National Archives Research
A few months ago I wrote my first South Amboy Historical Society Blog entry regarding member benefits. While this is not quite a continuation, I do owe a special thank you to a fellow society member name Joe Coakley. When I attended the May 2015 open house, Joe was kind enough to speak to me regarding a number of genealogical issues including researching the Christ Church Cemetery and the War of the Rebellion (The Civil War).
Previously, I had information confirming my 2nd Great Grand Father was a soldier in the Civil War and suspected his brother was also a soldier due to an obituary in the South Amboy Citizen (9/3/1921 edition). The information I had on my 2nd Great Grand Father was shipped to me on a DVD disc from the National Archives. Forms to order Civil War Pension and Service records can be found at the National Archives Web Site: http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html
While speaking to Joe, I mentioned how little information was really provided (about 6 to 8 pages for the pension records as well as the service records). While the information helped a little, it didn't provide a lot of information beyond what I already knew. Joe stated I should visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and pull the files myself as it is possible that the people that created the disc didn't copy everything.
I took Joe's advice and made a trip down to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Archives. By the time I made it there, I had a little more information on my 2nd Great Grand Uncle and was able to pull files on both ancestors. Much to my surprise, I found over 100 pages in one file alone; which provided a wealth of information. I learned the following:
My 2nd Great Grand Mother died in 1863 a little over a year after her only child was born.
My 2nd Great Grand Uncle had an alias during the War because he had previously been captured by the confederates as a Union Spy three times. He enlisted in the Union Army afterward under the alias for fear of being captured and executed. While serving in the Union Army, he was severely wounded; which impacted him the rest of his life.
A 2nd Great Grand Uncle was revealed that I never knew existed.
My Great Grand Father was parentless by the age of 2 and was considered a cripple.
For those that have relatives in the Civil War and can make it to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., I say make the trip at it should be well worth the effort. More importantly, come join the Historical Society of South Amboy and take advantage of the wealth of information it and its members provide.
