USGenWeb Mississippi Archives Index
of WW1 Registrants

Return to Mississippi Archives

Notice these files can also be reached from the individual county directories.

NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation, without the permission of the author and submitter, Ray H. Banks.

BIRTH DATA -- RESIDENTS, FORMER RESIDENTS ALIVE IN 1917

To Mississippi researchers:

The attached files represent my transcriptions of the civilian draft registration in 1917-1918 for your county. I hope you will find these helpful and of interest..

WHAT ARE THESE?

During the last two years of World War I, almost 24 million Americans were required to register for the military draft. I must emphasize civilian registration because only a small minority of these men was ever inducted into the military. A higher percentage of this American male population was reached by this process than by the 1920 census. In addition, the information provided was much more complete and reliable than the census information because the registrant was the person providing the information. Because many states did not have birth registration during the years these men were born, the cards serve the function of substitute birth records.  - Ray H. Banks

For additional information on the draft cards and how to obtain other information, including how to get any WW1 service records, please visit Mr. Banks website, Records of WW1 Era Persons.