Military records might not be the first place you look in genealogy research, but sooner or later, they become important. These records hold details you may not find anywhere else.
In this blog post, you’ll learn why military records matter, what they can reveal, and how to order them. Plus, I’ll share my experience navigating the process.
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed are my own. I am not compensated in any way, and readers should choose the option that is best for them.
When you want to obtain your ancestors’ military records, there are several ways to do it:
- Order through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
- Order through a business whose job it is to obtain records, like Gopher Records.
- Hire a researcher who lives near the repository to obtain the records for you.
My Experience
Years ago I ordered the Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR) of my 2x great-grandfather, John Dunahoo, through NARA. It was 100 pages and I thought I hit the jackpot. It came with an order form that at the time I didn’t understand (and didn’t bother to follow up on).
Recently, I ordered the CMSR of John’s brother, James Dunahoo, through Gopher Records. When my order came, I emailed them back to ask about that order form from years earlier. I was told there were many more pages to John’s file and that the order form was for anything over 100 pages. So, I reordered John’s CMSR through Gopher Records and I’m so happy I did! It contains 314 pages. Woohoo!
I’m not saying one is better than the other – that’s for you to decide. Each choice has its pros and cons. But I wanted to let you know you have options when it comes to researching your ancestor’s military service.
Why Military Records Matter
These genealogy records can uncover details about an ancestor’s service, personal background, and even physical appearance. Military records can fill in gaps in your family history. They may provide:
- Service details – enlistment and discharge dates, ranks, and unit information.
- Personal descriptions – age, height, eye color, and sometimes occupation.
- Family connections – pension records may list spouses, children, or other dependents. They may also provide birth, marriage, or death dates – a good substitute when those records didn’t exist or were lost.
- Battle participation – records may reveal engagements or injuries.
- Benefits information – pensions and land grants for service.
These records give context to your ancestor’s life beyond basic birth and death dates. Piecing together our ancestors’ lives includes this vital information.
In John’s CMSR I learned his wife’s complete name, testimonies about his capture, and how he spent his years in the Civil War. This is on top of every document he created to apply for an increase in pension and was turned down. Rejections create a lot of records. I’m thankful John was persistent!
Ordering from NARA
NARA is the official source for military records. They house CMSRs, pension files, and service records from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. There are many helpful guides on the NARA website. I suggest you take some time and look through them.
What You Can Order:
- CMSRs for soldiers up to the early 20th century.
- Pension files for veterans and their families.
- Official military personnel files for more recent service members (limited access).
- Look through the website to see a complete list.
How to Order:
- Visit archives.gov.
- Under the Research Our Records tab, choose one of many topics to start. I would suggest choosing New to Archival Research, Research Military Records, or if you know what you need, Order Copies of Records. Follow the prompts.
- Submit online or mail the request.
- Pay fees (varies by record type and length).
- Wait – processing can take months due to demand.
Pros of Ordering from NARA:
- Official source with complete records.
- Digital and physical copies available.
Cons of Ordering from NARA:
- Long wait times.
- Forms can be confusing.
- Fees can be more than hiring a business or researcher, especially for long files.
- No research assistance – you need to know what you’re looking for.
Ordering from Gopher Records
Gopher Records is a private business that retrieves military files from NARA and other sources. They streamline the process for researchers who don’t want to wait or navigate government paperwork.
What They Offer:
- CMSRs and pension files from NARA and more.
- Faster service than ordering directly.
- Assistance with finding hard-to-locate records.
- Easy communication through email. Any questions? They respond quickly.
How to Order:
- Visit GopherRecords.com.
- Search for available military records.
- Submit your order. You pay when they have found your records.
- Receive records in digital format (often within weeks) or on a thumb drive for an additional fee.
Pros of Ordering from Gopher Records:
- Faster processing.
- No government forms.
- Customer service for guidance.
- Can be cheaper than ordering through NARA.
Cons of Ordering from Gopher Records:
- Limited to records they can access.
- Not an official government archive.
- Digital copies only, no paper copies. (For most, this isn’t a con).
Even though I do not have experience with the following there are other companies that retrieve records from NARA:
Brian Rhinehart – Civil War Records
Jonathan Webb Deiss – Reclaim The Records
Geoff Gentilini – Golden Arrow Research
Which Option Is Best?
It depends on your needs. If you’re patient or need paper copies ordering from NARA may be the way to go. If you need records quickly, Gopher Records (or the like) is a good alternative.
I will also add this: the copies from NARA were in black and white, while Gopher Records gave me color copies. Those colored markings can be important clues in genealogy research.
Also, I got more for less with Gopher Records. NARA’s current price for a full pension file is $80, plus $.70 for all pages after the first 100. John’s file would have been $229.80. Gopher Records let me know that some of what I asked for was online and the rest cost $59.40. For me, it’s a no-brainer.
Finally
No matter which route you take, military records are valuable genealogy tools. Whether you order from NARA or a business like Gopher Records, these documents can provide information that helps you understand this part of your ancestor’s life.
If you’d like to learn more about researching in military records, check out my blog posts:
How To Find Military Service Clues In Genealogy Research
One Of The Best Military Records In Genealogy Research
Genealogy tip: I make ordering genealogy records a part of my budget. I know I will be ordering vital records, military records, etc. at some point in my research, so I plan for it. You can do the same!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your genealogy research beyond census and vital records but need some help, give me a call. I’d love to go on this journey with you. It all starts by clicking below for a 30-minute, no-obligation consultation.
