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Re: I need help identifying a military uniform-Bible says he was a quarter master sergeant 2nd artillery, he was in Alaska from about 1867-1880. Also, any information about the photographer "Johnson-Penn Ave. Washington DC would be helpful.
Research Services at the National ArchivesMar 7, 2018 10:13 AM (in response to Carmen Stephl)
Dear Ms. Stepl,
Thank you for posting your question to History Hub!
While the resolution of these images poses a challenge for identification, we can recommend additional resources to support your research.
Personnel and unit records for that time period are in the custody of the National Archives at DC -- Textual Reference Branch (RDT1). Please contact them via email at archives1reference@nara.gov. For more information about researching military records, please visit the NARA website, Research in Military Records
Information relating to heraldic items such as coats of arms or historic insignia, uniforms, flags, colors, streamers, and guidons of military units can be obtained by contacting the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, 9325 Gunston Road, Room S-112, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5579 or call (703) 806-0055 or email usarmy.belvoir.hqda.mbx.tioh-webmaster@mail.mil
Additionally, the Alaska State Archives and Alaska Historical Society may be useful resources for researching Alaska military history. Unit records for that timFor more information about researching military records, please visit the NARA website, Research in Military Records
Regarding identifying a photographer, you may wish to reference Washington D.C. city and business directories from the time period. Ancestry.com has compiled a digital collection, U.S. City Directories, 1822-1925, which includes directories of Washington, D.C. between 1862 and 1960 (Please know that while Ancestry requires a paid subscription to view records on their site, many local libraries, as well as all NARA research centers, possess Ancestry Institution accounts for the public's use).
Also, you may wish to attempt locating the photographer in the U.S. Federal Census records from the time period. NARA’s digitization partners, Ancestry and FamilySearch (a free, family history website), have digitized the U.S. Federal Census records for 1790-1940. For more information about researching census records, please visit the NARA website.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!