Ages and Birthplaces That Conflict
When enlistment rolls and later records disagree on a soldier's age or birthplace, this guide explains which clues carry more weight and how to record.
Section 02
Comparing Clues
Test one document against another before you accept a conclusion.
5 articles 3 sources
See also Section 01, Reading the Record 1 domain read in both drawers ; Section 03, Keeping the Trail 1 domain read in both drawers
Cards in this drawer
5 articles
Battle Links Do Not Prove Presence
A unit history listing a battle proves the regiment was there, not the man. Here is how to test soldier-level presence in the record.
Regiment Presence vs Personal Participation
A regimental history and a battle link describe the unit, not the man. Learn how to test whether a soldier was actually present and fit for duty.
Confederate Pensions: Start with the State
The National Archives does not hold Confederate pension files. Learn how to trace state-level eligibility and compare it with a compiled service record.
Service Record and Pension File: Two Orders
Why the compiled service record and the pension file are separate requests, and what each source can reveal that the other might not contain.
Sources consulted
3 sources · 1 domain
Primary references used in the research guides; each link identifies the relevant articles.
nps.gov
- /civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-research.htm read for CC-005, CC-003, CC-004, CC-002, CC-001
- /civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-overview.htm read for CC-005, CC-003, CC-004, CC-002, CC-001
- /civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-recordsorigin.htm read for CC-005, CC-003, CC-004, CC-002, CC-001
The other drawers
2 sections
- Reading the RecordUnderstand what each field on a muster roll or index card is actually telling you.4 articles
- Keeping the TrailLog your sources and your reasoning so the path stays inspectable.5 articles