150th Anniversary of the Civil War

As America commemorates the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, you can explore the history of that conflict — and your ancestors’ roles in it — in ways those fighting men in blue and gray never could have imagined. Today, you can look up the name and unit of every known Civil War soldier on the web, along with histories of his (and, yes, her, in some cases) regiment. We’ve put together a collection of our favorite Civil War resources to help you trace your own roots. These photos were collected from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration and the Fairfax County Public Library.

Life in Civil War America Book

Author and historian Michael O. Varhola takes you back to Civil War, illuminating both the sweeping changes and cultural norms that shaped the everyday lives of soldiers and civilians during the war that divided the nation. Inside you’ll find:

• A look at the social and economic realities of daily life in the Union and Confederacy
• An explanation of military life in the army and navy
• The typical diets of soldiers and civilians, including period recipes, food preparation, and the impact of shortages and inflation on rations
• Definitions of common terms, slang, and idioms of the era
• Dozens of Civil War photographs and illustrations plus an appendix by Maureen A. Taylor
• Tips for researching ancestors who fought in the Civil War
• A foreword by Civil War author and historian Eric J. Wittenberg

GET THE BOOK

Life in Civil War America Sweepstakes

Each Friday in April, we’re giving away a copy of Life in Civil War America. Simply “Like” Family Tree Magazine now for your chance to enter the Life in Civil War America Sweepstakes. There are two ways to enter:

1. Post a comment about the Civil War to our wall or leaving us a comment on our Facebook page. Entrants who already “Like’ Family Tree Magazine need only to leave a comment on the Family Tree Magazine Facebook fan page during the sweepstakes entry period.
2. Post a comment on Family Tree Magazine‘s Genealogy Insider Blog. Choose any blog post where we write about Life in Civil War America.

DETAILS:

• Sweepstakes starts: April 6, 2011, at 12:01 am (ET).
• Sweepstakes ends: April 29, 2011, at 11:59 pm (ET).
• Open to legal U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older.
• Read the official rules here.

Civil War Research Class at Family Tree University

The Civil War — also known as the War of the Rebellion or the War of Northern Aggression, depending which side your ancestors were on — generated more casualties, dissention and records than any other conflict in American history. If your ancestors lived in the United States between 1861 and 1865, they undoutedly felt the effects of the war. And if they were males in their prime, they probably served in a military unit. Civil War Research: Find Your Ancestors in the War Between the States will guide you in determining your ancestor’s service, finding the records to document it, and fleshing out your knowledge of their lives. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER TODAY

Ultimate Civil War Anniversary Collection

Available only in April and in limited quantities, this Ultimate Collection is packed with titles that are a must have for to anyone interested in Civil War family research. In addition to genealogy products this collection also has books on Civil War artifacts, historical perspectives and what life was like in that day and age. The Ultimate Civil War Anniversary Collection includes:

• Life in Civil War America
• Digital Issue: Family Tree Magazine May 2011
• Online Military Records Webinar
• US Military Records FTU class CD
• Civil War Diary Quilt book
• Family Tree Magazine‘s 2011 Civil War Desk Calendar
• Warman’s Civil War Collectibles
• The Everything Civil War Book, 2nd Edition

That’s a $254.88 value for only $79.99! GET IT BEFORE IT’S GONE

Expert Webinars

Family Tree University’s webinar recordings include a number of topics relevant to Civil War researchers. Each recording is about an hour long, with expert advice from genealogists and researchers:

• Georgia Genealogy Crash Course: Find Your Peach State Ancestors
• Online Military Records: Document Your Family’s Service
• Missouri Genealogy Crash Course: Find Your Show Me State Ancestors
• South Carolina Genealogy Crash Course: Find Your Palmetto State Ancestors

SEE ALL AVAILABLE WEBINARS

Life in Civil War America On-Demand Webinar

Author and historian Michael O. Varhola takes you back to Civil War, illuminating both the sweeping changes and cultural norms that shaped the everyday lives of soldiers and civilians during the war that divided the nation. WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR HERE

Learn More About the Civil War

These Family Tree Magazine articles will help you track down your Civil War-era ancestors. A sign denotes an article available to Family Tree Magazine Plus subscribers:

• Resource Roundup: Civil War Sesquicentennial Tools
• 10 Best Civil War Websites
• How to Order an Official Military Grave Marker
• Civil War Genealogy Toolkit
• A House Divided
• At Your Service: Military Research Guide
• National Archive’s Civil War Exhibit