Looking for Naturalization Proof - Civil War Era?

Christopher Cratin [?], Patrick McInerney, John West
Mathew Lecheue, Isaiah Molesdale

Civil War Records with Hidden Treasures

Surely the seasoned researcher has located ancestors’ naturalization records and references in WWI and WWII military files. The a3Genealogy blog has several posts that may give you hints to these searches. Visit the Immigration/Naturalization tab. Here are two war references that may lead the researcher to modern war naturalizations: Not Just Military Files; Ancestor Citizenship and the Law, Part I. But, when it comes to verifying your Civil War era ancestor who was naturalized during the turmoil, especially in border states, you may wish to check Provost Marshal Records.

Substitute for Destroyed Court Records

For those not familiar with Provost Marshal Records held at the Regional NARA offices, this collection is a treasure trove filled with original documents and correspondences. Most of all, these original records are a great substitute for those county and state court records that were destroyed by war and fire during the Civil War. One would not expect for war records to give dates of naturalization (first or final) papers, but actually naturalization records and dates of effect were of great interest to the Provost Marshal for the meeting county quotas.

What to Expect

Expect the name, date of Final Paper (Naturalization) and county to be included in the correspondence. As quoted, Special Orders No. 10, Dept. of War the names and residences of persons “who have taken out their final papers of citizenship” were requested.* This data was retrieved from records of the Circuit Courts or relevant courts of the county.

Special Order 10

Tips to Research

The Provost Marshal General’s Records, Record Group-RG 110, have not yet been thoroughly indexed, but are archived by counties, districts, and sub-districts. An example of the collection may look like this (as found in the National Archives - Kansas City):

RG 110 Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War)

Creator: War Department. Provost Marshal General's Bureau. Office of the Acting Assistant Provost Marshal for Missouri. 2nd District. (This would include south St. Louis city and counties south of that.)

Series title: Letters Received, 1863-1865

National Archives ID: 2767320 (http://research,archives.gov/description/2767320)

Record Type: Tri-folded loose sheets

Researchers will find this collection chocked full of information on the politics, social history and community while fishing through the letters, status reports, wartime requests, etc. But, it’s worth your time. Not only is there a strong possibility for you to find your ancestor’s First or Final Naturalization paper referenced complete with dates as registered in the court, but you may also uncover information on your struggling family, community epidemics, deaths of family members, etc.

One affidavit, literally listed the status and service of every man in Union Missouri, Franklin County. The purpose of was to prove that Union, Missouri furnished more than two thirds of all of its able-bodied men to serve in the U. S. government. The list included the white and “colored” men who served. It also listed the men that had yet to serve, but were subject to military duty.  

*Original Special Order has not yet been located, but referenced in the photo as provided. NARA-KC, June 2014.

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy.com

Accurate, accessible answers

Englishmen Exempted from Civil War?

NARA-KC, RG 110 Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War)

Consul, Please Verify I’m Not an American!

U S. citizen, single men between the ages of 20 and 45 and married men up to the age of 35 were registered for the draft. This included the immigrants who had quickly become American citizens and living in the northern states. All were subject to the 3 March 1863 Civil War Military Draft Act or Enrollment Act. Over 23%, about 516 thousand of the Union soldiers were immigrants: 170 thousand from Ireland, about 50 thousand from England, Scotland and Wales, but only about 10 thousand Englishmen served in the Civil War.

   

Englishmen in the Civil War

NARA-KC, RG 110 Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War)

Military researchers and family genealogists are often seeking answers to why their perfectly aged, healthy ancestor did not serve in the  Civil War. It can be baffling.  But, was your ancestor able to prove his loyalty to his home country as did Robert M. Booth of Jefferson City, Mo?

Most Englishmen did not classify themselves as immigrants, but as temporary workers in the U.S. on behalf of British companies. Many Englishmen did not become American Citizens during war time, and they expected to be exempt from the draft.

Consulate Correspondence

Robert M. Booth was a person claiming to be a British Subject, and the British Consulate of Chicago confirmed his citizenship by writing to the Provost Marshal General of Missouri. In Missouri, the British Consulate had quickly strengthened their St. Louis office to protect their subjects and their property. Booth was “exempt from military duty in the United States” and was issued a Certificate of British Nationality.

But, Certificates Not Always Enough to Exempt

NARA-KC, RG 110 Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War)

It was common for men of foreign birth to avoid conscription by not completing the citizenship process or by claiming their alienage. But, across the nation, from Georgia and Kentucky to New York, certificates of nationality were ignored or trashed by enrollment officers, sometimes resulting in arrests. Twenty-six hundred protection papers were issued from the British Consul of Philadelphia  before the Enrollment Act. Yet, many draft enrollment officers ignored these certificates since long-term residents (citizens or not) had “enjoyed the benefits of living in the U.S. [and] should not be exempt.”  Whereas in Philadelphia most protection certificates were ignored, in Missouri they were often honored.

For More Information

Visit Regional National Archives, RG 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War)

The British Foreign Service and the American Civil War, Eugene H. Berwanger

Civil War Conscription Laws, Library of Congress

Kathleen Brandt

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Accurate, accessible answers

Exempted from Civil War as a Contractor?

Example of Office of Commissary of Exemptions, Mo
Missouri Digital

5 Places to Research in Missouri

Right age, good health, no substitute or logical reason! Why was your ancestor exempted from the Civil War? As genealogy researchers we find, in some cases, our ancestors’ disappearance from Civil War records to be baffling. But maybe we haven’t unearthed all the records.  Have you reviewed the Office of Commissary of Exemptions records?

Office of Commissary of Exemptions

In Missouri Commissaries of Exemptions were appointed for each county for Enrolled Missouri Militia
(E. M. M.). A large number of men were exempted from serving in the E.M. M. and the Enrolled Military (E.M.) due to contractor service. 

Correspondence: Provost Marshall, RG 110, NARA-KC

In 1864, the Secretary of the Navy sent a request to the Secretary of War that contractors building the “Monitors ‘Etlah & Shiloh’ be exempted from being mustered into service” until the “sister” gunboats were completed. Union Provost Marshal General, James B. Fry, responded to the Secretary of Navy. “The Secretary of War did not deem it expedient to grant this request.”  Yet, the workers were exempted, from 1864 to the end of the Civil War.

Exempted for U. S. S. Shiloh and U. S. S. Etlah  Construction

The U. S. S. Etlah: Navsource Online

Etlah and Shiloh construction workers, like John Carroll of St. Louis, was exempted from Mo. Militia Service by the Office of Commissary of Exemptions. Alex G. Hequembdurg of St Louis was also exempted as were many others. Many records are held in the Missouri Union Provost Marshal Papers: 1861-1866, but researchers must be patient in uncovering their ancestor’s documents, as not all have been indexed/cataloged.

Background Information

The U.S.S. Shiloh and U.S.S. Etlah were “sister ships. Construction of these “iron-clads” began in 1863, but were not completed until the end of the War. Neither saw action. For more information visit the St. Louis’ Ships of Iron, Missouri Civil War Museum at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

Know that the Etlah was renamed Hecate in 1869 for a short period, before returning to its original Native American name of Etlah (“white lily”). And Shiloh was renamed Iris in 1869.

5 Places to Research Your Mo. Exempted Ancestor?

1. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865, NARA, RG 45, www.fold3.com/
2. List of Officers of the Navy of the U. S. and the Marine Corps from 1775 – 1900
3. NARA – KC, Missouri Record of the Provost Marshall General’s Bureau (Civil War), Letters, 1863-1865, RG110
4. Missouri Historical Society Archives, St. Louis, Mo. Visit the Guide to Civil War Manuscripts.
5. Midwest Genealogy Center, Missouri Military, Civil War, Commissaries of Exemptions, E. M. (microform)

Kathleen Brandt

a3genealogy.com

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Saline County Mo., Colored Marriage Book 1865-1870

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Colored Marriages of Saline County, MO, 1865-1870
Three hundred and forty-one African-American couples registered their marriages with the Saline County, MO. courthouse between 1865 and 1870. The Colored Marriages of Saline County, 1865 - 1870 is indexed by both groom and bride, and holds a complete copy of the original 111 page Court Recorder Colored Marriage Record book. The marriage records include the names of enslaved children born of each union. It also provides the researcher with names of black settlements, names of active church leaders that performed the marriages, and twenty historical black cemeteries of Saline County, MO.  

 Get your copy now!  

Colored Marriages 1865-1870

Book $13.50 USD

Colored Marriages 1865-1870

E-book $5.00 USD

Be sure to follow the Colored Marriages of Saline County, MO., 1865 - 1870 website (blog) for more tips, hints and data.

Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy.com
a3genealogy@gmail.com

5 Research Tips to Missouri Bohemian Resources

Map of Bohemia / Czech Republic, Geographicus

Bohemian Settlements

Few researchers learn of their Bohemian ancestors’ colorful history.  Actually our informal poll revealed that most researchers did not know Bohemia was part of the Austrian Hungarian Empire that could boast of its independent “kingdom” from the 1400’s to the end of WWI.  Even fewer noted knowledge of Missouri Bohemians colonies outside the popular south St. Louis settlements. But, Bohemian settlements scattered across America as far south as Louisiana to New York City.  Czech-Bohemian settlements populated midwest towns from Kansas and Minnesota to the Dakotas. And, there were colonies in Texas, Cleveland and Iowa. But the Missouri settlements are usually only mentioned in St.Louis; yet, there were Bohemian settlements that lined the Missouri River Valley. Even the Cuivre River Valley in Mo. had a small Bohemian settlement as early as 1840 (reference Lincoln County, Hawk Point, Mo. and historical Mashek, Mo.).

Bohemians were generally noted as those who originated from western Czechoslovakia. Bohemian Jews, from southern Bohemia began populating Missouri as early as 1816 (first noted in St. Louis). Czech Bohemians originating from the Austrian Empire began migrating to Missouri about 1847 speaking Czech and German. Whereas, many settled in south St. Louis, others settled in the following Missouri townships: 

• Bolivar and Karlin
• Cainsville
• Fenton
• High Rdge
• Kansas City
• Mashek
• Rock Creek
• St. Charles
• St. Joseph 

Where to Research

Civil War Provost Marshal Record

Census records may give you a hint on your Bohemian ancestor’s origin, but their birthplace may be noted as Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Austro-Hungary, or Germany. But, by corroborating census records with a few other useful documents, you may find answers to your Bohemian family research questions.

Provost Marshal Correspondence on Bohemians
Form RG110, NARA - KC, Civil War

1. Civil War Records. Missouri Provost Marshal records found at the Kansas City - NARA, gives us tips/hints to the residences and social life of the Bohemians in Mo. (See RG110).  In Missouri more than 60 Bohemians served with the 2^nd Regiment, US Reserve Corps, Mo. Volunteers; and 80 Bohemians served in the 4^th Regiment Infantry, Missouri Volunteers.
2. Naturalization Records. There are 1143 indexed naturalization cards/records on the Missouri Digital Heritage site noting birth place as Bohemia. It is also possible however, that your ancestor recorded his place of origin as Czechoslovakia. 
3. Passenger List. Be sure to review the Czech Immigration Passenger lists, Vol. I – IX compiled by Leo Baca. We have found that many of the early Missouri Bohemians came through New Orleans from Bremen Germany, but this passenger list compilation includes most of the popular ports.
4. Cemetery. When researching your Bohemian ancestor, don’t forget to check the local Jewish cemetery. In St. Louis begin your cemetery research with the New Mount Sinai Cemetery. Although many Bohemians were Jewish, others were practicing Catholics or FreeThinkers.  For ancestors of Jefferson County, MO, review the Cemeteries in Jefferson County, MO. Czech-Slavonic Benevolent Association: C.S.P.S. (Bohemian) Cemetery 
5. Orphanage. Be sure to learn about the Hessoun Bohemian Catholic orphanage in Fenton, St Louis County, MO., 1908-1954. Bohemians and other Czech Slovak orphans from across America were admitted into the St. John Nepomuk Church orphanage. 

For More Information

• Cesko-Slovansky Podporujici Spolek, or C.S.P.S. (Czech-Slavonic Benevolent Association)
• Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville 
• St. Louis Genealogical Society 
• Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International 
• National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library 

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy.com

a3Genealogy@gmail.com 

7 Research Resources for U. S. Occupation in Latin America, 1915-1933

A U.S. Marine inspecting a troop of Haitian soldiers, 1920.

Soldiers Serving in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua

Rarely do researchers dig through the National Archives to uncover veteran ancestors and learn of their experiences in occupied Latin American countries during and shortly after WWI.  Yet, our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps veterans occupied the Dominican Republic (1916-1924), Nicaragua (1926-1933), and Haiti (1915-1934). These stories have been overshadowed by the larger wars and conflicts. 

Background

Fold3.com, Medal of Honor Recipients

To provide the complex history and politics that play the strategic role of occupying these counties would be impossible here. However we recommend the researcher to have at least a cursory understanding of the politics which help lead to a successful research project. Topics from the beginning of President Woodrow Wilson’s term to the 1934 term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt should be reviewed.

Where to Research?

1)      Fold3. A search on Fold3.com may solidify your ancestors’ Latin American service.  A quick search revealed the service of U. S. Marine Corps, First Lt Earnest Calvin Williams.

2)      NARA, Record Group 80. Secret and Confidential Correspondence of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Office of the Secretary of the Navy,1919-1927. For the publication of the 117 rolls of microfilm visit .

3)      NARA, Textural Records, RG 127.8.  For Records of the US Marines in Haiti and Nicaragua and Records of Expeditionary Forces and Detachments, review the RG 127. 

Served in Haiti, 1914

4)      NARA, Maps and Cartographic Records. RG 127. Maps are a key tool when researching our military ancestors. Record Group 127.10 has an extensive collection of maps and plans of Haiti, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua and of the U. S. installations in these counties. 

5)      NARA, Department of State, Central Decimal Files, RG 59, General Records of the Dept. of State to include organizational unites, special subjects and events. Individuals are also periodically named. Central Decimal Files are located at Archives II. 

6)      Navy Dept. Listing. For a listing of Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua military Marine vessels visit the List of Expeditions, 1901-1929. 

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy.com

Accurate, accessible answers

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!  The Colored Marriages of Saline County, MO, 1865-1870 Colored Marriages 1865-1870 Book $13.50 USD Saline County

E-book $5.00 USD Book $12.95 USD

Learn More About the Slave Marriage Book Project

Kathleen Brandt, the founder of a3Genealogy, Kansas City, Mo,- was researching in Saline County, MO when she eyed a registry: Colored Marriages of Saline County, 1865-1870. One of the first rights granted to freed-slaves was to legalize their slave marriages. Information from these records will link the African American researcher to slave ancestors. It will also further descendants of Slave Masters to reference one more resource in their research.  

A Kickstarter.com project: Slave Marriage Book was immediately launched to digitize, index and transcribe each page of the book, and the many entries of the legalized slave marriages and children born to the union during slavery.

For additional information visit:

Kickstarter Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/624106288/slave-marriage-book?ref=live

Hidden Historical Records - A Valentine Find (Cupid and the Slave Marriages)

http://a3genealogy.blogspot.com/2013/02/hidden-historical-records.html

         

For interview contact:
Kathleen Brandt
816-729-5995

a3genealogy@gmail.com

(Original post 2/1/4/13, Entitled: Press Release)