A wonderful press release received today!
January 14, 2020
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the National Park Service’s Palo
Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (NPS) announce the launch of the U.S.-Mexican
War Soldier & Sailor database.
This online, searchable database contains information for over 85,000 U.S. and
Mexican veterans who served in this war. Many records include personal details, such
as hair color and occupation.
The database allows descendants of these soldiers and sailors to connect to their
personal history and helps Palo Alto commemorate and tell the stories of those who
served. This invaluable research tool benefits genealogists, historians, as well as
people who may have never known they are related to a U.S.-Mexican War veteran.
This project started in 2007. Progress was extremely slow until 2015, when FGS joined
forces with the NPS. FGS offered their expertise and numerous volunteers.
Patricia Rand, the FGS contact, recruited and trained volunteers who spent over 17,000
hours doing the tedious task of inputting data. Their dedication makes it possible for
future generations to learn about those who served in the U.S.-Mexican War..
Join us for the virtual launch of the U.S.-Mexican War Soldier & Sailor Database on
Monday, January 27 at 3 pm Central. You can join us in-person at the Palo Alto Visitor
Center or live from your computer. Check the Palo Alto website or Facebook for details
about the livestream connection.
About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and empowers
the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and
organizations, by advocating for the preservation and access of records and providing
resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions.
FGS helps genealogical societies and family history enthusiasts alike to strengthen and
grow through online resources, FGS FORUM magazine, and through its annual national
conference which provides four days of excellent learning opportunities for both
societies and family history enthusiasts. FGS launched the Preserve the Pensions
project in 2010 to raise more than $3 million to digitize and make freely available the
pension files from the War of 1812. Fundraising was completed for that project in 2016
and the digitization continues. FGS was also the driving force behind the Civil War
Soldiers and Sailors project alongside the National Parks Service. To learn more visit
fgs.org.
© 2020, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.
I have an ancestor who fought in the Texas / Mexico War. Is this the same? I live in Australia.
Yes, it was. Have fun with the research when it appears!
Also check military bounty land grants made to returning Mexican War veterans that can often be found at county registrar’s office!
Thanks, Paula! Great info!
Thanks, Paula, for publicizing this. All the volunteers put a lot of work into this.
You and the others are rightfully excited about this!