How do I do research?

[KPavia]

Hello

Ok, I've used the search funtion here, I've read through the "How to" threads by Mr. Schmidt on doing research, but I've not found my answers, so I'm just going to ask them here. Forgive me if this has been repeated, but I haven't found the thread.

So, my big question is- how the heck do I find Quartermaster Returns? People sometimes post different returns here and I've tried searching the internet on how to find them but no luck. So where can one find QM returns for various regiments? One place I tried looking was the National Archives website. I've looked all through that site but its so user unfriendly that I can't find anything. I've emailed people and filled out "help desk" forms but all I've been getting as a response is that they don't have what I'm looking for.

Is it possible to find them digitally or must one walk into some sort of archive and look at them personally?

I guess my overall question is what records are available online, where can I find them, and what records are not available online?

Thanks for any help.

[CompanyWag]

Re: How do I do research?

Sadly, the last I have heard the QM records have not been digitized or even microfilmed as emphasis at the archives has been placed on records more useful for geneological researchers. To my knowledge, you would have to go in person or hire a specialized researcher. However my information is admittedly dated, and can only hope that the current situation at the National Archives may be different. I would love to be wrong.

Paul McKee

[GrumpyDave]

Re: How do I do research?

You have to go to the National Archives in Washington DC or the AHEC in Carlisle, Pa. They're (the QM records) aren't on line...yet.

[Blair]

Re: How do I do research?

Before the home computer information revolution (that has only been within the past 20 years or so) one had to go to the repositories which housed such documents/artifacts.
Often having to call in advance and arrange an appointment. One had to take hand written notes. One was required to have a pretty high reading comprehension as well for the written documents.
Micro film was a great innovation to sharing such information with the masses, but requires a microfilm reader and photo copier. Not all Libraries could afford such advances in Technology.
All this may sound pretty primitive by today's standards. The search for research simplified by about 1000%. However, none of this works unless someone somewhere puts the information into a computer first.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: How do I do research?

Kenny,

When I was researching some for an Indiana regiment, I went to Indiana State Archives in Indianapolis. I suspect it's worth a try for any state. Call the state capitol government and start asking around. Persistence and ALOT of footwork pay the best results. Good luck.

[AZReenactor]

Re: How do I do research?

I just returned from a 9 day, 9 repository research road trip through New Mexico. I found bits and pieces of the information I needed scattered all over the place. Some of my efforts were very successful others were not so much.

When trying to reassemble the puzzles of the past it is important to realize from the very beginning that a good may of the pieces you want may be hard to find, misplaced, mislabeled as belonging to some other puzzle, or simply gone forever. There is no one stop shop for looking up a unit and finding out how they were armed, equipped, clothed, fed, quartered, paid, reinforced, trained, utilized, etc. You may have to seek out a dozen different sources, cross reference them, compare them with the findings of others, and then squint real hard to merely come up with a picture of what is most likely, but not necessarily absolute fact. There is a reason that history requires constant, consistent revision based on new facts and evidence that has come to light or been assembled in new ways. Above all though, realize that yours is a hunt for clues that will most likly result in more questions rather than conclusions.

One thing I have found particularly useful of late has been a careful and deliberate study of Kautze's Customs of Service and The Company Clerk. Knowing what forms were filled out, who they were sent to, and why helps a very great deal in sorting out where the needed records are likly to be housed now. A few other books I've found particularly useful for NARA research is Military Service Records: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications, The Union: A Guide to the Federal Archives Relating to the Civil War, and The Confederacy: A Guide to the Archives of the Confederate States of America.

NARA is a very good place to conduct your search, as are state and community archives. For anyone just starting I suggest they start their research online, then utilize their library for Inter-Library loan of relevant secondary sources. One should pay careful attention to the bibliographies and footnotes then look up what those secondary sources looked up. From there move on to the archival and other primary sources, then after having it all figured out, start looking around for those sources and resources that you and others have missed or overlooked and revise the conclusions that have been accepted based on any new evidence that comes to light.

Hopefuly this is somewhat helpful.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How do I do research?

Hallo!

IMHO, the research "methodoly" is the same.

The problem NUG is that we are dealing with:

1. what documents actually survived (meaning who thought what was "important" at the time and later.
2. what documents were considered important enough to have been recorded, cataloged, and stored in some from of retrievable venue
3. what resources, facilities, and manpower does an archival body or library have on hand to be able to retrieve stuff "on demand" or "call."

For example, sometimes the best "material culture" reference material coems out of local libraries and historical societies rather than than NARA, because the widow or descendents of So-and-So donated a shoebox full of dusty and worn papers and junk to their local society rather than throw it in the fireplace or trash.
And it is in the gravel and sandbars of odd streams one occassionally finds a grain or nugget of gold, or gemstone.

Even for myself, I get mentally frustrated with the notion in my head that not every captain or 1st Sergeant kept his company book, or every arsenal or depot commander did not keep each and every requisition and shipping orders for every unit, everywhere, all of the time.

Alas, IMHO gold is when and where you find it. (But obviously we are not rich gold miners...)

Curt
Well digger more than a gold miner Mess

[KPavia]

Re: How do I do research?

Thanks everyone for pointing me in the right directions. Now I know where to dig rather than just randomly looking, and I've sent off forms requesting service records from the New York state archives!
Thanks guys!

[OlszowyTM]

Re: How do I do research?

Re: NYs records. Contact the NYS Library, which is separate from the Archives and request the microfilm records for the NYS Adjutant General's office (there is Ordnance info in these) as well as the QM records from 1861-66, keeping in mind the annual reports in some cases may be a year behind, i.e. the report for 1862 contains data from 1861. They are on microfiche and relatively inexpensive. Be aware though they are spotty, especially for the first batch of three year regt's in 1861.According to the staff at the time we were there, NYS forwarded a number of records to the US Government for reimbursement & the records were not returned to the State. They are somewhere in the depths of NARA & we have yet to find them, if they even still exist.

Another set of files in NYS to check is the GAR records. Some regiments are very well represented others are not. Check Sue Greenhagen's site for a list of GAR posts. Again it is hit & miss.

As for the NYS Archives there are files with general headings such as correspondance but a detailed item level listing is not always available. If you were to open some of those files you would be amazed at the plethora of info that is there. The best way to approach it, is to be specific & avoid a "shotgun blast " type of inquiry. Unless you hire a researcher & one who understands your area of interest, to review those records, you are probably going to continue to be frustrated with the responses. You are most likely going to have to do the leg work yourself.

Consider taking a couple vacation days & go in person. For your 1st trip, plan on the 1st day being orientation, catalog searches & time spent waiting for document retrieval with little or no actual hands on document time.