Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain military records?

The National Archives in Washington, D.C. has military records for the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, War of 1812, and the Civil War. You can request the records online or by mail. They have available Pension Records, Military Records, and Bounty Warrants. Keep in mind when requesting records that you are not guaranteed that the person's records you order will be the same person you are seeking. The more information you can provide them for their search, the better your chances are for a perfect match. Be sure to read the forms carefully and follow the instructions. See Requesting copies of Older Military Service Records

Older military personnel records (generally prior to WWI) are on file at the National Archives and Records Administration, Old Military and Civil Records Branch (NWCTB), Washington, DC 20408.

• Service Records: Order online or use the appropriate NATF Form.
• Pension claim files for service from the American Revolution to pre-World War I and Bounty-land warrant applications for Federal military service before 1856: Order online or use the appropriate NATF Form.

Contact the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives to request an order form for military records filed with the state for Kentuckians who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Visit their website for information on other records they have available and how to obtain copies.

How can I obtain a military headstone for a grave?

The Veteran's Administration requires documents showing active Federal service to establish eligibility for Veterans of the Revolutionary War, Indian Wars, War of 1812, and the Mexican War. The VA will only furnish a headstone or marker for eligible individuals who performed actual national (Federal) service. Members of a state militia are only eligible if their service was Federalized (i.e., called to "active service.") Militia members or patriots with no Federal service are not eligible to receive a Government furnished headstone or marker.

See the National Cemetery Administration webpage Historic Headstones and Markers (prior to World War I) for more information.

How can I get a link to my website added to your pages?

Glad you asked! Just email us at the "Contact Us" link above and give us your web address. We will visit your site and post a link on the appropriate page. If you move your site, don't forget to let us know. A courtesy link back to us at Kentucky in the Military is always nice!

If you find a military site that you think other Kentucky Researchers would enjoy, please drop us a line.

I don't see my relative listed on your pages; do you have any information on him?

The KYGenWeb Military Project does not research individuals. The primary purpose of this website is to provide you with links to websites we have found or that have been reported to us that may contain information about your Kentucky ancestors who served in the military. However, we also may post data here that previously appeared on the web but is no longer readily available. That data may contain information concerning individuals and can be accessed using the "Search" function for the site.

I can't find information about the regiment my relative was in on your pages, could you tell me something about his troop?

The primary purpose of this website is to serve as a 'reference' book for information that can be found on the Internet. We post links to all the sites and information we are able to find. We also encourage all visitors to report their favorite links back to us for posting so others can enjoy them also.

We have found this site to be very helpful in locating the history of particular Civil War troops: The Civil War Archives

Where I can find more information on the Internet about the War of 1812, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War?

We post all the links we find that contain information about Kentucky's participation in the wars preceding WWI. We have also included a brief history of Kentucky's participation in each war. The history page may include links to more general information about that particular war.