Ancestry.com Launches Largest US Military Records Collection Available Online

The following announcement was written by The Generations Network, parent company of Ancestry.com:

Ancestry.com is announcing it has launched the largest collection of U.S. military records available and searchable online, featuring more than 90 million names that span more than four centuries of American history from the 1600s through Vietnam.

This U.S. Military Collection includes exclusive record sets such as the only complete collection of WWI draft registration cards and commemorative military yearbooks and newspapers. Combined, the records bring to life the stories and sacrifices of the millions of brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Inside the U.S. Military Collection

Ancestry.com’s U.S. Military Collection captures all major wars and conflicts from American history, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts as well as the Spanish-American War and the War of 1812.

The eclectic volume of records features more than 700 databases and titles and  37 million images of original and often personally autographed documents including:

• World War I and World War II draft registration cards
• Prisoner of war records from the War of 1812, Civil War, World War II, and Korea
• Muster rolls (unit rosters) for the Marine Corps 1893-1958 and WWII U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Muster rolls, 1939-1949
• U.S. Military burial registers 1768-1921
• Service Records from Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War
• Civil War Pension Index
• Casualty listings from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam
• WWI and WWII Stars and Stripes Newspapers
• Young American Patriots Military Yearbooks (post WWII)

Rare historical media such as the United Newsreel Motion Pictures (1942 – 1945) are another highlight of the collection, making Ancestry.com the only online source for all 267 counter-propaganda films shown in U.S. theaters and abroad during WWII. Produced by the Office of War Information and financed by the U. S. government, the United Newsreels consisted of several short stories concerning allied military operations and were reportedly released in sixteen languages. Newsreels were also dropped behind enemy lines in a German language version and distributed in friendly and neutral countries.

Beginning now through June 6th (D-Day), Ancestry.com will make its entire U.S. Military Collection free to the public. For more information on Ancestry.com’s U.S. Military Collection, visit www.ancestry.com/military.

In order to see the new titles added to Ancestry for this military release, go to www.ancestry.com/military and view titles by war/conflict.

Comments

[Joni Martines]

I love ancestry.com , but when you go on their WW1 records and go to view the image, it never comes up. I'd like that record also. I do have a required membership for this, and I have been requesting that they give the view to the WW1 cards, but I still haven't gotten them. What do you suggest???

Joni Martines

[Suzanne]

Joni,

You may be looking at the index only WWI Draft Cards. There are two different databases on Ancestry.com, one that has the images and indexes and one that is only a partial index.

Here are the two:

WWI Civilian Draft Registrations (with about 1.2 million records from various states) compiled by Ray Banks. There are no images associated with this one.

http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3172

AND

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (with 38.3 million indexes and images of the actual cards). This was created from the NARA film.

http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=6482&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0

[Joni Martines]

Suzanne, No matter what I did to see these cards, they still did'nt come up. I can not get their image. I can get WW11 images on. When I press to go see the image, a sentence comes up and tells me to ( press the spacebar or Enter to activate and use this control ). I do that, but the screen then goes blank ( white ). Ancestry told me to do a whole lot of things, and nothings helped. I have a very up to date BIG membership and up to date PC. there should be no reason why I'm not getting these images.

[John German]

Is this going to continue to be a part of my current subscription?

Or is this going to become another example (along with the immigration records, newspapers, and Genealogy.com acquisitions) of Ancestry's lack of commitment to keeping its promise to continue to expand the content of its US records collection subscription which should have included all the above?

[Suzia]

Two comments:
1) Ancestry emailed members this evening apologizing for access delays caused by an unprecedented volume of traffic due to today's announcement of new military content. I'd guess that since these databases are being offered free to the public through June 6, regular member services might continue to be impacted.
2) My Ancestry subscription renewal notice last week included an offer to upgrade to World DeLuxe for $199. I now have 13 months of World DeLuxe for less than I paid for U.S. content alone last year. Perhaps the upcoming expanded, free FamilySearch.org, as well as the many new offerings available from other vendors, is causing Ancestry to rethink its subscription rates.

[Joni Martines]

I must let you all know that with more work on my part trying to find this image, I noticed there was an " OPTIONS " part to the image section that you could click on. I clicked on it and just started to change things around on my own. To my suprize, the image popped up. I can't believe it. I must also let you all know, that Ancestry has been working with me all day yesterday about this. I think they did'nt know it was as simple as that for me to get the image. I wrote them and left them know, incase someone else has the same problem. It's really a good web site, and I got tons of info on my ancestors if you watch what you are researching.

[Ruby Eberhardt]

I have not been able to get to Ancestry.com when I try to open it it keeps telling me "It is not on line and to check Back."
What good does the high sub I paid if I get on line less than half the time I try.

[Joni Martines]

Ruby,
Ancestry .com is experiencing a very high volume of customers this weekend. They are offering a free Military search till D-Day. A lot of people are having a hard time with it. Just keep trying. If there is anything you want, maybe I can help in the mean time.

[Toni]

The WW I registration cards are NOT complete. The Marion County, Florida cards jump from G to S .. I have written to Ancestry.com bringing this to their attention and never heard of them. This is their usual response.
I might as well write and then delete.

[Peggy N]

what about the Spanish American War? Is that part of this collection?

[Mary C Kanta]

Dick,
Make a quick recovery. On the bright side, how fortunate this happened after you got home. You could have been on the
cruise. With the prompt attention you received, we hope you will be on the mend in no time. Just take care of yourself.
God's blessings to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Mary Kanta