New York State Adjutant General's Office Abstracts of National Guard Service in World War I

Statement on Language

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Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
The series consists of abstracts for officers and enlisted men in units of the New York National Guard who were mustered into the U.S. Army during World War I. Each individual's entry includes: U.S. Army serial number; date and place of commission or enlistment; muster dates (N.Y. and U.S. with rank, company, and regiment); and date, rank, and reason (type of discharge or transfer) for leaving service. Sometimes additional remarks detail service overseas, promotions, or service conduct.
Title
Abstracts of National Guard service in World War I
Quantity
30 cubic feet; 96 volume(s)
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
13721
Creator
Arrangement

Arranged by military unit and therein alphabetical by name.

Administrative History

The Military Law of the Consolidated Laws of 1909 (nominally Chapter 41), as amended by Chapter 644 of the Laws of 1917, governed the New York National Guard during World War I. The New York National Guard was drafted into the service of the United States by presidential order effective August 5, 1917.

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of an abstract of the service of officers and enlisted men in units of the New York National Guard who were mustered into the regular U.S. Army during World War I. The records were created pursuant to Chapter 75 of the Laws of 1919, which directed the Adjutant General to compile, collect, and preserve records relating to the wars in which the state participated.

The record for each individual usually provides the following data: name; U.S. Army serial number; date and place of commission or enlistment in state service; date of appearance for duty; dates of muster into service (N.Y. and U.S. with rank, company, and regiment); date and rank at time of leaving service; and reason for leaving service (type of discharge or transfer). Following these data are "remarks" which sometimes give details of such additional matters as service overseas, promotions, or conduct during service. At the bottom of the form is space to record: age; height; complexion; color of eyes and hair; birthplace; occupation; residence; marital status; and name of wife, parent, or guardian. These spaces are more often than not blank.

Alternate Formats Available

High resolution images of a portion of the muster rolls for the 15th New York National Guard Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters" are also available in State Archives Digital Collections.

The entire series is digitized and is available to New York State residents for free on Ancestry.com New York. You must sign up for a free account to access these records without a paid subscription.

To learn how to create the free account, go to How to Use Ancestry.com New York.

B1357 World War I Veterans Bonus Cards contains related records.

B0814, Muster Rolls of New York National Guard Units that Served in the U.S. Army During World War I contains related records.

B0808 Abstracts of World War I military service contains related records.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

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