American war draft cards are a unique military record because they document men who never served in any war, but were required to register for the draft, per current law.

Have you located any draft records for your ancestors? What kind of details are included on the record and for which war did you find the information?

After the American Revolution, the wars for which researchers would be seeking military records would be the Civil War along with World War I and World War II.

Let’s start with the Civil War. No, there were no draft cards in the style of those created for the two World Wars. I also have to add that I’ve never seen any draft records for any of my husband’s Southern ancestors.

However, although not in card format, I have indeed found Civil War draft registration books created in northern states, specifically Maine and Illinois. Other northern states might also have used them.

Here is part of the page that has the Enrollment List of those eligible for military duty in Adams County, Illinois on 9 July 1864:

Williamson Mahon is the last man on this cropped list and look at the great information it gives me – Address, Name, Age, Occupation, Place of Birth and EXACT date of birth!!! Notice that the column for former military service has been crossed out to add the date of birth. Williamson, a Virginian, would not have had a birth record recorded by any governmental agency in 1820 in Virginia. He has been elusive to track and left few records. Notice, too, that there is a column for Remarks, but only one man, who was uncertain of his age, has any comments recorded.

The State of Maine used the same book, but the scribe kept the Former Military Service category and didn’t record exact dates of birth. Good thing I already had that tidbit about my 2X great grandfather, Charles Stewart, who lived in Meddybemps, Washington, Maine. He is entry #18:

Notice that the Maine book contains many more remarks, although none about my Charles Stewart and no date of any kind provided on the pages. The cover description just says 1862-1866.

If you have ancestors living in northern states during the Civil War, these Enrollment Lists are excellent resources to learn more about your ancestor. I have no reason to believe that Williamson Mahon saw any military service and I am certain that Charles Stewart didn’t serve in the war, either.

Now, let’s look at the actual draft cards used to record data on men eligible to be drafted during world wars.

World War I was a “short” war for America, compared to the European continent and other locations, as we didn’t enter the conflict until 1917 and the Armistice was agreed on 11 November 1918.

Of course, men could enlist at any time, but did you know that there were only three draft registration days held in the United States? They happened on 5 June 1917, exactly one year later on 5 June 1918 and the final registration occurred on 12 September 1918, only weeks away from the end of the war.

Furthermore, only men of specific ages were required to register on each date. On 5 June 1917, men aged 21-31 years of age had to register. On 5 June 1918, only men who attained the age of 21 years during the preceding year had to register. However, on 12 September 1918, the age range expanded greatly to include men between the ages of 18-45.

On 5 June 1917, my paternal grandfather, George Kucharik alias Sabo, was 24 years old and living in Garfield, Bergen, New Jersey.

Look at all the information I learned about him. Nana said they lived at 10 Cedar Street after they married in 1915. George’s draft card confirms that they still lived there on 5 June 1917. His exact date of birth, along with the place of birth (tiny Delano, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania) is noted, along with his occupation, place of employment and reason for claiming an exemption from military duty – supporting his wife. There is also a short physical description on the back of the card. He also signed the card.

World War II brought about a much longer period of involvement for the United States, reflected in the multiple draft registration dates:

16 July 1940 (men aged 21-35)
1 July 1941 (men who reached their 21st birthday that year
15 February 1942 (men aged 20-45)
27 April 1942 (men aged 45-65!!!)
30 June 1942 (men aged 18-20)
10-31 December 1942 (men aged 18)

My maternal grandfather was born 3 May 1899, so was aged 42 yeas in 1942. Here is his card:

From this, I’ve learned a few new details – I already was aware that the family lived at 630 Wyndemere Avenue in Ridgewood, Bergen, New Jersey, but now I know their telephone number! Ridgewood 6-2430 J. I also now know that Grandfather commuter to 60 Hudson Street in New York City to his Western Union office.

Draft registration books from northern Civil War states and WWI-WWII era draft registration cards can enrich the details of your ancestors’ lives. They are well worth searching out. One final hint – be sure to look at the next image after the front of the card. The back of the card should contain further details. here is the back of Vernon Adams’ card:

Grandfather was 5’7″ tall, weighed 177 lbs, had a light complexion and a slight scar on his left index finger. That’s pretty minute detail to include! I also have his registration date – 15 February 1942.

Be sure to search for draft registration records for your collateral relatives. You never know what you’ll learn.

Happy Hunting!