Research Methodology
The Civil War Days is committed to providing accurate, verifiable genealogical data. To accomplish this, we utilize a primary-source focused research pipeline.
Our Data Sources
Every regimental and company record in our database is compiled and cross-validated using rigorous primary and secondary historical sources. We prioritize programmatic retrieval (via APIs and polite scrapers) directly from authoritative government archives.
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): We query the NARA Catalog API to verify the existence of Compiled Military Service Records (CMSRs) and Federal Pension records.
- National Park Service (NPS) CWSS: We index data against the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System to verify regimental timelines, battle participations, and casualty figures.
- State Adjutant General Reports: Official state volunteer rosters published post-war between 1866 and 1905 are used to fill gaps caused by Federal record loss.
Record Availability Index (RAI)
The Record Availability Index (RAI) is an algorithmic metric designed to give modern descendants an accurate expectation of the availability of surviving records. It evaluates historical context—specifically which side the regiment fought for, the survival of their state's archives, and the availability of Federal vs. State pension records.
4.5 to 5.0: Pristine (Abundant Records)
Profile: Almost exclusively Union regiments.
Why: The U.S. Federal Government maintained meticulous, centralized records. Union soldiers were eligible for Federal pensions immediately after the war. Their muster rolls were meticulously preserved by the War Department in Washington D.C., and many of these regiments had detailed unit histories published by veterans in the 1880s and 1890s.
3.5 to 4.4: Good (Average Availability)
Profile: The vast majority of standard Union regiments, and some highly famous Confederate regiments.
Why: The records survived the war intact. For Confederates in this tier, it means their Confederate Compiled Military Service Records (CMSRs) were successfully captured at Richmond before they could be destroyed, and their home state didn't suffer catastrophic archive burnings.
2.5 to 3.4: Difficult (Sparse Records)
Profile: The majority of Confederate regiments.
Why: Confederate soldiers were explicitly denied Federal pensions until well into the 20th century. If a descendant is looking for a pension record, they have to rely on State pensions, which were impoverished, inconsistent, and often not issued until 30+ years after the war (when many veterans had already died). Furthermore, many Confederate muster rolls were lost during retreats.
1.5 to 2.4: Very Difficult (Burned Counties)
Profile: Confederate units from the Deep South, Trans-Mississippi theater, or highly localized defense militias.
Why: This rating indicates severe record destruction. This happens when the soldier's local county courthouse was burned down (e.g., during Sherman's March through Georgia/South Carolina, or the "Burned Counties" of Virginia). State and local census data, tax records, and enlistment papers were completely incinerated.
1.0: Near Impossible (Lost/Destroyed)
Profile: Irregular partisans, guerillas, or extremely late-war conscripts.
Why: Total loss of records. These units may have never officially mustered into the regular army, meaning no central government ever wrote their names down.