Finding Military Records for Minnesota - Part I: Official Records

To determine if your ancestor took part, the first step is to match the timeline of the conflict with the ancestor, then look for the finding aids and sources. Here are a few of the official finding aids and sources:

Military service was held in high esteem, with veterans eligible for special benefits. Some official records will be found at the Federal level, and others will be found at the local/state level. Be sure to check both the National Archives and the state archives where your ancestors enlisted for official military records.

For example, the State of Minnesota recruited and fielded troops in the Civil, Spanish/American and Mexican Wars. It also had its own naval militia (see the Minnesota Genealogical Journal: 26 for information on this.) The name of the regiment will usually indicate who raised the troops. The 10th U.S. Regiment, for example, served for a time at Fort Ridgely in Minnesota, but were regular Army troops; the 1st Minnesota was raised in Minnesota, and performed admirably at Gettysburg. Since both groups saw federal service, the National Archives will hold some records about that service. However, additional records about the 1st Minnesota can be found in the Minnesota State Archives as well, along with records about militia units which did not see any federal service.

General history resources can provide clues. Land give-aways for military service helped support the move west - Minnesota was on the edge of the Western Reserve, land originally owned by Connecticut and awarded to her Revolutionary War veterans. If your family stopped in the area included by the Western Reserve, you will want to check those lists and other military bounty land lists.

The Federal Government published lists of its pensioners, beginning with Revolutionary War veterans. The 1883 Pensioners on the Roll listings show where the pensioner was living in that year. Many soldiers had moved west. The listing for Minnesota includes soldiers who fought in regiments raised in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and other points to the east: many soldiers from Minnesota regiments moved on to points west - Washington, Oregon and California. Some pensions were even sent out of the country, when the widow or dependent parent lived in Germany or England, etc. They provide a clue to the homeland.

The Minnesota Adjutant General records (at the Minnesota Historical Society) include some draft and enlistment papers for Minnesota regiments, Minnesota pension and/or bonus records, and other information concerning Minnesota regiments for the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, as well as the various militias. Indexed rosters of those who served in Minnesota regiments for those two wars are in print, along with histories of the regiments.

There are official census records, too. The Minnesota State Census asked about military service: in 1865, whether the soldier was in actual service on 1 June 1865; in 1885, for service in the Federal army during the War of the Rebellion; in 1895, whether a soldier or sailor in the War of the Rebellion; and in 1905, whether a soldier or sailor in Civil or Spanish War. Only the 1875 asked no special question. See our research note on the state census for all the questions asked.

In addition to the Minnesota State Census, the 1890 Veterans Census schedule provides a wealth of information about veterans: name, rank, company, regiment/vessel, enlistment and discharge dates, length of service, post office address, whether disabled and remarks. This schedule has also been indexed for Minnesota.

Don't avoid military records because of their seeming complexity. Common sense and patience will reward your efforts! And be sure to look at our on-line catalog for the military information we carry.

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