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Where can I get copies of a relative's American revolution records?

Catherine Spry

My 5th great grandfather, Johann Adam Gensel, (born 1758 in Pennsylvania, & died 3/14/1848 in Catawissa TWP, Columbia Co, Pennsylvania) was in the American revolution, in the 6th battalion, Berks Co Militia, and his rank was Private.  I'm wondering if there is someplace I can request copies of his service records?

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    Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

    We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War in the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records (Record Group 93).  However, we could not locate a file for the name “Johann Adam Gensel.” These records were not created during the Revolutionary War, but were created by the Department of War starting in the 1890s from extant records among its files in an attempt to create substitutes for records destroyed by fires in 1800 and 1814. Because the Department was not able to reconstruct every record, a soldier may have served in a military unit during the war, but there may not be a compiled military service record for him. Also, while the Compiled Service Records includes a limited number of records relating to state militia units, most members of state militias are not referenced in these records. Please contact the Pennsylvania State Archives to inquire about Pennsylvania state records.

    Another possibility to consider is that the files for him may be listed under variant spellings or names.  For example, we located a file for a Gansell, John - Pennsylvania, although this card is for an ensign in the 5th Battalion.  



    We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!