World War I registrations
In 1917 and 1918, approximately 24
million men living in the United States completed a registration card,
representing 98% of men under the age of 46 and close to 25% of the total
population.
The WWI draft registration cards contain a lot of information pertinent to
genealogical research. Information that may be found on these cards includes
full name, address, age, date of birth, race, citizenship, occupation, employers
name, location of employment, name and address of nearest relative, physical
description, and signature of registrant, among other things. Use the
information found in this database to fill in details about your ancestor's
life. Then, use the information as a springboard to lead you to other records.
For example, if the address of your ancestor is listed on the draft card, use
that information to find your ancestor in a city directory and then trace your
ancestor through that city's directories for as many years as you can.
The draft cards are also a good source for finding immigrant information because
all young men were required to register, regardless of U.S. citizen status, and
since 1880-1920 was a high immigration period, a large portion of immigrant men
registered and gave information of birth date, birthplace, and in some cases
their father's birthplace and nearest relative.
Several Skvarenina's from Chicago and Wisconsin have been found so far:
Anton John Julius Louis Martin Peter Stefan Steve
Three different forms were used. The following files show what is on the forms (PDF viewer required):