Kinsearching September 13, 2009

RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2009



KINSEARCHING

by

Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
 

     For many people, one of the most fascinating aspects of American history has been and still is the bloody 1860s clash between the North and the South. As popular interest in the topic continues, so does the increase of data on the conflict. To help researchers keep abreast of the latest available resources, William Dollarhide has compiled GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES OF THE CIVIL WAR ERA: ONLINE AND PUBLISHED MILITARY OR CIVILIAN NAME LISTS, 1861-1869, AND POST-WAR VETERAN LISTS.

     Dollarhide's introduction provides an overview of the Civil War era. In his discussion, he supplies information regarding the Mason-Dixon line, jurisdictions of the Confederate states, and expansion of Union states during the years 1861-1864. Then he proceeds with the main contents, which are divided into three sections.

     In the first section, he places genealogical resources into twenty categories under two main headings: nationwide and statewide. Nationwide sources encompass some of the most well-known resources. Among them are the online database, Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System, and the set of THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES AND NAVIES (commonly referred to as the "OR"), which is available in print or online. An example of a lesser known record is the 1865-1867 Confederate Amnesty Papers.

     Statewide sources also range from familiar to unconventional materials. Examples are the Index to Compiled Service Records, Union & Confederate Soldiers from State Units, and the 1862-1869 Internal Revenue Assessments. Because Civil War veterans may have migrated to areas not involved in the war, Dollarhide includes materials like the 1890 - 1910 Territory Lists for Alaska and Hawaii. Sources may be online or in printed form.

     The next section is an annotated bibliography of statewide name lists for the years 1861-1869 and post-war veteran lists. Arranged under state or territory, the resources are then grouped by online and published versions. For some states or territories, Dollarhide gives brief facts, such as Arizona being the only territory officially added to the Confederate States (though it was soon occupied by Union forces) and members of all five of the "civilized" tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) owned slaves and supported the Confederacy.

     Perhaps the most interesting section is the last, which deals with the best Civil War resource centers for local and county research. Some may be identical to statewide sources while others are not. Among those listed are various categories found at www.Linkpendium.com; the Historical Research Center, Texas Heritage Museum, Hill College in Hillsboro, TX; and places under the auspices of the National Park Service, like Cane River Creole National Historical Park in Louisiana; Fort Davis National Historic Site and the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas; and Fort Union National Monument and Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico.

     Since it was written as a guide to various Civil War materials that furnish lists of names of servicemen and civilians (who were also affected by the fighting and its aftermath), Dollarhide's publication contains facts about records produced during and immediately after the war. In addition, his volume encompasses information generated years later that concerned veterans and their families. Due to the inclusion of recent online resources, GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES OF THE CIVIL WAR ERA: ONLINE AND PUBLISHED MILITARY OR CIVILIAN NAME LISTS, 1861-1869, AND POST-WAR VETERAN LISTS is the most up-to-date reference work on the subject. The 191-page paperback has a colorful and interesting front cover. It also has a foreword by Leland K. Meitzler, a map, tables, photographs, and facsimile illustrations that complement the resources under discussion. To the book's price of $32.95, buyers should add handling charges of $4.90 for one book and $2.50 for each additional copy. The reference work may be purchased from Family Roots Publishing Company, P. O. Box 830, Bountiful, Utah 84011-0830 (phone 801-992-3705; fax 815-642-0103; website www.FamilyRootsPublishing.com; e-mail: [email protected]).


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