Hello, I have not researched military records before and was hoping someone on this list may be able to tell me if it is worth pursuing with regard to a particular individual I am looking for. One of my ancestors, an Isaac Watts GRANT, I have no information on his parents. I know when he died, I know his wife and children so I am not sure what additional genealogical information may be available in any pension files? What I do know, is the following entry from the book, "Three Centuries of Freeport, Maine", where it talks about the war of 1812. It lists solders from Freeport who joined the war and states, "Captain E Brewer's Company, Under Lieutenant-Colonel J.E. Foxcroft's Regiment, From September 10 to 24, 1814, Raised at Freeport Service at Portland" And goes on to list my ancestor as a private "Watts Grant" (note: sometimes he listed his name as 'Watts Grant' other times "Isaac Watts Grant' on census and marriage records). Then on Ancestry.com in their war of 1812 service record index: Name: WATTS GRANT Company: FOXCROFT'S REG'T MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA. Rank - Induction: PRIVATE Rank - Discharge: PRIVATE Roll Box: 84 Roll Exct: 602 Which I am going to assume refers to the same person. There is also two entries for a "Watts Grant" under "COL. MCCOBB'S REG'T U.S. VOLUNTEERS.". While 'GRANT' certainly is a common name, I don't believe 'Watts' is common for a first name. Is it possible he also was with McCobb? What my major question is, is I do not know what I may find if I order copies of any records from the National Archives. I only have an estimate of a year of birth for him now (1795), and no parents. He would have been just about 18/19 when he joined and I would assume that when one joined the army there was an entry for "next of kin" or some name to notify in case the solider is killed? And I would assume it would probably be a relative, a parent since he was not married yet? I know getting the record is the only way to find out. But I was wondering if anyone here has experience with finding this sort of information and is there one type of record I should request v. a different type? Any suggestions?? I've done allot of genealogy research, just never tapped into military records yet... thanks, -Kevin King