Record Retrieval

Your Access to the National Archives

I am located in Washington, D.C. and am available to make copies of records for you at the National Archives. You will receive a high-quality digital scan of your requested records in a fraction of the time.

Wondering what you can expect from the military records I can get you? See the records I have retrieved for past clients here:

Why use Roam Your Roots for record retrieval?

  • Personalized Service

    Official record request forms can be confusing for those new to military genealogy or new to the National Archives. If you have any questions about the process or finding service information for your ancestor, I’m here to help!

  • Fast Turn-around

    I once waited three years to hear back from the Archives at St. Louis regarding a record search I requested, only for their response to be that they couldn’t find record of a “Lisa O’Toole” - they had mixed up my name with the name of the soldier I was researching!

    Avoid that situation - you’ll have your records within 2 months of your request.

  • Record Interpretation and Research Recommendations

    I can help interpret service files and pension applications and make recommendations on next steps for your genealogy research: what to look for next, where to find it, and how to include these record sets in fun research projects (for example, I used civil war service files and pension applications to map my ancestor’s civil war experience).

Records at the National Archives

Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War records are some of the best genealogical resources you can use to trace your 18th century ancestors. Many of them have already been scanned into the National Archives Catalog, so be sure to check there first!

War of 1812

Many people often overlook the War of 1812 in their genealogy research. It was certainly more obscure than the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, but the records hold just as many genealogical gems. Consider whether one of your ancestors may have been a War of 1812 veteran and whether they would have Pension or Bounty Land Warrant applications.

Civil War

Civil War records are by far some of the most interesting records to sift through for genealogical research. The service records can give you detailed information about your ancestor’s involvement and location in the War, and the pension applications may include genealogical gems such as birth places, family names, and marriage records.

What’s in a Civil War Service Record?

Fee Schedule

Military Service Files: $40

Pension Applications: $80 up to 100 pages; $0.70 cents per page after 100 pages

Bounty Land Warrant Applications: $40

Submit a Record Retrieval Request

Before submitting a record retrieval request, please first search the National Archives Catalog to ensure the record you are requesting hasn’t already been digitized (you never know!)