Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group, United States Army Air Force (USAAF), attend a briefing at Ramitelli Airfield, Italy in March 1945.
The theme for Black History Month 2018 focuses on African-Americans who fought in the various branches of the military throughout the history of the United States of America. From this historical perspective, African-American participation extends from the arrival of the first enslaved Africans during the Colonial Era of the United States to the present day. In every war fought by or within the United States, African-Americans participated, including the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and both World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other minor conflicts.
Patrons seeking information on their African-American ancestors have a wide variety of records available in print and online sources. Our companion study guide, African-American Genealogical Research provides detailed accounts of historical information, websites, organizations and repositories, where researchers may access this information.
Military records have a proven record for research success. Once many African-American slaves escaped from the South, many joined the Union Army and fought in the Civil War. Their records are included on microfilm rolls for Union veterans. Documentation also proves that a small number of African-Americans fought for the Confederacy during the last days of the Civil War. The best source for Confederate records is the state archives for regiments in which they served.
Because many African-American Union soldiers were stationed in the South after the Civil War, Freedmen’s Bank records can be a valuable and unexpected source of information. The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, popularly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, was an agency of the United States Government that was formed to aid the freed slaves and white refugees as a result of the Civil War. These banks were the only financial institutions operating throughout most areas of the South after the Civil War. They handled accounts for all service men, black and white, as well as the freed slaves.
World War I Draft Registrations are another potential information source. Between 1917 and 1918, all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 were required to register for service in the military. These WW I Draft Registrations, as well as other military records, are valuable because they show the spelling of names, permanent address, employment information, birth date, citizenship data, and signature. Military records are available through a variety of sources such as:
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- Individual state libraries and archives
- Family History Library in Salt Lake City
- Internet websites such as the following:
a. Ancestry Library Edition (available free on the Lee County Library System home page from any branch in the system). No remote access from home.
b. Ancestry.com (subscription database) https://www.ancestry.com/
c. Christine’s Genealogy Website http://www.ccharity.com/
d. Fold 3: Specializes in military records (available free on the Lee County Library System
genealogy home page when using the Fort Myers Regional Library).
No remote access from home. https://www.fold3.com/ (subscription database link)
Compiled by Bryan L. Mulcahy, Reference Librarian, Fort Myers Regional Library 2/7/2018