WWI Draft Registration Records

WWI Draft Registration Records All males in the United States  between the ages of 18  and 45  were required by law to register for the draft throughout 1917 and 1918, making WWI draft records a rich source of  information on millions of American males born between about 1872 and 1900. The WWI draft registration records are by far the biggest group of such draft records in the U.S., containing names, ages, dates, and place of birth for more than 24 million men.   Notable registrants of the World War One draft include, among many others,  Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin, Al Capone, George Gershwin, Norman Rockwell, and  Babe Ruth.   Record Type: Draft registration cards, original records (microfilm and digital copies also available) Location:  U.S., although some individuals of foreign birth are also included. Time Period:  1917–1918 Best For: Learning the exact date of birth for all registrants (especially useful for men born prior to the onset of state birth registration), and exact place of birth for men born between 6 June 1886 and 28 August 1897 who registered in the first or second draft (possibly the only source of this information for foreign-born men who never became naturalized U.S. citizens). What Are WWI Draft Registration Records? On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act authorized the President to temporarily increase the U.S. military. Under the office of the Provost Marshal General, the Selective Service System was established to draft men into military service. Local boards were created for each county or similar state subdivision, and for each 30,000 people in cities and counties with a population greater than 30,000. During World War I there were three draft registrations: 5 June 1917 - all men between the ages of 21 and 31 residing in the U.S. - whether native born, naturalized, or alien5 June 1918 - men who reached age 21 after 5 June 1917. (A supplemental registration, included in the second registration, was held on 24 August 1918, for men who turned 21 years old after 5 June 1918.)12 September 1918 - all men between age 18 and 45. What You Can Learn From WWI Draft Records: At each of the three draft registrations a different form was used, with slight variations in the information requested. In general, however, youll find the registrants full name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, age, occupation and employer, the name and address of the nearest contact or relative, and the signature of the registrant. Other boxes on the draft cards asked for descriptive details such as race, height, weight, eye and hair color and other physical characteristics. Keep in mind that WWI Draft Registration Records are not military service records and they dont document anything past the individuals arrival at training camp and contain no information about an individuals military service. It is also important to note that not all of the men who registered for the draft actually served in the military, and not all men who served in the military registered for the draft. Where Can I Access WWI Draft Records? The original WWI draft registration cards are in the custody of the National Archives - Southeast Region near Atlanta, Georgia. They are also available on microfilm (National Archives publication M1509) at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, local Family History Centers, the National Archives and its Regional Archive centers. On the Web, subscription-based Ancestry.com offers a searchable index of the WWI Draft Registration Records, as well as digital copies of the actual cards. The complete collection of digitized WWI draft records, plus a searchable index, is also available online for free from FamilySearch - United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918. How to Search the WWI Draft Registration Records To effectively search for an individual among the WWI draft registration records, youll need to know at least the name and the county in which he registered. In large cities and in some large counties, youll also need to know the street address to determine the correct draft board. There were 189 local boards in New York City, for example. Searching by name only is not always enough as is fairly common to have numerous registrants with the same name. If you dont know the individuals street address, there are several sources where you may be able to find this information. City directories are the best source, and can be found at most large public libraries in that city and through Family History Centers. Other sources include the 1920 Federal Census (assuming that the family didnt move after the draft registration), and any contemporary records of events that occurred about that time (vital records, naturalization records, wills, etc.). If youre searching online and dont know where your individual was living, you can sometimes find him through other identifying factors. Many individuals, especially in the southeast U.S., registered by their full name, including middle name, which can make them easier to identify. You could also narrow the search by month, day and/or year of birth.

Growing Stronger Toegether â€By Author Collective Triskele Books

Growing Stronger Toegether –By Author Collective Triskele Books Growing Stronger Together An interview with Author Collective Triskele Books Looking at groups like the  Alliance of Independent Authors really makes me pause for thought. 10 years ago, people might have said that being an author was a solitary profession. Now, it might very well be one of the most social ones, especially if you’re an ‘indie.’And I believe this is what everyone loves about author publishing: all the actors involved, especially the authors, are positive, energetic people. And they all share common issues, questions and worries. So quite naturally, they get together and discuss them. This is the premise on which author collectives are born.Today, we interview JJ Marsh and the fellow members of Triskele Books, one of the leading author collectives in the UK, to learn how independent authors can grow stronger together.How do you work together as a collective? Is Triskele an umbrella for the work you each produce independently, or do you collaborate on projects?Both, but mostly the former. We’re a team of self-publishe d writers who work like a small publisher. To date, we’ve published eighteen novels. Although we write in different genres, we all offer editorial advice; consult on cover design, blurb and puff quotes; market on a shared platform; organise events and take responsibility for raising our profile. What US collective Five Directions Press calls â€Å"sweat equity†.How did you get together? What was the genesis of the collective? How long have you been working together?We graduated through a series of online critique sites and finally found a home on a site where people took their writing seriously. A collective seemed the ideal ‘third way’ between trad publishing and going indie. Keeping to the highest standards, but maintaining full creative control.In December 2011, three of us met in London and hammered out an ethos. Four years later, much has changed but the ethos remains the same:High-quality writingProfessional presentationA strong sense of placeHow do you guys communicate? Do you meet in person frequently? Do you talk online?Based in three countries, we only get together two or three times a year. That’s when we talk strategy. For daily business, we use email or our private Facebook page. Complex discussions or differences of opinion are usually resolved via Skype.What is, in your opinion, the #1 skill that you bring to the collective (if there is one that stands out)?Gillian Hamer: The main skills I bring are organisation and reliability. I’m the financial guru of the gang so I’d hope trust is a pretty big asset too.JJ Marsh: I’m the strategist. Forever hassling the others with â€Å"I’ve had an idea!†Liza Perrat:  Compiling and keeping updated book reviewers’ list, being the Goodreads guru and connecting with collectives.JD Smith: It is definitely my skills as a graphic designer working on covers, formatting, website, marketing materials and the overall brand look.Catriona Trot h: I think my instinct is to be a community builder. I love making connections with other writers and finding ways of collaborating, as with the Indie Author Fair (see picture below). I have a passionate sense we’re stronger working together. In the long run, that’s how we’ll break down traditional barriers. What makes Triskele work so well, in your opinion? The fact that you all have different skills? Or that you write in different genres? Or that there’s a true friendship between the five of you?The professional approach. Yes, the skills balance, the breadth of genres and the genuine friendship are crucial factors, but we approached this as a serious business. Triskele Books is NOT a hobby.If you had to pick one, what is the best thing about being in a collective with other writers?Catriona Troth: You are not a lone voice. Not only is it a lot easier to get noticed as part of a group, but you feel less like a snake oil salesman promoting someone else’s work than constantly bigging up your own.Gillian Hamer: SUPPORT.   And under that umbrella - editorial, advisory, monetary, workload support. Perhaps most importantly, friendship.JJ Marsh: People who, via encouragement and example, make me work harder.JD Smith: Mutual support, both in terms of having other people to bounc e your work off and also share all the disappointments and achievements.Liza Perrat:   Sharing a glass of wine, er†¦ sharing all the different tasks related to publishing and marketing a book.And of course, what’s difficult about it?Gillian Hamer: Communication. Under that would fall sub headings of quantity issues and quality time we get to spend together. We’ve never had a problem we failed to sort out, but distance and difference can add extra stress. For me, the benefits outweigh any negatives, many times over.Liza Perrat: Trying to participate as much as possible, so as not let the team down, whilst juggling everything else in life.JD Smith: Not so much agreeing with one another but the vast amount of communication that inevitably occurs when things have to be approved or given the thumbs-up.Catriona Troth: Apart from the workload, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, you do give up a certain amount of freedom. You can never say, stuff that, I’m go ing to do it my way. Every decision ultimately has to be subject to the agreement of the rest of the team. There’s power in that, but constriction too.JJ Marsh: The constant yet necessary evaluations as to whether we’re still on the right track. You’ve expanded the group I think once since you started - what brought this on? Do you want to keep expanding or do you worry you might lose yourselves in doing so?One of our key aims is to support and develop writers – it’s how we grew. However, we need to balance the time and effort that goes into that process. So until 2016, we’re not expanding at all. We’re exploring potential collaborations and alternative ventures but sticking to our ethos, which means pouring all our energies into our own writing and trying to raise the bar.Are there any other collectives out there that you think are worth mentioning? Are you looking into partnering with some of them for cross-promotion, or to create a collective of collectives?Lots! We make a point of seeking other collectives and discovering how they do it. We interview them on our blog. We’ve built relationships with several and now you mention it, a collective of collectives is a terrific idea. Wa tch this space†¦Do you have any plans for 2015? Tell us about them!Connecting with readers – three new releases due out next year. Marketing opportunities - new formats, translations and a short story collection. Building relationships with writers via ventures such as IAF#15. Strategic alliances based on location. Getting sponsored by a Prosecco manufacturer.But top of the list is writing.We formed Triskele with one aim in mind: to become better writers.What do you think about author collectives? Can Indie authors grow stronger if they get together and share resources? Do share your opinion in the comments below!Follow Triskele Books on Twitter and Facebook