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John Stanton · 03-22-2013, 03:05 PM

Somewhere in my cluttered brain, I have a vague rememberance of a question about the Records of Paroled Confederates. This may not be THE answer, but here is what I found. NARA Record Group 393 "The Preliminary Inventory of the Records of U. S. Army Continental Commands 1821 - 1920. In the Provost Marshal Division, #5449 is OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE AND PAROLES 1861-65 (4 feet) That is: 4 Feet of shelf space). Arranged by year and thereunder Alphabetacally by initial letter of surname of citizens. That last word "citizens" may mean it does not include "soldiers". It may not include mass paroles. etc. but it may be a start. (I'm looking for paroles issued in MAY 1865 at King George Courthouse. - HELP.)

Dave Taylor · 03-22-2013, 03:46 PM

You may have remembered my desire to find Confederate paroles, John. I want to find a signature of Michael O'Laughlen and thought that his Oath of Allegiance could provide it.

Now I'm going to demonstrate my ignorance of researching at/with the National Archives. How would I go about using this wonderful information John has provided to see if they have Mike's Oath of Allegiance?

Bill Richter · 03-22-2013, 03:59 PM

I used to just show up when everything was at the downtown National Archives, give them a list like Stanton's info above, and after getting their security clearance, I went to a reading room and someone would show up with the file(s) I needed on a cart. It is best if you can talk the librarian into letting you accompany them. Never can tell what might be on nearby shelves that you did'nt even know about. I think that the old military records are out in Maryland now. Everyone was always nice to me. You might even be able to email them ahead of time to find out where your records are. I wrote letters in my time (not as far back as John Stanton, but I am pretty old and had no computers then). There were also printed guides, now probably available on the web, that can help guide you.

Wesley Harris · (This post was last modified: 03-22-2013 04:53 PM by Wesley Harris.)

(03-22-2013 03:46 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote: Now I'm going to demonstrate my ignorance of researching at/with the National Archives. How would I go about using this wonderful information John has provided to see if they have Mike's Oath of Allegiance?

The National Archives is an adventure like no other. I wouldn't attempt any research unless you can devote at least two full days. It may take a day to locate what you want and another day to examine the documents. The attached guide was invaluable to me in anticipating the hurdles that make it such a time-consuming venture:
http://www.78thdivision.org/uploads/Rese...20NARA.pdf

BettyO · 03-22-2013, 05:25 PM

Dave -

Check your PM....

John Stanton · 03-22-2013, 08:50 PM

Dave. I'm glad you remembered, I didn't. Now, email NARA and give them that address I gave you. It is indexed by year and name. So, Give them them name you want (good spelling) and a range of dates -say March to May 1865. They may be able to go directly to it. If that dosen't work, they will tel you what you need to do. Go get 'im!