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World War I draft registration cards (Florida), 1917-1919.
Amount:
39.00 microfilm reels
Medium Included:
Organization/Arrangement:
Alphabetical by county or city, then alphabetical by name. While the Florida rolls are arranged primarily by county, two cities are also listed: Jacksonville and Tampa.
Restrictions:
Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:
The Selective Service Act was passed on May 18, 1917. This act authorized the President to temporarily increase the military establishment of the United States. The Selective Service System, under the Provost Marshall General's Office (PMGO), was responsible for the process of selecting men for induction into military service. This included the initial registration to the actual delivery of men to military training camps. The Selective Service System was one of "supervised decentralization." Under the administration of the PMGO; it was the states, territories and the District of Columbia which managed the operation of drafting men for military service.
District boards were established by the President. The average district board had jurisdiction over approximately 30 local boards, each with an average registration of 5,000 men. The district boards had appellate jurisdiction over the decision of local boards in some claims and original jurisdiction in others.
Local draft boards were established for each county or similar subdivision in each state, and for each 30,000 persons in each city or county with a population over 30,000. These local boards were charged with the registration, determination of order and serial numbers, classification, call and entrainment of draftees.
During World War I there were three registrations. The first was on June 5, 1917, for all men between the ages of 21 and 31. The second was on June 5, 1918, for those who attained age 21 after June 5, 1917. The third registration was held on September 12, 1918, for men age 18 through 45.
The activities of the Selective Service System were rapidly curtailed after the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918. All local, district, and medical advisory boards were closed on March 31, 1919, and the last state headquarters closed on May 21, 1919.
Summary:
This microfilm publication contains World War I draft registration cards for Florida. The information on each registration card may differ somewhat; but the card will usually list name, permanent home address, age, date and place of birth, race, citizenship, civilian occupation, place of employment, nearest relative and the registrant's signature. The physical description includes height (tall/medium/short), build (slender, medium, stout), color of eyes, and color of hair. Some cards are typed, although most are handwritten. The format of the cards does vary slightly.
It is important to note that not all of the men who registered for the draft actually served in the military and not all men who served in the military registered for the draft. Furthermore, these are not military service records. The draft records end when an individual reports to the military training camp. These records contain no information about an individual's military service.
Finding Aids:
Microfilm listing available.
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Microfilm.
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Originals in custody of National Archives, Washington, D. C.
Associated Materials:
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History:
Publication Note:
General Note:
This materials received by the Florida State Archives are for Florida draft registrations only.
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
World War, 1914-1918 Florida World War, 1914-1918. Draft registration Florida Draft Florida
for detailed listing.