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Where do I begin looking for my Hawkins County Civil War Ancestor

Where do I begin? That is usually the first question one asks when beginning their search. If you are looking for your Hawkins ancestor, first realize that you can not get anywhere until you know what regiment he served in. You must know your ancestor's full name, if possible, and where he was living at the time of the war.

Searching in Hawkins County, I suggest that you first check the TENNESSEANS IN THE CIVIL WAR, Part II, published by the Civil War Commission, Nashville, Tennessee, 1965. The Confederate Roster is in the front of the book, while the Federal Roster is in the back. Check both sections for your relative if you are unsure whether your ancestor was Union or Confederate. The entry for each individual shows the last name, first name, and middle initial of the individual, followed by the highest rank on record, the company and regiment or other organization in which he served. There may be others with the same or similar name as your relative, so you may have to narrow the search; such as birth dates, etc. If he lived in this county, do not just assume he joined here; he MAY have joined here; or he may have joined in Greene County; Virginia; KY. Also, do not assume he was a Confederate because he lived here. There were many Union men in this area too. But, if you find him listed in the book then you are in luck and now have something to go on.

Now that you have his regiment and company you can begin your search. You will now want to search for military service records and pension files. Each search must be on a separate form. The pension files usually have more family history on them than the military files, which usually have data such as muster date and information as to where he was during a certain time - both important in your search.

If you do not find your ancestor this way, also check the state archives. He may have joined a state militia. One company I have found that a lot of material is missing on are the ones who joined at a later date in the 31st (39th) TN Infantry. I suppose some of these records may have been lost and the only way that some of these men are found is through pension records and even records of those relatives or others who served in that company and may tell of that man being in the same company with him. Be sure to check widow's pension records also which is a good source.

Return to THE BLUE AND GRAY FROM HAWKINS COUNTY, TENNESSEE 1861-1865

Photo From Nat'l Archives