U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1940

Source Information

This database contains an index to U.S. Marine Corps muster rolls from 1798-1940. Information contained in this database includes:

• Name
• Rank
• Enlistment date
• Muster date
• Station

About Muster Rolls:

Muster rolls are lists, usually prepared bimonthly, of the names of soldiers assigned to any military unit – militia, National Guard, regular army or navy, or volunteer army or navy. Usually these refer to a company, but they often refer to a regiment, a special detachment, or a band. Rolls for personnel on board ships were referred to either as crew lists or muster rolls. The rolls were made at the time a unit was created (muster-in rolls), when a unit was reorganized, when two or more units were merged, and when a unit was disbanded (muster-out rolls). Names appearing on a muster roll indicate those who were present or accounted for on a given date, at which time a review of the troops and an inspection of their weapons and accoutrements was conducted.

This roll was used as the basis for pay due the soldiers. Names of commissioned officers were listed first, followed by names of noncommissioned officers and then privates. Shown on the form are the date and place of enlistment of each individual, by whom enrolled and for what period of time, date of muster into service, and date of last payment. Remarks might include information about any individuals absent or deceased. Prior to 1918, muster rolls sometimes also contained a “record of events” column describing the activities engaged in by the unit.

Taken from Neagles, James C., in U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources, (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry, 1994).