If any of my fellow Milwaukee researchers would like to tag along, I would welcome the company.

http://thing1.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/Military%20Symposium_2010.pdf

The Allen County library has a large collection of genealogy materials from all states. I have heard it is definitely worth the trip out there if one can go.

It is approximately 5-6 hours to drive out there (depending on Chicago Traffic). I don’t know when I will be leaving yet. It will either be Thursday or very early Friday to give me time to do research at the library at least for a few hours. (first session starts Friday at 2:30) (It will also depends on the other passengers).

If you are interested let me know. You would be responsible for all your own costs (admission, hotel, food, etc.) I am willing to split a room if you are comfortable with that.

Let me know by sending me an email, placing a comment below or calling 262-783-1620.

Ellen-

Thank you to Civil War Roots for letting us know!

Footnote.com has worked with the US National Archives to bring millions of original records to the Internet for the first time. Civil War records that feature everything from personal accounts to historic writings that would shape a nation. Explore vivid details of Civil War battles through maps and photos. Get a personal picture of the war through Union and Confederate soldier service records, pension files, and more.

What is this collection?

Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers labeled with each soldier’s name, rank, and unit, with links to revealing documents about each soldier. Collections include records for soldiers from over 50 territories and states.

What can I find?

* Returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers
* Union prison registers and rolls
* Parole rolls
* Inspection reports
* Originals of any papers relating solely to a particular soldier
* Military unit

To access the records go to Footnote.com.

On the side menu under the category heading click on Civil War Records.

Then use the search to put in the name you are searching for. any results that come up in green are free through the month of June.

Veteran tombstones are often inscribed with acronyms and abbreviations that denote their rank, medals earned, unit of service,  and other information on the veteran or veteran family member.  The list below are some of the most common acronyms and abbreviations.

Military Groups & Veterans Organizations

DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution
SAR – Sons of the American Revolution
GAR – Grand Army of the Republic
SCV – Sons of Confederate Veterans
SSAWV – Sons of Spanish American War Veterans
UDC – United Daughters of the Confederacy
USD 1812 – Daughters of the War of 1812
USWV – United Spanish War Veterans
VFW – Veterans of Foreign Wars

Military Unit & Branch of Service
ART – Artillery
AC or USA – Army Corps; United States Army
BRIG – Brigade
BTRY – Battery
CAV – Cavalry
CSA – Confederate States of America
CT – Colored Troops; may precede the branch such as CTART for Colored Troops Artillery
CO or COM – Company
ENG or E&M – Engineer; Engineers / Miners
FA – Field Artillery
HA or HART – Heavy Artillery
INF – Infantry
LA or LART – Light Artillery
MC – Medical Corps
MAR or USMC – Marines; United States Marine Corps
MIL – Militia
NAVY or USN – Navy; United States Navy
REG – Regiment
SS – Sharpshooters (or sometimes Silver Star, see below)
SC- Signal Corps
TR – Troop
USAF – United States Air Force
VOL or USV – Volunteers; United States Volunteers
VRC – Veteran Reserve

Military Service Medals & Awards

AM – Air Medal
ACM – Army Commendation Medal
BS or BSM – Bronze Star or Bronze Star Medal
CSC – Conspicuous Service Cross
DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross
LOM – Legion of Merit
MOH – Medal of Honor
PH – Purple Heart
SS or SSM – Silver Star or Silver Star Medal

These abbreviations generally follow another award to indicate superior achievement or multiple awards:

A – Achievement
V – Valor
OLC – Oak Leaf Cluster (generally follows another award to indicate multiple awards)

Abbreviations to denote rank:

BBG – Brevet Brigadier General
BGEN – Bridgadier General
BMG – Brevet Major General
COL – Colonel
CPL – Corporal
CPT – Captain
CSGT – Commissary Sergeant
GEN – General
LGEN – Lieutenant General
LT – Lieutenant
1 LT – First Lieutenant (2 LT = 2nd Lieutenant, and so on)
LTC – Lieutenant Colonel
MAJ – Major
MGEN – Major General
NCO – Noncommissioned Officer
OSGT – Ordinance Sergeant
PVT – Private
PVT 1CL – Private First Class
QM – Quartermaster
QMSGT – Quartermaster Sergeant
SGM – Sergeant Major
SGT – Sergeant
WO – Warrant Officer

Check out the Civil War Dead page for a listing of those that received military tombstones.

The following were entered in the cemeteries.

La Belle
Lyman

Cemetery X
Poelks
Kline

Buried Elsewhere
Terwilliger

Prairie Home
Vanderpool
Valentine
Enos
Voght/Vogt
Watson
Kippers
Crawford
Culver
Brown
Clinton
Henry
Mallory
Everett
Hartman
Chamberlain
Radcliffe
Cox

Last Tuesday my nephew was hit by a car while crossing the street in Whitewater. He is still in critical condition, now a week later. We are praying for him constantly. You can email me privately if you are interested in any details.

His parents put up a blog here so that all that love him can monitor his progress more easily:

http://sewcrafty-mikesprogress.blogspot.com/

Many people have asked if they can send flowers or if they can help in anyway. I believe whole heartedly, besides your prayers and positive thoughts, we all can help Mike best by supporting him in his recent decision. On August 13, Mike wrote the following letter to me:

Hello,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you’re enjoying your summer. As you may know, this past May I graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater (UWW) with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Computer Systems (MCS). My time there was well spent, I learned so much about myself, the man I wish to become, and had a blast doing it! While I enjoyed my major, my future goal is to become a campus staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UWW rather than “using my degree” in the typical sense.

The decision to join staff took me almost a year to make, but after much thought, prayer, and council of others, I truly feel called by God into the ministry of InterVarsity and therefore am pursuing it with every effort. Not having a relationship with Christ when I first attended college I understand first-hand the need for college Christian ministry. Staff and students in InterVarsity poured their love, training, and generosity into me during school and I want to pless others in the same way. The best way for me to do this is through joining InterVarsity staff.

As a campus staff worker I’ll be helping students grow in their relationship with Jesus, learn to love all people and teach them how to become future leaders in the church. Becoming a campus staff worker will allow me to use many of my natural skills. I’ll be relating with people, expressing my passion for God, and making a difference in people’s lives.

In order to make this goal a reality, I’ll need a team of support to keep me going. My support team will consist of people willing to pray for me, people willing to travel with me and help me with my personal cares, and financial support to meet my salary and ministry expense needs. It’s my hope and prayer that you would be interested in being part of my team and helping me meet some of those needs and challenges.

I will be contacting you within the next few months, along with many others, and would appreciate you to being thinking and praying about your interest in supporting my ministry with InterVarsity. If you have any questions I welcome your response through a phone call (he left his number) and his email (I won’t post that since he cannot respond right now), or sitting together face to face and discussing it. Thanks for reading and please look forward to our future contact.

Blessings,

signed Michael J. Chaloupka

If you feel the wish to help, it would be spectacular if when Mike wakes up and is further on his journey to recovery that he finds his salary needs for the upcoming year are met. Please help support Mike, by going to http://www.intervarsity.org/ and clicking on the donate link on the left. You can give by credit card, phone, mail or automatic withdrawal from your account. Any amount is good, even if it is just a dollar or two.

It will ask you if you want to give towards a certain person. Put in Chaloupka and it will come up with his name. Check the radio button and then continue.

Thanks for reading,

Mike’s Auntie Ellie