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We are excited to announce a new database has been added to American Ancestors, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918! This database contains 25,581,987 records and names documenting men who registered for the draft during the years surrounding World War I. These records were originally created by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and shared with American Ancestors through FamilySearch.
This database contains images that have been indexed and shared through FamilySearch, and consists of 4,345 volumes of draft cards, organized first by state and then by county. This database also contains volumes dedicated to “Indians, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, Late Registrants” for several states, which appear at the end of the volume drop down menu.
The records are indexed by registrant’s first and last names; day, month and year of the registrant’s birth; the registrant’s birth place; and the county and state where the registration occurred. All registration dates are given as “from 1917 to 1918” and all record types are “Draft Registration.”
As described on the NARA website: “The Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917, authorized the President to temporarily increase the U.S. military. Under the authority of this act and later acts, the Office of the Provost Marshall General supervised the registrations of approximately 24,000,000 men for the World War I draft. Three registrations were held: the first, on June 5, 1917, for men aged 21 through 30; the second, on June 5, 1918, for men who had become 21 since June 5, 1917, supplemented by a registration held August 24, 1918, for men who had become 21 since June 2, 1918; and, the third, on September 12, 1918, for all men aged 18 through 45 who had not previously registered. The existence of a draft card does not necessarily denote military service. Registration is often confused with induction into the military; however, only a small percentage of those who registered were actually inducted into the military. The reverse is also true. All men who served in World War I did not necessarily register for the draft. Those who volunteered or those who were already in the military did not register.”
These records can provide valuable information about an individual’s residence and employment at the time of registration, birth date, citizenship, and information about a registrant’s nearest relations, making them a useful resource for family historians researching relatives who were living in the United States during World War I. Researchers interested in learning more about the records may consult NARA’s documentation and related frequently asked questions at NARA: Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
This collection is also searchable at FamilySearch.org: United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
This database was made possible with the help of our long-time volunteer, Sam Sturgis! We greatly appreciate all of his hard work on this project!
Please note: This database is available to all American Ancestors members, including Guest Members, at no cost. Consider membership.