Online World War I Indexes and Records - USA

A Genealogy Guide

Online World War I Indexes and Records - USA

• World War One Draft Registration Cards at FamilySearch (free with registration) includes digital images of the draft cards
• World War One Draft Registration Cards Index (with digital images) (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)
  Has nearly 24 million records; includes digitized images of the draft cards (from National Archives Microfilm Publication M1509, imaged from FHL microfilm)
  • Also see: How to Find World War One Draft Registration Cards

• Soldiers of the Great War - 3 volumes Scanned books of WWI deaths

• World War I Indexes and Records at Ancestry (these require payment, except the Naval Deaths database)
  • American Soldiers of World War I - Death Index arranged alphabetically by state
  • U.S. Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939 not specific to World War I, but includes the WWI years
  • U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1893-1940 not specific to World War I, but includes the WWI years
  • U.S. Naval Deaths, World War I (free with registration)

• U.S. WWI Burial Cards at Fold3/free with registration
  • Also available at NARA: Burial Cards of World War I Soldiers Card Register of Burials of Deceased American Soldiers, 1917-1922 from the National Archives (NARA)

• United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940 from FamilySearch indexes World War I veterans who made (or whose heirs made) pension or benefits claims of the Veterans Administration from 1917 to 1940.
  • Veterans Administration Master Index - Key to Codes and Prefixes If you find someone in the VA Master Index, this PDF document explains what the codes on the index cards mean.

• United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939 (Army) at FamilySearch; large collection of digitized WWI (and later) Army rosters listed by location, regiment, etc.

• United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933 at FamilySearch for Army and Navy invalids and their widows; from NARA microfilm publication M850
• US Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933 at Fold3 (requires payment) for Army and Navy invalids and their widows

• Marine Corp WWI Casualty Cards large PDF files

• Prisoners of the First World War 1914-1918 from the International Committee of the Red Cross

• World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919 from FamilySearch

• Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918 at Fold3 (requires payment) from National Archives microfilm publication M1952

• World War One Alien Registration Records - Indexes of German (and some Austrian) Aliens in the US 1917-1918
  • See links in the Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and North Dakota sections below. Also see the "WWI Era Alien Registration Records" section near the bottom of this page.

World War I Records by State

• Alabama...
  • Alabama, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 from Family Search
  • Alabama World War I Service Cards from the Alabama Department of Archives and History Digital Collections
  • Alabama Military Card Files, 1917-1918 (at Ancestry/requires payment)
  • Alabama World War I Gold Star File of WWI Deaths

• Alaska...
  • Alaska WWI Military Service Records: Personnel Information and Death Statistics (PDF files)
  • Alaska State Archives (Juneau), Military Service Discharge Records, 1898-1934 from FamilySearch

• Arizona World War One Alien Registration Index (partial)
• Arizona, Military Discharge Records, ca.1918 - ca.1989 from FamilySearch; for Apache, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties; coverage varies by county

• Arkansas World War I Discharge Records Index from the Arkansas State Archives

• California...
  • California WWI Soldier Service Cards, 1917-1918 (at Ancestry/requires payment)
  • California, Geographical and Name Index of Californians Who Served in WWI, 1914-1918 from FamilySearch
  • California, Honor Roll of Californians who served in WWI, 1914-1918 from FamilySearch
  • California, World War I Death Announcements, 1918-1921 (at Ancestry/free with registration)
  • California, San Francisco, World War I Enemy Alien Registration Affidavits, 1918 at FamilySearch

• Colorado...
  • Colorado Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 43,000 listings (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)
  • Colorado Historical Records Index includes...
    • World War I Civilian Service Questionnaires
    • Weld County World War I Veterans
    • Colorado State Archives Veterans Graves Registrations 1862-1949
  • Denver Public Library - Colorado World War I Indexes includes...
    • Fallen Heroes of World War I from Denver, Colorado
    • Colorado World War I Draft Registration Cards Index
    • Colorado World War I Draft Registration Index - Minorities
    • Colorado World War I Casualties Buried in Europe

• Connecticut...
  • Connecticut: World War I Veterans Database
  • Connecticut: World War I Military Census of Nurses, 1917 from FamilySearch
  • Connecticut, Military Census Questionnaires, 1917 from FamilySearch

• Delaware World War I Servicemen Records, 1917-1919 from FamilySearch

• Florida...
  • Florida World War One Service Cards
  • Florida World War I Navy Card Roster, 1917-1920 from FamilySearch
  • Broward County Guards Records, 1917-1918

• Georgia...
  • Georgia World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription) includes scanned images of the cards; some surnames beginning with the letter 'B' are missing
  • Georgia World War I Statement of Service Cards Index, 1920-1929 from FamilySearch
  • Georgia World War I Casualties Scrapbooks from the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault

• Hawaii World War I Service Records - Army and Navy

• Idaho WWI Adjutant General Discharge Cards Index

• Illinois...
  • Illinois: 1929 Roll of Honor Database contains the burial locations of 72,000 Illinois veterans, some from WWI
  • Illinois Digital Archives: World War I Documents includes...
    • Knox County, Illinois. The Honor Roll, 1917-1918-1919
    • Menard County Honor Book
    • The Honor Book: Sangamon County, Illinois, 1917-1919, Official Service Record
    • Shelby County in World War I
    • And many other items

• Indiana...
  • Indiana, World War I Enrollment Cards, 1919 from Family Search
  • Indiana World War I Deaths
  • Allen County, Indiana: Genealogical Records of German Families Derived from Enemy Alien Registration Files, 1918

• Iowa...
  • Iowa Word War I Casualties
  • Iowa Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998 from FamilySearch

• Kansas...
  • Kansas WWI and Military Indexes includes
    • Kansas World War I Bounty Claims Index
    • Kansas Soldiers of the Great War
  • Kansas World War I Records at Ancestry (these are included with an Ancestry subscription)...
    • Kansas, World War I Veteran Collection, 1917-1919 (requires payment) "...includes newspaper clippings, photos, service records, letters from family and friends, biographical sketches, and other documents related to Kansas veterans who served in World War I."
    • Kansas Enrollment of WWI Veterans, 1930 (requires payment) "This database contains forms used to enroll eligible Kansans for World War I veterans' benefits" Original data from the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas.
    • Kansas: Camp Funston Military Records, 1914-1919 (requires payment)
  • Kansas Casualties in the First World War 1917-1919
  • Shawnee County, Kansas, Honor Roll, World War, 1914-1918 scanned book from FamilySearch
  • Kansas World War One Enemy Alien Registration Affidavits...
    • Kansas World War One Enemy Alien Registration Affidavits at the National Archives
    • Kansas: Registration Affidavits of Alien Enemies, 1917-1918 (at Ancestry/requires payment) indexed; includes digitized images from National Archives Microfilm Publication M1997
    • Harvey County, Kansas: Registration of German Alien Enemies Index, 1918

• Kentucky...
  • Fallen Kentucky Soldiers in WWI
  • Kenton County World War I Records

• Louisiana...
  • Louisiana World War I Service Records, 1917-1920 (from FamilySearch)
  • Louisiana in World War I includes a list of casualties from Louisiana

• Maine...
  • Maine Military Men, 1917-1918 36,300 listings (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)
  • Maine World War I Draft Registration Index, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch
  • Maine State Archives, World War I (WWI) Grave Cards, 1914-1950 at FamilySearch
  • Maine State Archive Collections, 1718-1957 at FamilySearch; includes a World War I Card Index to Soldiers by Town, 1917-1919 (also has a Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Card Index)
  • Maine World War I Records includes Record of Deaths in World War I, and some rosters

• Maryland Military Men, 1917-1918 67,900 listings (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)

• Massachusetts: World War I Soldier Photographs has 8500 digitized photographs of WWI soldiers from Massachusetts

• Michigan...
  • Michigan, Census of World War I Veterans with Card Index, 1917-1919 from FamilySearch
  • Kalamazoo County World War One Veterans
  • Honor Roll of Kalamazoo County, 1917-1919 at Ancestry/requires payment
  • Kent County (Grand Rapids): World War One Veterans Census Index

• Minnesota...
  • Minnesota: YMCA World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 digitized index cards from FamilySearch
  • Minnesota Alien Registrations, 1918 (copies of the records can be ordered for a fee)
  • Minnesota Gold Star Roll Records Index, 1915-1921

• Mississippi...
  • Mississippi World War I Statement of Service Cards and Indices
  • Mississippi, World War I Army Veterans, Master Alphabetical Index, 1917-1918 from Family Search
  • Mississippi World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 from FamilySearch

• Missouri...
  • Missouri: World War I Service Cards included in the Missouri State Archives' Soldiers Records database
  • Missouri, Pre-WWII Adjutant General Enlistment Contracts, 1900-1941 (National Guard) from FamilySearch; for National Guard enlistments
  • St. Louis...
    • St. Louis Post-Dispatch WWI and WWII Casualty Lists
    • St. Louis Star Times Article Series: St. Louis World War Fighters (index)
    • Missouri History Museum: Genealogy Index (you can order copies of items found in the index for a fee) includes...
      • World War I Biography and Service Records Index for Persons Who Enlisted in St. Louis City and County. (The Missouri Adjutant General's Office compiled a biographical and service record of Missouri soldiers, sailors and marines who served in World War I. This is an index to those biographies for St. Louis City and County. Be aware that not everyone filled out the biography questionnaire forms.)
      • Casualties European War, July 20, 1918-September 8, 1939 (Indexes three scrapbooks of St. Louis area newspaper clippings.)
      • World War I: Index of Persons Who Enlisted in St. Louis City and County Who Died in Service
    • Also see: St. Louis Genealogy Records and Resources

• Montana Military Records, 1904-1918 from FamilySearch

• Nebraska WWI Draft Registration Cards Database 1917-1918

• New Jersey World War I Casualties Database includes descriptive cards and photographs

• New Mexico World War I Records, 1917-1919 (at Ancestry/requires payment)

• New York...
  • New York World War I Databases at Ancestry (these are included with an Ancestry subscription)
    • New York World War I Veterans' Service Data, 1913-1919 (requires payment)
    • New York Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919 (requires payment)
    • New York Abstracts of National Guard Service in WWI, 1917-1919 (requires payment)
    • New York, Record of Award Medal, 1920-1991 (requires payment) digitized index cards with names of people who received military service medals from the State of New York
  • Roll of Honor: Citizens of the State of New York Who Died While in the Service of the United States During the World War (World War I) scanned book from FamilySearch
  • Roll of Honor: Citizens of the State of New York Who Died While in the Service of the United States During the World War (World War I) Index Compiled by Brigadier General J. Leslie Kincaid, New York State Adjutant General, 1922; from the New York State Military Museum
  • New York Soldiers of the Great War: Fallen New York Soldiers of World War One scanned, indexed book from the Larchmont Historical Society
  • New York City German Enemy Aliens Database has over 26,000 names from a newspaper list

• North Carolina...
  • North Carolina World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch
  • North Carolina Digital Collections: World War I includes Local Draft Board Records for some counties, and other items

• North Dakota...
  • North Dakota Military Men, 1917-1918 67,900 listings (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)
  • North Dakota: Enemy Alien Registration Affidavits, Correspondence, and Supporting Documentation, 1918 digitized microfilm from FamilySearch (not indexed)

• Ohio...
  • Ohio Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 (requires payment - part of an Ancestry subscription)
  • Ohio, World War I, Enrollment Cards, 1914-1918 from FamilySearch
  • Ohio, World War I Statement of Service Cards, 1914-1919 from FamilySearch; for the Marine Corps, Navy, and out of state enlistments
  • Ohio, WWI Index and Return Cards, 1916-1920 from FamilySearch; for soldiers who served in the 83rd Division

• Oregon...
  • Oregon: World War I Personal Service Histories Index part of the Oregon Historical Records Index
  • Oregon, World War I, County Military Service Records, 1919-1920 from FamilySearch
  • Oregon: World War I, Veteran State Aid Applications, 1921-1938 from FamilySearch
  • Oregon World War One Deaths, Army
  • Oregon World War One Deaths, Navy & Marine Corps
  • Oregon WWI Draft Registration Index

• Pennsylvania...
  • Pennsylvania, Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916 (at Ancestry/requires payment) includes World War I Service Medal Application Cards, with digitized images of the cards
  • Pennsylvania World War I Service Medal Application Cards Index
  • Pennsylvania: Soldiers of the Great War (World War I) Fallen Pennsylvanians of World War I
  • Pennsylvania WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948 (at Ancestry/requires payment)
  • Chester County World War I Servicemen Index - Chester County War Aid Association

• South Carolina...
  • The Official Roster of South Carolina Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the World War, 1917-18 from the South Carolina State Library

• Tennessee...
  • Tennessee Military Research: World War I includes...
    • Tennessee Records of Ex-Soldiers in World War One Index (see the "Record of Ex-Soldiers" database listed below for digital images)
    • Tennessee World War I Gold Star Records Index
    • Tennessee World War I Veterans' Questionnaires Index
  • Tennessee Virtual Archive includes:
    • Record of Ex-Soldiers in World War I, Tennessee Counties, 1917-1919 (with digital images)
    • Tennessee World War I Gold Star Records

• Texas...
  • Texas World War I Records, 1917-1920 from FamilySearch
  • A Short History and Photographic Record of the 359th Infantry Texas Brigade (scanned searchable book) primarily from 39 Northeast Texas counties, but other counties are included
  • Texas, Various Counties, Military Discharge Records, 1916-1990 at FamilySearch; for Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Ellis, Falls, Hood, Llano, Williamson, and Wise Counties; coverage varies by county

• Utah...
  • Utah, World War I Militia Lists, 1917-1918 from FamilySearch
  • Utah, World War I Service Questionnaires, 1914-1918 from FamilySearch
  • Utah, World War I County Draft Board Registers, Name Index, 1917-1918 from FamilySearch

• Virginia...
  • Virginia: World War I History Commission Questionnaires
  • Virginia Military Dead Database ongoing project
  • World War I Draft Registrations for Northern Virginia draft registrations for the City of Alexandria, Alexandria (now Arlington) County, and Fairfax County

• Washington (state)...
  • Washington World War I Service Statement Cards 1917-1919
  • Washington World War I Service Statement Records at Ancestry/requires payment
  • Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 from Family Search
  • Soldiers of the Great War Casualty List (Soldiers from Washington State who lost their lives in World War I)
  • Spokane County War Committee, Veteran Service Record Cards, 1921-1922

• West Virginia Veterans Memorial Database (for 20th Century Wars)

• Wisconsin World War I Roster Database

• Wyoming, Military Service and Veterans Records, 1914-1946 at Ancestry/requires payment

National (Military) Cemeteries

• Veterans Affairs Burial Search for National Cemeteries and Burials with VA Gravemarkers (USA)

The 1930 Census - Military Question - Did Your Ancestor Serve in WWI?

• The 1930 U.S. census can usually tell you if someone served in WWI (or a previous war). Look at columns 30 and 31 on the census form: "Whether a veteran of U.S. military or naval forces." Column 30 asked, "yes or no." Column 31 asked, "What War or Expedition?"

• The 1930 U.S. census is available online for free (with registration) at FamilySearch, or at Ancestry if a you have a (fee-based) subscription.
  • 1930 United States Census at FamilySearch free with registration
  • 1930 United States Census at Ancestry.com requires payment

WWI Era Alien Registration Records

• Unfortunately, most of the WWI Enemy Alien Registration Records have not survived. There are some available online for Arizona (partial), California (San Francisco), Indiana (Allen County), Kansas, Minnesota, New York City (from a newspaper), and North Dakota. See the state listings above for links to those.

• FamilySearch has a helpful list of what is available from the U.S. National Archives (NARA) at: Alien Registration Files. Items listed there for the WWI era include: Arizona (Phoenix), Kansas, Kentucky (Eastern District/Franfort), Louisiana (Western District/Shreveport), Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina (Eastern District/Raleigh), and Ohio (detained enemy aliens; Western Division of the Southern District/Cincinnati); most of this material is not available online.