What Can I Find in the World War I Civilian Draft Registration Cards?
In 1917 and 1918, approximately 24 million men living in the United States
completed a registration card, representing 98% of men under the age of 46
and close to 25% of the total population.
Pres WILSON declared WAR on Germany on Apr 2, 1917, USA Troops set foot on European soil, arrived in
France by the fall of 1917. On July 15, 1918 the German army began the offensive known as the
"Second Battle of the Marne" in France.
A quarter of a million U.S. troops played a crucial part in beating off the
German assault at Chateau-Thierry, and by July 18, 1918 the last great German
drive of the War had been defeated.
By October 1918 the final Allied offensive had driven Germany to sue for peace,
and an armistice was declared in November 1918,
and the Peace Treaty of Versailles, Paris, concluded in Jun 1919.
The WWI draft registration cards contain a lot of information pertinent to
genealogical research. Information that may be found on these cards includes full
name, address, age, date of birth, race, citizenship, occupation, employers name,
location of employment, name and address of nearest relative, physical description,
and signature of registrant, among other things.
Use the information found in this database to fill in details about your ancestor's life.
Then, use the information as a springboard to lead you to other records.
For example, if the address of your ancestor is listed on the draft card, use that
information to find your ancestor in a city directory and then trace your ancestor
through that city's directories for as many years as you can.
The draft cards are also a good source for finding immigrant information
because all young men were required to register, regardless of U.S.
citizen status, and since 1880-1920 was a high immigration period,
a large portion of immigrant men registered and gave information of birth date,
birthplace, and in some cases their father's birthplace and nearest relative.
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