Any hope in finding a Capt. A. Royer?

[FahanParish]

I found a photo in my great-grandmother's album - of a uniformed Union officer - on the back is written Capt. A. Royer - My Great-grandmother lived in Berks County, PA - but also had relatives in Illinois - any advice on how to search?

 

[lupaglupa]

There was a Captain Abraham Royer in the 200th PA.

 

[lupaglupa]

Abraham R. Royer, born 1842. 1860 Census he was living with his father Daniel Royer in Marion Township, Berks County. He was a miller, as was his father.

He enlisted in 1864 as a 2nd Lt and was promoted to captain. He mustered out in May of 1865 at Alexandria, VA.

He died in 1908 in New Jersey and is buried in Montgomery County PA - here's his Find a grave listing -

Capt Abraham R. Royer (1842-1908) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Union Army Officer. Captain, Company B, 200th Pennsylvania

www.findagrave.com

 

[Fairfield]

According to HDS, there were only 13 soldiers in the Union army named A. Royer--and only one of those was commissioned in as noted by @lupaglupa. Others among the 13 may have been promoted. What you'll need to do is define the link between your great-grandmother and the soldier. Try to key on her in census records and, once you've identified her, expand your search to determine her parents--continue this way until you hit the surname "Royer". At this point, determine who in that family served in the Union army as a captain. The Pennsylvania records are excellent and the Illinois records are pretty good also.

Of course it may turn out that the captain was simply a family friend but the very fact that your great-grandmother retained his picture would indicate a stronger relationship

 

[FahanParish]

Abraham R. Royer, born 1842. 1860 Census he was living with his father Daniel Royer in Marion Township, Berks County. He was a miller, as was his father.

He enlisted in 1864 as a 2nd Lt and was promoted to captain. He mustered out in May of 1865 at Alexandria, VA.

He died in 1908 in New Jersey and is buried in Montgomery County PA - here's his Find a grave listing -

Capt Abraham R. Royer (1842-1908) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Union Army Officer. Captain, Company B, 200th Pennsylvania

www.findagrave.com

Thank you! How did you do that? Thanks so much!

 

[FahanParish]

According to HDS, there were only 13 soldiers in the Union army named A. Royer--and only one of those was commissioned in as noted by @lupaglupa. Others among the 13 may have been promoted. What you'll need to do is define the link between your great-grandmother and the soldier. Try to key on her in census records and, once you've identified her, expand your search to determine her parents--continue this way until you hit the surname "Royer". At this point, determine who in that family served in the Union army as a captain. The Pennsylvania records are excellent and the Illinois records are pretty good also.

Of course it may turn out that the captain was simply a family friend but the very fact that your great-grandmother retained his picture would indicate a stronger relationship

What is HDS?

 

[lupaglupa]

Thank you! How did you do that? Thanks so much!

Finding records is pretty much my full time hobby so it wasn't a big stretch. But - as @Fairfield points out - we can't be sure this is the exact right man until we eliminate any other possibilities. It certainly seems like the right person based on what we know now but it's always best to make sure.

I did look to see if there are any pictures of Royer floating around and found none. It looks as if he had no children and I found little evidence of him in online family trees so it doesn't look like anyone is trying to document his life.

 

[Fairfield]

What is HDS?

Historical Data Systems. It has a website dedicated soley to the military placement of soldiers and make-up of regiments (including regimental histories and analysis) at www.civilwardata.com. There is a nominal subscription of $25/yr.

 

[FahanParish]

Finding records is pretty much my full time hobby so it wasn't a big stretch. But - as @Fairfield points out - we can't be sure this is the exact right man until we eliminate any other possibilities. It certainly seems like the right person based on what we know now but it's always best to make sure.

I did look to see if there are any pictures of Royer floating around and found none. It looks as if he had no children and I found little evidence of him in online family trees so it doesn't look like anyone is trying to document his life.

I have a photo of him in his uniform - and the pieces fit together. He and his father were millers - my family were millers and from the same township as Capt.Royer - thank you again!