The years 2011 through 2015 mark the Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary of the great American Civil War. This historic event will generate a renewed interest in all things Civil War and now is a good time to research and learn about your Civil War ancestors. If any of your ancestors were living in America at the time of the Civil War, chances are very good that your great grandfather or great great-grandfather (you have eight of them) was one of the 3.5 million soldiers who fought for either the North or South. If this is the case, the good news is that there probably is a wealth of information about your Civil War Confederate or Union ancestor and his military unit waiting for you in some dusty archive. And, getting your own copy of these records is as easy as going online to the Web sites listed in this book. This book gives you the information needed for your own Confederate or Union Civil War genealogical research. Chapter 2 provides a "Quick Start" method using the Internet to get you started on your research with a minimum effort. Other chapters explain how and where (Web sites and addresses are provided) to get information about your ancestors from the National Archives, State Archives, the census records, the Internet, local libraries and many other sources. This book also provides background information on the Civil War and how military units were raised and organized.

• Offers latest information on sources and techniques, including online resources • Contains contact information for hundreds of sources • Provides examples of specific documents included in genealogical research It has been more than 40 years since the last comprehensive guide to tracing and researching Civil War ancestors was published. The Civil War Research Guide goes beyond, but does not exclude, such major national sources such as the National Archives in Washington, and features information on little-known publications, websites, auctions, memorabilia dealers, and patriotic organizations. The authors lay out a systematic procedure for performing research and recording the results in order to build a proper file on a Civil War soldier, making the experience both educational and entertaining.

The library has the records to which this user's guide refers. See: United States. War Department. The War of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies.

The innovative format of Exploring Civil War Wisconsin makes it easy for Civil War buffs, genealogists, and students to find and effectively use the vast array of historical materials about the Civil War found in archives, military and census records, published firsthand accounts, newspapers, and even on the Internet. This lively, illustrated guide focuses on Wisconsin in the Civil War, but is broadly applicable to Civil War research anywhere. Images of original documents and historic photographs illustrate every chapter, acquainting readers with both the Civil War and its sources. The easy-to-use and informative text is unlike anything else currently on the market. Throughout the book, boxed features and sidebars provide background information and tips on how to do research. Author Brett Barker explains how to uncover the history of an individual soldier, his regiment, and his role in the Union Army using rosters, military records, pension files, and memoirs. And, he shows how to explore the home front during the war using the census, newspapers, city directories, and government records.