by Kim WEAVER Teeple
At a recent chapter meeting, Al Futon shared his enthusiasm for Civil War research and reenactments. He mentioned that the average Union soldier was about 25 years old—exactly the age my ancestor would have been during the war. That detail sparked my curiosity and inspired me to investigate whether he might have served in the Union Army.
I never imagined that a simple question—Did my second great-grandfather, John Weaver Jr., serve in the Civil War?—would lead me down a winding path of discovery, confusion, and connection. Born in 1835 in Crawford County, Ohio, and buried there in 1891, John’s life spanned the war years, but his service remained a mystery. Like many researchers, I didn’t know where to begin. Which records mattered? Where were they kept? And how could I tell if a collection even included Crawford County soldiers?
Below are the collections and publications that can help you answer the same question about your ancestors—whether you’re a curious descendant, a seasoned genealogist, or just starting out—you can navigate the maze of service records, pension files, and regimental histories too.
Service Records and Muster Rolls
Civil War service records are foundational for genealogical research. They typically include enlistment dates, ranks, unit assignments, and discharge information.
- National Archives Civil War Resources: Offers compiled military service records and unit histories for Union soldiers.
- Ohio History Connection – Muster and Pay Roll Collection: Contains over 500 muster and pay rolls for Ohio units, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery. These rolls often list absences due to illness, wounds, or death.
- FamilySearch Catalog: Military records 1861-1965 and service discharge records 1898-1954, Crawford County, Ohio
Regimental Histories: The 8th Ohio Infantry
The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was active from 1861 to 1864 and fought in major battles including Antietam, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor. Company C was largely composed of men from Crawford County.
- Wikipedia – 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment: Offers a detailed timeline of the regiment’s engagements and notable figures.
- FamilySearch – 8th Regiment, Ohio Infantry: Lists companies by county of origin, confirming Company C’s ties to Crawford County.
- Case Western Reserve Encyclopedia: Provides a narrative of the regiment’s service and its role in repelling Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.
- 1st Independent Battery, Ohio Light Artillery • FamilySearch.
- 57th Regiment, Ohio Infantry • FamilySearch – Company I was from Crawford County.
Pension Files
Pension records are invaluable for genealogists, often containing personal affidavits, medical records, and family details.
- National Archives – Civil War Pension Records: Explains how to request pension files and what information they contain.
- Microfilm Publication T288: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 | National Archives These are also available on Ancestory.com with a subscription at Ancestry.com – Civil War Pension Index: Includes digitized pension cards with service details and family connections.
- FamilySearch – Civil War and Later Pension Index (1861–1917): Searchable database with application and certificate numbers, unit info, and death details.
Burial and Cemetery Records and Obituaries
Identifying burial sites helps complete the story of a Civil War ancestor’s life and service.
- National Park Service – Soldiers and Sailors Database: Includes cemetery records for Civil War soldiers buried in national cemeteries.
- Obituaries from the Crawford County Ohio Genealogical Society, 1860-2004 | FamilySearch.org. This collection contains obituaries from Crawford County Ohio newspapers between 1860 and 2004. If your search of this collection fails, try browsing the collection instead.
- Chapter Members (Membership – Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society) can request digital downloads for any of their Cemetery publications. These publications are also available at all Crawford County Public Libraries (Genealogical Resources of Crawford County Ohio – Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society).
Local Historical Societies and Libraries
Local institutions often hold unique records not available online.
- Crawford County Courthouse (Bucyrus, OH): Holds probate, marriage, and early birth/death and historic deed records.
- Ohio Genealogical Society Library: Offers local expertise and access to member-only databases.
- Ohio Genealogical Society – Civil War Archives: Includes digitized journals and a lineage society for Civil War families.
- Crawford County Ohio Public Libraries.
- Bucyrus Historical Society A visit to the Scroggs House Museum in Bucyrus, Ohio is highly recommended. Don’t miss the Military Room!
- Crestline Historical Society. Their museum has a wealth of information about Crestline residents and history of Crawford County.
- New Washington Historical Society has many unique military artifacts.
- Galion History Center boasts several historical sites.
- Liberty Remembers: Veterans and Servicemen/Women of Crawford County, Ohio – Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society This book is available at all Crawford County Public Libraries.
- Honored & Remembered: Veterans and Servicemen / Women of Crawford County – Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society This book is available at all Crawford County Public Libraries.
Post War Care Records
25. Ohio, Soldier Home Records, 1888-1919 on Family Search.
“Images of admission records of veterans to the state soldier home in Sandusky. Acquired from the state archives, historical society in Columbus. The collection is arranged by admission number.” (FamilySearch.org)
BONUS RESOURCE
Fold3, A Powerful Tool for Civil War Genealogy
Fold3 is a subscription-based digital archive specializing in U.S. military records, essential for anyone researching Civil War ancestors. Most public libraries offer in library access to a special library-based subscription. And some libraries even allow researchers to access through their computers at home. So be sure to ask your local library how to use this tool.
The platform offers access to millions of documents, including service records, pension files, muster rolls, regimental histories, and even veterans census data. For researchers focused on Crawford County, Ohio, Fold3 can be especially valuable. While it doesn’t have a county-specific collection, its searchable databases allow users to filter by state, regiment, and individual soldier, making it possible to uncover records tied to local units like Company C of the 8th Ohio Infantry.
By using Fold3, you can trace a soldier’s military journey—from enlistment and battlefield service to pension applications and burial details. For example, searching by surname and regiment often reveals digitized documents that include enlistment dates, physical descriptions, and even handwritten correspondence. When combined with local resources like cemetery records and courthouse archives, Fold3 helps build a fuller picture of Crawford County’s Civil War veterans and their legacy.
More about my second great-grandfather
Though I haven’t yet found definitive proof that my second great-grandfather, John Weaver Jr., served in the Civil War, the search continues. Each record I explore—whether a muster roll, pension file, or cemetery listing—offers not just military details, but glimpses into the lives our ancestors led. Service records can reveal age, occupation, and physical descriptions; pension files often contain affidavits from family and neighbors; burial records may confirm final resting places and hint at community ties. Even when the answer isn’t clear, the journey itself uncovers stories worth telling. For researchers just starting out, the process may feel overwhelming, but each collection is a portal into our ancestor’s past. Whether you’re tracing a known veteran or searching for someone like John Weaver Jr., these records can illuminate paths through history—and maybe, just maybe, bring us closer to understanding the lives behind the names.