Helen,
Here is a description for the WW I Draft Registration from Ancestry.com:
"In 1917 and 1918, the United States held three registrations for the WWI
draft. In the end, more than 24 million men born between 1873 and 1900 -
some 25 percent of the U.S. population - registered for the draft, although
not all were drafted. Handwritten by each individual, draft registration
cards include the individual's name, address, date and place of birth,
occupation, signature and more."
As it states, not all who registered were drafted. These records have been
an invaluable source for me in providing previously unknown birth dates.
One series of the cards also asked for place of birth. They give occupation,
employer, and location of employer. They provide next of kin, and sometimes
this has produced a previously unknown spouse. Their address is proof of
where they were living at the time. And finally, the physical description.
Since these records were handwritten by the individual registering I have
been able to correct family records regarding birth dates and places.
Hope this helps.
Kay
----- Original Message -----
From: <ci...@treadles.ca>
To: <LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:32 PM
Subject: [LegacyUG] Draft cards explanation please
I've downloaded draft cards from Ancestry because (1) they are an
additional piece of
information about an ancestor and (2) they add to the
background/personality of someone
who could otherwise be just BMD dates and have added them to the
collection of images for
that person but ignored them otherwise.
There are perhaps about 3-4 people in my 5000 plus database with these
draft cards and now
that I see the topic discussed, what is the point, purpose, meaning, etc.
of these draft
cards?
I think that it involved compulsory? military service but when, why and
how was the draft
card created? Are they found only for USA ancestors?
Helen in Canada
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