🪖 WWI Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918): A Window into America’s Military Mobilization

📌 Explore World War I draft registration cards from 1917-1918, detailing the mobilization of over 24 million men in the U.S., including citizens and immigrants. Discover personal records, conscription history, and how the war shaped American society—perfect for genealogists, historians, and educators.

📜 World War I Draft Registration Cards: A Key to Understanding America’s Wartime Mobilization

🪖 The Significance of WWI Draft Registration Cards

The World War I Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918) are an invaluable historical resource that document the mass mobilization of American men during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century. These cards provide a detailed record of millions of men—including both U.S.-born citizens and immigrants—who registered for the draft under the Selective Service Act of 1917.

With over 24 million men (nearly 98% of those under 46) registering, these records serve as a vital tool for genealogists, historians, and educators seeking to understand the social, military, and immigration history of the era.

All men between 18 and 45 must register regardless of citizenship status or other factors. The Selective Service Act of 1917, passed by Congress on May 18, 1917, authorized the United States President to increase the armed forces through conscription. The Act directed the Provost Marshal General Office to select eligible men for military service. More than 24 million Americans (nearly 98 percent of the male population under 46) registered for the draft during 1917 and 1918. The GG Archives has curated World War 1 Draft Registration Cards examples below.

Front Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, Christian Gjenvik of Garfield, Minnesota dated 5 June 1917. Gjenvick-Gjønvik Family Archives. GGA Image ID # 18d94ee363

"12 Questions" WW1 Draft Registration - Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik

Note: Like many immigrants, Ludvig Gjønvik was trying out English Spellings of his Norwegian Name. This was one of the first transformations.

1. Name in full - given name, family name. Christian Gjenvik
   Age in years [This information is asked but it is not a numbered question] 25
2. Home address - #, street, city, state Route 4 Madision MInn
3. Date of birth - month, day, year January 11th 1892
4. Are you (1) a natural-born citizen, (2) a naturalized citizen, (3) an alien, (4) or have you declared your intention (specify which) Declarant
5. Where were you born? town, state, nation Trondhjem, Norway
6. If not a citizen, of what country are you a citizen or subject? Norway
7. What is your present trade, occupation, or office? Farm Labour [sic]
8. By whom employed? A. F. Flauck Where employed? Garfield, Lac Qui Parl, Minn
9. Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support (specify which)? No
10. Married or single (which)? Single Race (specify which)? Caucasion
11. What military service have you had? None Rank - branch - years - nation or state
12. Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No

I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.

signature  or mark of registrant /s/ Christian Gjønvik

[The following is printed across the lower left-hand triangular corner or the card:] If person is of African descent, cut off this corner.

The Number in the Upper Left-Hand Corner of the Draft Registration Card (548) is known as the "Red Ink" Serial Number. The draft was a lottery in which numbers written on pieces of paper (in red ink) were pulled from a bowl by the U.S. Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker. Every number represented one registrant from each local board who would be called in for examination and if accepted, would be inducted into service. The Order No. (5) was the order of registration, in this case, the fifth person to register. On the bottom left, the 21 CA marking indicated a white male, age 21, who was an alien at the time of registration.

Back Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, Christian Gjenvik of Garfield, Minnesota dated 5 June 1917. Gjenvick-Gjønvik Family Archives. GGA Image ID # 18d953a6f4

12 Questions - Side 2, Additional Information

• Tall, medium or short (specify which)? Short Slender, medium or stout (which)? Slender
• Color of eyes, Light Blue color of hair Light Bald? No
• Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled (specify)? No
  

Signature  of Registrar

Precinct, Garfield

city or county, Lac Qui Parl

State Minn

Date of registration June 5, 1917

On the back of the card it has stamped 22.1.11.A. These numbers and letters are codes for the following

1. The first number (22) represents the state, in this case, Minnesota
2. The second number (1) represents the District Board Number
3. The third number (11) represents the local board number
4. The Trailing Letter (either A, B, or C) correspondes with the First, Second, or Third draft registration.

Learn More About This Remarkable Man

🇳🇴 From Norway to America: The Inspiring Journey of Immigrant Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik

📌 Explore the remarkable immigration story of Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik, a Norwegian immigrant who overcame orphanhood, financial struggles, and war to build a new life in America. Perfect for historians, genealogists, educators, and students exploring early 20th-century immigration.

Copy of World War I Draft Registration Card for Ralph Daniel Secor of Momitawville, NY. The card information has been transcribed with responses by the registrant.

Front Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, Ralph Daniel Secor of Momitawville, NY dated 5 June 1917. GGA Image ID # 18d963c0c0

"12 Questions" WW1 Draft Registration - Ralph Daniel Secor

1. Name in full - given name, family name. Ralph Daniel Secor
   Age in years [This information is asked but it is not a numbered question] 26
2. Home address - #, street, city, state Momitawville NY
3. Date of birth - month, day, year Feb 13 1890
4. Are you (1) a natural-born citizen, (2) a naturalized citizen, (3) an alien, (4) or have you declared your intention (specify which) Natural Born
5. Where were you born? town, state, nation Momitawville NY USA
6. If not a citizen, of what country are you a citizen or subject?
7. What is your present trade, occupation, or office? Farmer
8. By whom employed? D. O. Secor Where employed? Momitawville NY
9. Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support (specify which)? No
10. Married or single (which)? Single Race (specify which)? Caucasian
11. What military service have you had? None Rank - branch - years - nation or state
12. Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No

signature  or mark of registrant /s/ R. D. Secor

[The following is printed across the lower left-hand triangular corner or the card:] If person is of African descent, cut off this corner.

Back Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, Ralph Daniel Secor of Momitawville, NY dated 5 June 1917. GGA Image ID # 18d9bb6803

12 Questions - Side 2, Additional Information

• Tall, medium or short (specify which)? Short Slender, medium or stout (which)? Medium
• Color of eyes, Light Brown color of hair Black bald? Slightly
• Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled (specify)? No
  

I certify that my answers are true, that the person registered has read his own answers, that I have witnessed his signature, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:

Age 1 yr younger than shown by date of birth as given

Signature  of Registrar
Precinct, 3 city or county, Orange state NY
Date of registration June 5, 1917

Front Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, LeRoy Amos Newville of Winnebago, Minnesota dated 12 September 1918. This was for the Third Draft Registration held on 12 September 1918 for men age 18 through 45. GGA Image ID # 18d9df00b9

WWI Registration Card - LeRoy Amos Newville, Faribault, Minnesota

1. First Name - Middle Name - Last Name . LeRoy Amos Newville
   
2. Home address - #, street, city, country state Winnebago, Faribault, Minnesota
3. Age in years 36
4. Date of birth - month, day, year March 5 1882
   RACE
5. White
6. Negro
7. Orienta
8. Indian Citizen
9. Indian Noncitizen
10. US Citizen Native Born
11. Naturalized
12. Citizen by Father's Naturalization Before Registrant's Majority
13. Alien Declarant
14. Alien Non-declarant
15. If not a citizen of the U.S. of what nation are you a citizen or subject?
16. PRESENT OCCUPATION Section Foreman
17. EMPLOYER's NAME C.M. &St. P. Ry. Co.
18. PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR BUSINESS Winnebago, Fairbault, Minnesota
    NEAREST RELATIVE
19. Name Beulah M. Newville
20. Address Winnebago, Minn.

I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED THE ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE

signature  or mark of registrant /s/ LeRoy Amos Newville

P.M.G.O. Form No. 1. (Red) C3-6171 (OVER)

Back Side, World War 1 Draft Registration Card, LeRoy Amos Newville of Winnebago, Minnesota dated 12 September 1918. This was for the Third Draft Registration held on 12 September 1918 for men age 18 through 45. GGA Image ID # 18d9f9e616

Reverse Side: DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT

HEIGHT

21. Tall
22. Medium
23. Short

BUILD

24. Slender
25. Medium
26. Stout
27. COLOR OF EYES Blue
28. COLOR OF HAIR Red
29. Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualifed? Slightly Bald
30. I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or has d read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mask, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows: Blank

Signature  of Registrar

Date of registration Sept. 12, 1918

Stamped

Local Board for the County of Faribault, State of Minnesota, Blue Earth, Minnesota

(The stamp of the Local Board having jurisdiction of the area in which the registrant has his permanent home shall be placed in this boz.) c3-6171 (OVER)

World War I Draft Registration Cards Repository

WWI Draft Registration Cards at National Archives and Records Administration, Southeast Region

The original cards, in excess of 24 million, were received at our facility a number of years ago. Upon their receipt, they were boxed and arranged by NARA employees. The original arrangement was by state, there under by county or draft board, and there under alphabetically by the registrant's last name. The cause for arrangement by draft board instead of county is due to the size of certain cities. For example, New York City had in excess of 180 boards, Chicago had over 80. As a result, we require a street address when searching for cards in most large cities.

The cards were later microfilmed by representatives of the Genealogical Society of Utah in the exact order they were originally arranged; each NARA regional facility has a copy of the microfilm for the states in the region that it serves. Any patron wishing to use microfilm will find the cards arranged exactly as they are in the box. The arrangement of the cards has never been changed.

M1509, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918

📌 Key Themes & Insights from WWI Draft Registration Cards

⚖️ The Selective Service Act of 1917: Conscripting a Nation

✔ Passed on May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act allowed the U.S. government to increase its armed forces through conscription.

✔ The Provost Marshal General’s Office managed the selection process, ensuring that eligible men—regardless of citizenship—registered for military service.

✔ Three draft registrations took place:

• June 5, 1917 (Men aged 21-31)
• June 5 & August 24, 1918 (Men turning 21 after the first registration)
• September 12, 1918 (Men aged 18-45)

🔹 Understanding this law helps contextualize how the U.S. built its armed forces for WWI and how immigrants were integrated into military service.

🛂 Immigrants & the Draft: The Path to Citizenship

✔ Many immigrants who had not yet naturalized were still required to register, offering them a unique pathway to U.S. citizenship.

✔ Immigrant registrants, like Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik, often experimented with anglicized spellings of their names, marking the early stages of their assimilation into American culture.

✔ For non-citizen registrants, their draft status could influence their citizenship application—service in the military often led to expedited naturalization.

🔹 For genealogists, these records provide critical information about an ancestor’s place of birth, residence, occupation, and naturalization status.

📜 Notable Draft Registration Cards & Their Significance

📑 Christian Gjenvik (Garfield, Minnesota) – June 5, 1917

✔ Key Details:

• Registered at age 25 as a farm laborer
• Declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen
• Listed Trondheim, Norway as his birthplace

✔ His card documents his transformation from Norwegian immigrant to American soldier, reflecting a common experience among foreign-born registrants.

🔹 This is an excellent example of how WWI draft records capture both military and immigration history.

📑 Ralph Daniel Secor (Momitawville, NY) – June 5, 1917

✔ Key Details:

• Registered at age 26 as a natural-born U.S. citizen
• Worked as a farmer, showcasing the impact of the draft on rural communities
• Single and not claiming an exemption, meaning he was fully available for service

🔹 This card represents the average American citizen’s experience during the draft, showing how young men from all backgrounds were called to serve.

📑 LeRoy Amos Newville (Winnebago, MN) – September 12, 1918

✔ Key Details:

• Registered at age 36 during the third draft registration
• Worked as a section foreman for the railroad—highlighting the war’s impact on the transportation industry
• Listed his wife as his nearest relative, demonstrating how married men still had to register

🔹 This card provides insight into the later phase of the draft when older men were included, showing how the war effort expanded over time.

📷 Noteworthy Images from This Page

📸 WWI Draft Registration Card (Front & Back) – Christian Gjenvik (1917)

A remarkable document showing how immigrants were recorded and processed for military service.

📸 WWI Draft Registration Card – Ralph Daniel Secor (1917)

A great example of a draft record for a natural-born citizen, highlighting rural enlistment patterns.

📸 WWI Draft Registration Card – LeRoy Amos Newville (1918)

A document from the third draft phase, showcasing how older men and industrial workers were included in wartime conscription.

📚 Why This Page Matters for Historians, Genealogists & Educators

📖 For Military & Social Historians

✔ Provides a primary source for studying the U.S. draft system and mobilization efforts during WWI.

✔ Reveals the demographics of those drafted, from young farm laborers to middle-aged railroad workers.

✔ Illustrates the role of immigrants in the war effort, shaping discussions on citizenship and national identity.

🕵️ For Genealogists & Family Researchers

✔ Contains key personal details—birthplace, occupation, residence, and physical description—making it an essential genealogical tool.

✔ Helps track name changes and naturalization status for immigrant ancestors.

✔ A great way to confirm family connections and military service during WWI.

📚 For Teachers & Students

✔ A powerful tool for teaching WWI history through real-life records and personal narratives.

✔ Encourages document analysis skills by interpreting official draft records and their historical context.

✔ Great for discussions on civil duty, citizenship, and the impact of war on different communities.

🔍 Final Thoughts: Why This Collection is a Historical Treasure

The World War I Draft Registration Cards are more than just military documents—they are a powerful link to the past, capturing the lives of millions of men who answered the call to serve.

🔹 For genealogists, they offer personal details that help piece together family histories.

🔹 For historians, they illustrate the impact of WWI on American society, immigration, and citizenship.

🔹 For educators and students, they provide a compelling way to engage with primary sources and learn about wartime conscription.

Whether you’re researching an ancestor, studying military history, or exploring the immigrant experience during World War I, these draft registration cards serve as a crucial resource in understanding the personal and national stories that shaped a generation. 📜🇺🇸