Re: HELP! I need help finding which unit my grandfather served in.
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In reply to:
HELP! I need help finding which unit my grandfather served in.
Corissa Mann 4/29/02
The first thing you need to do is get some basic information.Go to your local library or courthouse and see if you can get a copy of his registration card, which all soldiers had to fill out.This may take a little whie, if the cards aren't alphabetized, but it will most likely be there.This card is like a notecard that tells his units, assignments, injuries, and some basic physical info. about him at the time.With his units name, you can find out where he served and if he recieved any decorations.Or, if you want to cut right to the chase, go to your county court house or city hall (in NC these are all in our county courthouse) and just tell them his name and that you want a copy of his discharge papers.I did this with my great-uncle, and got a copy of his honorable discharge.This tells much more detailed info. about his service, including his generals, his training camp, his engagements he fought in, and even what kind of personality he had!However, your areas discharge papers might look a little different, but it will almost assuradley give you a good deal of information about his time in ww1.Then, you can scroll through microfilms or whatever, and find articles in your newspaper from the time that tell things like what role his unit played int he war, and what ship he came back on.This is what I did, and I found out more info. than I could have imagined.You also might try looking for records about his hospital time by e-mailing the hospital if it is still in operation.Good luck!