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Archiver > MOHOWARD > 2001-09 > 1001510611


From: "Elizabeth DuBois Russo" <>
Subject: Re: [MOHOWARD-L] RE: United Daughters of the Confederacy
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 09:23:31 -0400
References: <01c14699$bfe856e0$d596a0cf@laura-s-compute>


For what it is worth, it is possible that a soldier served for the
Confederacy and is not documented in the usual sources.

In researching my DuBois ancestors from Alabama, I found records at the
National Archives in D.C. that had not been documented elsewhere. I found
original rosters that were too fragile to have been microfilmed, for
example. Indeed, some of these records appeared to have remained sealed
for many years, possibly since the end of the war.

Keep in mind that NARA is the repository for federal records, and that when
Confederate troops surrendered to or were captured by Union ones, their
records would often/usually be kept by the U.S. government and not given
back to the state.

If my experience with the 8th Alabama Cavalry (Hatch's brigade) is any
indication, there may be way more records at NARA than anywhere else on
Missouri troops, including than in the state archives.

Now, getting to those records is another problem. To view original records,
you need to register as a researcher with NARA in Washington, and be cleared
by at least two levels. I believe I was allowed to view the records I saw
because I was writing articles for some Alabama history and genealogy books
and the units I was researching had not been documented. I suspect that had
I been just looking for genealogical info on just my great-grandfather I
would not have gained access to these records.

I hope to research Missouri troops someday in the next year or two. My
great-grandmother, MISSOURI PRICE THOMPSON was allegedly named by her father
JOHN THOMPSON after Sterling Price under whom he allegedly served. I can't
find any records on him from MO confederacy sources yet, but certainly
several of his brothers served (records include prison records maintained by
the U.S.).

All of which is to say, do not necessarily conclude that a person did not
serve because the "usual" rolls don't list him.

EDR



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