Begin with what you know
Start a family-history search by recording the person’s name, likely service branch, approximate dates, and any known unit or duty location. Keep uncertain details visibly marked as uncertain. A family story is valuable as a lead, but it is not automatically a verified service record. Separating memory from documentation helps preserve both without forcing them into premature agreement.
Match the record to the question
The National Archives holds different kinds of military material, including personnel records, unit reports, photographs, maps, and other collections. A personnel file may help establish assignments or training, while a unit history can provide broader context. State militia records may require a state archive rather than a federal repository. Many holdings are not fully available online, so an unsuccessful web search does not prove that no record exists.
Build a traceable research trail
Write down where each fact came from and retain the document description or catalog reference. Compare names carefully when several people could fit the same search. If a record contradicts a remembered detail, investigate rather than silently choosing the more attractive version. A useful family account can acknowledge a gap and still tell a meaningful story. Before publishing personal material, consider privacy and the wishes of living relatives. The goal is not simply to assemble an impressive service narrative. It is to create a reliable account whose sources another family member could follow and understand years later.