Civil War Records

[Fox Creek Kid]

I was visiting with my uncle today in my hometown at his job. Well, it's not really a job as he is retired yet he volunteers and runs (one man show) the county VA office. Little did I know that he had three large modern black binders with Civil War records of everyone from the county. They have all been transposed (typed) years ago & he said the originals were gone. He showed me the record for his great grandfather among others. There was a record for a man who was born in 1800, served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812 & as a recruiter in Iowa during the Civil War!! I implored him to have someone volunteer to put these records on disc as if there were a fire the paper records are irreplaceable. It was amazing reading the biographical notes added years later about these incredible people. Brevet rank promotions, POW, etc., etc. However, the most amazing part is that the history is right where I grew up. It's so easy in any historical endeavor to overlook the little things while trying to grasp the "big picture".

[Deadeye Don]

That is so cool.  I agree with you.  Those records need to be put on a disk with multiple copies being made and stored in other locations or in  fire proof box.

[Top Kick Ken]

An idea might be to contact the local Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).   http://www.suvcw.org/
They were the successor to the GAR.  They may be able to assist in any records preservation efforts.  A local historical society or the LDS are some other possibilities too.

[Dutch Limbach]

It might make a nice project for the History Department of a local high school or college.

[Kiowa Scratch]

It sounds like you uncle is a good source for an oral history project.  We have a unique opportuntiy to record "living" history for our future generations.