This Veterans Day, honor the veterans in your family tree by learning more about them with Fold3 Library Edition.
Fold3 Library Edition provides convenient access to US military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. To use the database from home, log in with your library card number and PIN.
Although Ancestry.com owns Fold3, you should still search both Ancestry and Fold3 because you will often find different military records in each database. Plus, when you create a free Fold3 membership, you can create shareable memorials honoring your family members.
What You’ll Find on Fold3 Library Edition
Draft cards. These show that your relative registered for the draft. They are not proof of service, but they can provide valuable information.
Muster rolls. These are records of service and document service members’ location and units at a particular time.
Pension files. Pension records date from 1792 and include widow’s and soldier’s pensions. Not everyone qualified for a pension, so don’t be surprised if you don’t find one.
Unit histories. Documents such as Navy cruise books and war diaries can provide history about a particular unit, ship, or battle. They provide history and context for your relative’s service.
Native American records. Publications such as the Dawes Enrollment Cards, Eastern Cherokee Applications, the Guion Miller Roll, and others can help you locate your Native American ancestors.
Black history. Learn about African American military service and history, and locate your African American relatives in the Civil War Service Records of the United States Colored Troops and in other documents.
Fold3 Video Tutorials
Fold3: Remembering Veterans Through Military Records
Click on the image below to view a brief tutorial that will help you get started with Fold3 and learn browsing and searching basics.
The Fold3 Training Center
Once you’ve signed into Fold3 with your library card, click Help in the menu at the top to view tutorials on searching, browsing, creating memorials, and more.
Finding Your Military Veterans on Fold3
This free course from Ancestry Academy offers a more in-depth look at the information you can find in military documents. You’ll also learn the basics of searching and browsing in Fold3. Create a free Ancestry Academy account to start watching.