As a family historian, you enjoy adding names, dates, and facts to your tree and watching it grow in size. However, learning more about the lives of the people behind those names, dates, and facts, may make your genealogy research all that much more worthwhile to you and your family. In this article, we describe a few ways that you can make the lives of these Civil War-era people seem more real to you.

Visiting Historic Civil War Sites

Visiting a battle site where your ancestor fought can be an interesting way to learn more about their Civil War experiences. More than just monuments to look at, many battle sites offer opportunities to learn about the events that took place there during the Civil War. They have guided and unguided tours, pamphlets, and some include visitors' centers, museums, and libraries as well.

The National Parks Service maintains many battle sites, as well as other Civil War-related monuments and parks. Visit them online for descriptions of these historic attractions. The shorter descriptions only give a brief history and description of the site, while the more detailed descriptions tell you where the site is located, give calendars of special events, list tours and special activities you can participate in, and even tell you the climate of the area and the best time to visit.

October 23, 1996

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For more information about these and other historic places, check your local library or bookstore for travel books and guides. You may also try writing to the tourist board of the state or area where the sites that interest you are located.

Locating Photos

Genealogists always love the opportunity to put a face with a name in their tree. The most likely way to come across a photograph of your Civil War ancestor is to search through the holdings of archives, libraries, and museums who have records relating to the unit in which your ancestor served, the battles and areas in which he fought, and the area in which he lived. You may not come across a photo in all of your digging, but you may also be pleasantly surprised.

Viewing Reenactments of Battles and Everyday Life

Reenactments take place throughout the year in both Southern and Northern states. Check the list of events maintained by the U.S. Civil War Center, or contact the tourist board or historical society in the area that interests you.

Take Your Nose out of Those Books

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