Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 4:55 a.m. PST |
Many years ago, some ancient female relative or other said that her great uncle or something was a drummer boy at Gettysburg. Being young, I ignored her. Now I am curious. I'm not much of a genealogy guy, but my sister is. If possible, I would like to dig something up on him to add to her research. If the story is true (bear in mind that old ladies like to tell stories…), how can I find out? It would probably be a Pennsylvania regiment. His name would have been Groark, possibly William. Where should I begin? I'm a complete novice at this. |
Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 4:57 a.m. PST |
It's also possible that he was in a regiment from Northeast Pennsylvania, Luzerne County. |
idontbelieveit | 18 Apr 2016 5:19 a.m. PST |
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A P Hill | 18 Apr 2016 5:20 a.m. PST |
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idontbelieveit | 18 Apr 2016 5:22 a.m. PST |
Searching here did not find a Groark link |
FreemanL | 18 Apr 2016 5:23 a.m. PST |
First off, start with the Soldier and Sailor system. Here is the link link Hopefully that shows up… But just in case, I ran the Groark name through the last name part of the search and no results were found. That in itself is not conclusive proof but it may mean the name is wrong. My ancestors fought for the south (North Carolina) and many of them did not make it. But they are in the system. I had to find out information on them from other sources like regimental accounts once I knew where they had served and in one case, I found out their fate from a website that listed where they had died from exposure in Maryland. Danielle's all fought for the north and New York, In stark contrast to my family, all but one of her relatives lived and they saw action from 1862 to the end. Again, their names showed up in the database first and we had to confirm by research where they served and what they did. But being wargamers, that is just as much fun as creating scenarios! Larry |
davbenbak | 18 Apr 2016 5:37 a.m. PST |
Try the website "fold3.com". It is affiliated with "Ancestory.com". Sometimes there is a free trial membership. I was surprised with the amount of info I found on my family who served in the Confederate army where documentation was scares (enlistment papers, pay slips, muster rolls, hospital visits, even capture papers). Apparently some time around the turn of the century these guys started applying for veteran's benefits and records were gathered. |
Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 5:52 a.m. PST |
"Groark" was one possibility. Sammon and O'Brien another. The latter is probably very common. Thanks for the links. |
The Captain of the Gate | 18 Apr 2016 6:15 a.m. PST |
From your past posting,I will find it fascinating if your relative was a drummer boy for a nice SOUTH CAROLINA regiment. |
Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 6:27 a.m. PST |
No, we were all coal cracker Paddies. *grin+ |
Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 6:28 a.m. PST |
And there are also spelling differences for Groark I could try. |
ColCampbell | 18 Apr 2016 7:07 a.m. PST |
John, I would also suggest you try your state archives for this information. Here in Mississippi we have as complete a list as possible of the Mississippians who served in the Confederate army (and even of those who served in the Union army). I would anticipate the Penn archives would have the same. Jim |
Rudysnelson | 18 Apr 2016 8:29 a.m. PST |
In the South, two sources are checking out county and church letters. Prior to the First World War the 50 year anniversary, many counties and veteran organizations produced unit histories from their area. County tax records will show if your grand parents received survivor benefits after the war. In the south, these started in 1866 if they fought for the north and 1876 if they fought for the CSA. |
Ed Mohrmann | 18 Apr 2016 10:00 a.m. PST |
Winston, it is a REALLY long shot, but there is a 'George Roark' (B1840 D1887) who might fit. Could it be 'G. Roark' your family remembers ? |
GildasFacit | 18 Apr 2016 10:37 a.m. PST |
Rourke is one common Irish way of spelling the name, you could try that. Also consider the possibility of a misreading of 'O' as a 'G' giving the very common O'Roa(u)rk(e). I know we have had spelling issues within our family history searches, some not as yet resolved. |
rmaker | 18 Apr 2016 11:38 a.m. PST |
Another possibility is that he may have been with a Pennsylvania State Militia unit(several were involved in the Gettysburg campaign) and might, therefor, not show up in Federal records, so concentrate on the state stuff. |
Winston Smith | 18 Apr 2016 1:46 p.m. PST |
The family name was spelled Groark. I had a favorite aunt with that spelling. |
vonLoudon | 21 May 2016 9:55 a.m. PST |
County of home record may have some general info on family. In Virginia its the county clerk's office. Check 1850 and 1860 census to get idea of ages of men with that name who might have served. Check also local historical society in that county. Check local libraries for books etc by the local historians who may have compiled information. Check letters collections of prominent men who served from that area. Also check any surviving newspaper archives for that area. Check state library and state historical society. Check memorial organizations of civil war soldiers in that state. Check US Army history collection at Carlisle Barracks in PA. Check national archives muster rolls for that state. Also get on Ancestry and check other related people's family trees for that family name. Persevere and you will find what you are looking for. Once you get a name and a unit go to the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion now on discs and figure out the battles they served in. |