Could men register for draft in city they lived?

Dear Ms. Lindberg,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

Men registered with their local draft boards, which typically were composed of local officials drawn from pre-existing voting precincts. For more information about conscription in the United States during World War I, please see the following:

• https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww1/draft-registration
• https://www.archivesfoundation.org/documents/mobilizing-war-selective-service-act-world-war/
• https://www.sss.gov/history-and-records/timeline/
• https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2016/09/world-war-i-conscription-laws/
• https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/selective_service_act

If you are looking for draft registration records, these are in the custody of the National Archives, not local governments. We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the series titled Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 in the Records of the Selective Service System (World War I) (Record Group 163) that are in the custody of the National Archives at Atlanta (RE-AT). A small sample of draft registration cards of notable individuals has been digitized and can be viewed online through the Catalog. For access to and/or copies of the remaining records, please contact RE-AT via email at atlanta.archives@nara.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgment as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RE-AT. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

As part of our on-going commitment to preserve our records, the National Archives has entered into partnerships with Ancestry to digitize some of NARA's holdings. These records are now available in digital form and can be viewed online via Ancestry as the data collection U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Archives has partnered with Ancestry to make the vast majority of their NARA-digitized holdings freely available to the public. Anyone with Internet access can create an account and access NARA records and use other Ancestry resources, such as their educational offerings and family tree-maker application. For more information see their announcement at https://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2020/03/24/free-at-home-education-resources-from-ancestry-and-access-to-nearly-500m-national-archives-records/

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

Kathy,

Most states, cities or counties for which in individual lived could have entered the draft. Is there something your seeking?

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider