Introduction to Civil War Research teaches family historians how to trace ancestors who fought in the war and learn about their military service. More than 2.4 million men fought in the conflict. Half a million were immigrants from Canada, Europe, and Mexico. More than 178,000 Union soldiers were African American. The course reviews the primary Civil War depositories, including the Library of Congress, the US Army Heritage and Education Center, and the National Archives. It will help you track down the side an ancestor fought on, where he lived, his rank, and battles he may have fought in.
In Introduction to Civil War Research, you are introduced to numerous records created for the war, both during and after the war. You will learn strategies to identify and locate information about an ancestor who served and then research records for his Civil War service and service unit. You will learn how to locate and understand the Compiled Military Service Record and Union and Confederate military and prison records. You will also research post-war records, including pension index and application files, death and burial records, and participation in fraternal and lineage societies.
The course is divided into seven modules, which include readings, web links, and self-correcting quizzes as well as a reading and reference list. A full syllabus is provided to course registrants. The course modules are as follows.
Craig Roberts Scott, CG, FUGA, is a nationally recognized lecturer, educator, and genealogical and historical researcher with more than thirty years’ experience. He specializes in the diverse military records at the National Archives.
Since the online courses under the Continuing Genealogical Studies category are cloud-based, you can take the course from home or anywhere at any time. You need either a computer or tablet with an internet connection to access the lessons, examples, exercises, and quizzes. No software or material is loaded onto your computer or tablet.
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NGS grants a license to an individual to take the course shown above. This grants the individual a personal, nonexclusive, nontransferable right to the course materials for that student’s personal educational use only. All students work independently.
The Continuing Genealogical Studies series courses have no set time or date for attendance. These online courses are geared toward individuals who have schedules that are varied and may include work, volunteer, and personal demands. You prioritize your time management and your learning, so your course work can be scheduled at your own pace.
Upon registration, you have access to the course for six months from the date of registration. If you need extra time, a one-time extension of three months is granted by contacting the NGS Course Administrator.
Within three business days, you receive two separate emails, one that confirms your registration and one that provides log in instructions.
All purchases of courses are final. No refunds or credits are available.
