Research a Veteran’s Story
Discover an ancestor’s military service through military records, pension files, unit histories, and other historical sources.
Military service often leaves behind far more than a single enlistment record. Depending on the veteran and time period, surviving records may reveal where they served, the units they belonged to, battles and campaigns they experienced, injuries or illnesses, promotions, pension claims, and details about their family and life after service.
This service brings those records together to reconstruct and document your ancestor’s military story while placing their service within its historical context.
What This Service Can Help You Discover
Military records can reveal much more than when and where an ancestor served. By combining service records with pension files, unit histories, personal records, and historical sources, we can build a fuller picture of their military experience.
Document Their Military Service
Identify enlistment and discharge information, rank, unit assignments, promotions, transfers, injuries, and other details of an ancestor’s service.
Follow Their Wartime Experience
Research the units, battles, campaigns, locations, and historical events that shaped your ancestor’s time in the military.
Discover the Story Beyond Service
Explore pension files and related records that may reveal family relationships, medical information, personal statements, residences, and details about life before or after military service.
What’s Included in Your Family Mystery Research
Your project begins with a clearly defined family-history question. I research and analyze the available evidence to determine what can be established, what remains uncertain, and where additional research may lead.
Research
Military Service Records
Research of available enlistment, muster, discharge, casualty, draft, personnel, and other military records relevant to the veteran’s service.
Pension & Related Records
Searches for pension applications, service claims, dependent records, and other files that may contain military, medical, and family information.
Unit & Historical Research
Research into units, campaigns, battles, locations, and historical events connected to the veteran’s military experience.
What You Receive
Documented Service History
A reconstruction of the veteran’s military service based on the records and evidence located during the research.
Records & Source Citations
Copies or links to important records when available, along with source information documenting where the evidence was found.
Written Research Summary
A clear account of what was researched and discovered, including relevant historical context, supporting evidence, unresolved questions, and recommended next steps when appropriate.
How the Research Process Works
1
Tell Me About the Veteran
Complete the Military Research Intake with the veteran’s name, approximate dates, branch of service, unit information, family details, and any records or stories you already have.
2
I Review the Project
I review the information and your research goals to determine which military and genealogical records may be available, the appropriate scope of work, and project cost.
3
Research Begins
Once the project is approved, I research and analyze available military records, pension files, unit histories, and other relevant historical sources.
4
Receive Your Veteran’s Story
You receive documented findings, source information, relevant records, historical context, and a written account of what was discovered about your veteran’s military service.
See What You'll Receive
Before starting your project, you can view a sample family-history research report to see how findings, records, sources, evidence, and conclusions are presented.
Ready to Discover Your Veteran’s Story?
Tell me what you already know about your veteran and what you would like to discover. I’ll review the information and determine the best approach for researching and documenting their military service.