK. -----Original Message----- From: Bette [mailto:betterich@uswest.net] Sent: 21 May 2000 17:07 To: NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [NY-Mil] Significance of "mustered out" and "desertion" You can get mustered out for any reason at all. End of period of enlistment, illness, color-blindness, flat feet, you name it. Mustered out and discharged are generally the same. Usually you can not get a pension unless you have been honorably discharged. Someone who deserts has not had any kind of discharge usually unless it is resolved at a later date. Because of errors and other circumstances a person listed as a deserter might get a pension. In genealogy as in most things there are no absolutes. Never say never. ----- Original Message ----- From: <HZMagida@aol.com> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 10:19 AM Subject: [NY-Mil] Significance of "mustered out" and "desertion" > In reading data from ancestry.com civil war database - the term "muster" > seems to be used in different ways - it suggests a transfer or transition > between military units or a type of discharge. > > One possible relative was "mustered out" about six weeks after enlistment - > before his unit was sent on any military missions. Can anyone comment on > what that means? Voluntary discharge? medically unfit? > > Another possible relative deserted after two years of service in a NY > Infantry - would desertion automatically disqualify him for a pension (e.g. > no record)? > > --Helen Magida > Baltimore, MD > >

Don: Here is some information and a web site that may help out: "By the end of 1898, the US Army artillery was organized into seven regiments, two of which were created that year. In 1901, the regimental organization was abolished and the individual batteries became an Artillery Corps with 126 companies of coast artillery and 30 companies of field artillery. In 1907, the Artillery Corps was split into a field artillery branch with a regimental organization and a Coast Artillery Corps composed of separate companies. Additional companies of coast artillery were created, making a total of 170 companies. In 1924, the regimental organization of the entire Coast Artillery was restored, an organization status that lasted until the Coast Artillery regiments were broken up into battalions in 1943. Web site: http://www.cdsg.org/CACunits.htm Fred Jones ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Baratta" <dbaratta@coastaccess.com> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 10:15 PM Subject: [NY-Mil] 9th Coastal Defence > Hi, > > I've been trying to track down my father's military records. He told me that he joined the 9th Coastal Defence in 1916 and subsequently transferred to the cavalry. > > Can anyone give me any information or direction about the 9th Coastal Defence? > > Thanks, > Don Baratta > ----------------------------------------------------- > Click here for Free Video!! > http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ > >

Hi, I'm new to this particular list, and I'm wondering if anyone out there can give me some help in finding an address for the New York State Nat'l Guard 7th Regiment. One of my grandfather's was a member of it, and I haven't been able to find a current address for it. I can remember as a small child going with my grandfather to watch them drill in the Armory in NYC, but that's about all that I remember. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance, Barbara in MO

Helen Magida and others, The term "Muster" generally applies to the unit, whereas enlistment, discharge, etc. refer to individuals. As an example, one of my ancestors was discharged for disability in 1862 but was carried on the muster rolls of the unit until the entire unit was "mustered out" in 1865. Units had "musters" for many reasons from their organization to their disbandment. On the individual who was mustered out after only six weeks, also check on his age. Many young fellows got sent home when Mom or Dad finally caught up with them. Disability for injury and illness are also good possibilities. But also the unit may have been disbanded and all the men assigned to other units. Good Hunting Marianne Victory Purdy Check my genes at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mariannevictorypurdy/ Fifty years from now it will not matter; what kind of car you drove, the house you lived in, how much money you had or what your clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because you were good to a child. Anonymous

Helen, FYI - Merriam-Webster [at http:www.m-w.com] shows "muster" can be both a verb and a noun, with both meaning collecting or assembling, and usually used as "muster in" or " muster into". "muster out" has a separate definition, and should refer to a discharge. No specific type is mentioned. Mark Bennett Lisle, IL > -----Original Message----- > From: HZMagida@aol.com [mailto:HZMagida@aol.com] > Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 12:20 PM > To: NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [NY-Mil] Significance of "mustered out" and "desertion" > > > In reading data from ancestry.com civil war database - the term "muster" > seems to be used in different ways - it suggests a transfer or transition > between military units or a type of discharge. > > One possible relative was "mustered out" about six weeks after enlistment - > before his unit was sent on any military missions. Can anyone comment on > what that means? Voluntary discharge? medically unfit? > > > --Helen Magida > Baltimore, MD >