The Ninth Ohio
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2017
- Location
- Queen City of the West
Please excuse the length of this post. It's my hope that it generates some discussion that will help everyone.
I've seen a thread for researching your ancestor pinned to the top of a forum, I've seen orders posted for the destruction of felt hats, and I've seen people with a respected opinion identify certain artifacts to a specific place and time.
What I was wondering is if there were any way we could have a discussion and post common sources that all people should have in their arsenal for doing particular military research for whatever reason, whether it be writing a regimental history, building a living history impression, what have you. It seems to me we should be building each other up and encouraging everyone to have a more thorough and accurate picture of what the Civil War actually was.
I think it first needs to be stressed that there is a difference between primary and non-primary sources. Just for argument, what if I find out my long lost ancestor was a captain in the [Numbered Yankee State] Volunteer Infantry. I am going to search everywhere I can think of for letters, diaries, artifacts, etc. from people who were members of the regiment. Other than the obvious sources like Google and Worldcat, what are other ways a researcher can locate a primary source?
We don't want to limit our search to just sources from this regiment. Every storyteller tells it from his own perspective, so then we can start looking for other sources speaking about it. Other units in their brigade and commanders of their brigade throughout the war may have something to say about their comrades, and may also fill in gaps in dates, assuming the brigade was operating together at the time.
But what about really specific questions?
I saw an order to destroy felt hats posted awhile back. What if I find in my GG Grandfather's diary that the brigade or division issued an order stating no hats could be worn on Sunday. Where would I go to verify such an order was every given? What if he says that on July 1st 1861 they were issued black hats with peacock feathers? Where does one locate quartermaster records that would prove he wasn't incorrect? If he was on campaign and states he was able to buy X from the sutler, but another source says that item was generally lacking at that time, is there any way to locate sutler records? Do they even exist? Is there only one place to find court martial records?
The list of ways to come at a project lie this is long. I'm sure there are a lot more questions I haven't thought of, and I would appreciate hearing other people's methods. It's nice to have a vague idea of what people did and where they went, but for some there is more to it than that. It would be nice for more people to have access to these lesser known sources. I think with it we would see a much more accurate representation of the CW. People can't resist that search bar!
Any contributions anyone else could give would be helpful. Members of our forum who have been published, it would be greatly appreciated if you could share some of your methods.
I've seen a thread for researching your ancestor pinned to the top of a forum, I've seen orders posted for the destruction of felt hats, and I've seen people with a respected opinion identify certain artifacts to a specific place and time.
What I was wondering is if there were any way we could have a discussion and post common sources that all people should have in their arsenal for doing particular military research for whatever reason, whether it be writing a regimental history, building a living history impression, what have you. It seems to me we should be building each other up and encouraging everyone to have a more thorough and accurate picture of what the Civil War actually was.
I think it first needs to be stressed that there is a difference between primary and non-primary sources. Just for argument, what if I find out my long lost ancestor was a captain in the [Numbered Yankee State] Volunteer Infantry. I am going to search everywhere I can think of for letters, diaries, artifacts, etc. from people who were members of the regiment. Other than the obvious sources like Google and Worldcat, what are other ways a researcher can locate a primary source?
We don't want to limit our search to just sources from this regiment. Every storyteller tells it from his own perspective, so then we can start looking for other sources speaking about it. Other units in their brigade and commanders of their brigade throughout the war may have something to say about their comrades, and may also fill in gaps in dates, assuming the brigade was operating together at the time.
But what about really specific questions?
I saw an order to destroy felt hats posted awhile back. What if I find in my GG Grandfather's diary that the brigade or division issued an order stating no hats could be worn on Sunday. Where would I go to verify such an order was every given? What if he says that on July 1st 1861 they were issued black hats with peacock feathers? Where does one locate quartermaster records that would prove he wasn't incorrect? If he was on campaign and states he was able to buy X from the sutler, but another source says that item was generally lacking at that time, is there any way to locate sutler records? Do they even exist? Is there only one place to find court martial records?
The list of ways to come at a project lie this is long. I'm sure there are a lot more questions I haven't thought of, and I would appreciate hearing other people's methods. It's nice to have a vague idea of what people did and where they went, but for some there is more to it than that. It would be nice for more people to have access to these lesser known sources. I think with it we would see a much more accurate representation of the CW. People can't resist that search bar!
Any contributions anyone else could give would be helpful. Members of our forum who have been published, it would be greatly appreciated if you could share some of your methods.
Bringing the