Genealogy and Research Links for the 15th MVI

More Information for Genealogy of the 15th MVI and general interest:

Contacts:

	So you want to do your genealogy? But you're not sure how? Start here at RootsWeb (off-site) -- Click the icon, and they'll tell you how. ---->
	Worcester County, MA, in the U. S. GenWeb Project. (off-site) for information on others searching area families and available resources.

Finding photos:

Consolidated thumbnail portraits of the 15th Massachusetts so far located.
Information on obtaining reproduction of photos from the Worcester Historical Museum is HERE.
The source and contact for other photos is posted with an individual's biographical information in the Roster and Genealogy section.

Finding documents:

	Civil War military records and pension files are now available via online order directly from the US National Archives. Click here on the NARA Research Room, and look for type of record "Federal Military Pension Files for the Revolutionary War through the Civil War", then click to the right "Order Online!". There are pension records for the Union only. If a man died in the war, there won't be any pension records. But a widow may have applied and that information would be sent. There is no charge if the National Archives find nothing. I've found it worth a try even if you only think your man was of an age to have served. I've been pleasantly surprised on a couple of occasions. The pension files usually contain a wealth of information. Statements of the soldier’s service, marriage information, children’s birth dates, death certificates, and more. Even the names of third persons who witnessed affidavits can be valuable clues for further research.
	Consolidated index of primary source documents online here at the 15th Massachusetts website -- or not too far off-site.
	The Fitchburg Historical Society has extensive material, including photos, about men of the 15th MVI. Among the founders of the society was John W. Kimball, Lt. Col. of the 15th Massachusetts.
	The Worcester Historical Museum has extensive historical resources about the 15th MVI. Includes available photos of members of the 15th MVI. (See photos above.)
	The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, MA. So far, I have found collections for Chaplain Wm. Scandlin, J. M. Studley, F. J. F. Crossman, S. F. Haven, and Clara Barton. There may be more from the 15th. Please let me know if you find any. (off-site)
	Use this US government Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections to search for other family paper and manuscript collections around the country. (off-site)

Interesting things to see here:

	The flags of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry: History and Photos
	An anecdote about the Regimental Band. (Why the bands were mustered out in 1862...)
	Facsimile of an original 15th MVI Recruiting Poster from December 1861.
	The Draft in the Civil War - how did it work?
	See John Kimball's uniform and gear at the 53rd MVI (off-site link).
	Answer to -- What was the V. R. C. where many men went after service with the 15th MVI?
	Answer to -- What was the GAR? (off site link) Also, information on the GAR in Worcester is available at the Worcester Historical Museum.

General Civil War and Genealogy Links:

	Jim Janke's Index of Civil War sites on the web. (off-site)
	Hear the Music of the Civil War, sequenced by Benjamin R. Tubbs. (off-site)
	Where to find Civil War Genealogy on the net? Click on the icon to Cyndi's List. (off-site)
	Support the RootsWeb Genealogical Cooperative putting primary sources online. If you've never been there, check it out. (off-site)

When you've found your 15th MVI ancestor, perhaps....:

	Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans - a lineage organization for descendants of members (officer or enlisted) of the Union Army. (off-site)
	Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States - a lineage organization for descendants of officers of the Union Army. (off-site)