World War I Draft Registration

World War I Draft Registration

Under the Selective Service Law and Regulations in 1917 and 1918 all Michigan men were required to file a Selective Service Registration Card.

Three Draft Registrations Were Held:

First Registration: held June 5, 1917 (men born June 6, 1886 - June 5, 1896)

Second Registration: held June 5, 1918 (men born June 6, 1896 - June 5, 1897)

registered all men who had become 21 years of age since June 5, 1917, not previously registered or already in the military

Supplemental registration - August 24, 1918 (men born June 6, 1897 - August 24, 1897)
considered part of the second registration

registered all men who became 21 years of age since June 5, 1918, not previously registered or already in the military

Third Registration: held Sept. 12, 1918 (men born September 13, 1873 - September 12, 1900)

registered all men between the ages of 18 and 45 not previously registered or already in the military

Points to Remember:

the draft lists are a finding tool only, they are particularly good for researching males born between 1873 and 1900 and who lived in Isabella County, Michigan during the years 1917-1918
the lists for Isabella County are the published newspaper lists, the draft registration cards themselves contain the name, place of birth, birth date, parents and residence of the individual
microfilms of the actual lists are available through the Family History Library loan system
all men "of age" had to register, even the blind or otherwise disabled; registration was a requirement
registration for the draft does not mean that the individual actually served; exemptions were requested and the individual may not have passed the physical examination
if a man was already in the armed forces at the time of the draft he would not have been required to register for the draft
registration cards are held by the local draft board