1 Reply Latest reply on Mar 11, 2020 11:45 AM by Lisha Penn

Seeking records on Army dependents

Lynn Alex Mar 9, 2020 6:20 AM

My second great grandfather was in U.S. 1st infantry (companies G and D) Regular Army in Texas/Indian Territory in the 1850s. After 1856 his wife and children were with him. I can follow his units' movements at various forts during this time, culminating in Ft. Leavenworth in 1861. Are there any sources (except for pension and widow's pension records from NARA) that would provide additional information, particularly on dependents and arrival dates/locations in Texas? I have not seen their names on Galveston's immigration records. I know they were married in Bexar County, Texas in 1856.

Re: Seeking records on Army dependents

Lisha Penn Mar 11, 2020 11:45 AM (in response to Lynn Alex)

Dear Ms. Alex,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located 19 series pertaining to Fort Leavenworth during the 1860s in the Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands (Record Group 393) that may contain information about your ancestor. Please note that the Army did not keep a list of dependents (wives & children) who were living with servicemen on military posts in the 19th Century because they were civilians. The modern day support structure for families did not exist (see United States Army's Family and MWR Programs). For access to and/or copies to this series, please contact the National Archives at Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDT1) via email at archives1reference@nara.gov.

Please refer to our previous response about the 1st Infantry Regiment.

We suggest that you review United States Department of War; Historical Commission of Bexar County; OTexas State Library & Archives Commission: Our Collections; Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965; Texas Online Genealogy Records Genealogy; Family Life at the Forts; and Frontier Forts for background information.

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

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