Researching Your Ancestors in the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database (CWSS) is one of the most widely used — and frequently misunderstood — Civil War research tools. It does not contain full-service records, pension files, or images. Instead, it functions as a name-and-unit identification database designed to answer a critical first question:

Did this person serve in the Civil War, and if so, in what unit?

For genealogists, CWSS is most valuable as a starting point that:

• confirms Civil War service
• identifies regiment and company
• distinguishes between men with the same name
• directs researchers to the correct military records to pursue next

This Quicksheet explains how the database works, what information it provides, and how to use it effectively without overestimating its scope.

Download the Quicksheet PDF

To obtain a four-page Quicksheet PDF of the information, download it by clicking on the Download button below: 

For all the previously published Quick Reference Guides, click on QuickSheets. 

Genealogy QuickSheets – Frequently Asked Questions