Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of service record cards for veterans of the New York Guard. Information varies but minimally includes name, address, date of enlistment, company, and regiment. Most of the cards document the service records for soldiers mustered into state service when the New York Guard was reorganized to replace New York National Guard units which were being activated into federal service just prior to and during the Second World War.

Subseries 1, Service Cards, 1906-1918, 1940-1947: Service cards spanning 1906-1918 include name, date of enlistment, grade, and organization. In addition, some cards give age at time of enlistment. Some cards include date of and notes on departure, such as honorable discharge, dropped, etc. Service cards spanning 1940-1947 include name, date and place of birth, home address, number of years, date of enlistment, organization or unit, and usually date of and cause of separation such as honorable discharge or to enter U.S. Armed Forces. Cards may also include change of address and dates of re-enlistments. The verso of cards on microfilm reels 43-60 is not always shown.

Subseries 2, Enlistment Records, ca. 1947-1948 (M-Z only): Consists of printed forms giving the usual information, but also include next of kin, education, occupation, prior military service, marital status, number of dependents, general health condition, date, signature of witness, and signature of the enlistee. The verso of the record sometimes includes a medical report on the enlistee and an oath and signed certificate of enlistment. Enlistment records also include attached permission forms completed by parent or guardian for enlistees under 18 years of age. Enlistment records are present for enlistees whose last names begin M-Z only.