2025 Military Research Special Interest Group
Where are those Military Databases
November 4, 2025
Stuart Murray, MRSIG coordinator, presented a program about finding your military ancestors using the online resources available today. Besides the usual resources like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage, he also talked about the National Archives, Cyndi’s List, FamilySearch and others. He acknowledges this is only a partial list and there is more coming available each day. Utilizing the online resources coupled with physical trips and documents can help you find your ancestors.
Between the Two World Wars
October 7, 2025
The AGS Military Special Interest Group presentation covers the period after WW1 to the beginning of WW2 (Europe). Veteran’s benefits and other economic issues are cover along with changes to Veteran laws created by Congress. The Bonus Army is discussed along with creation of the Veteran’s Bureau which evolves into the Veterans Administration we now know.
Spanish American War 1898: Origins, Impact, and Legacy
September 2, 2025
The Spanish American war became a defining war for the United States in the International Arena. Stuart Murray, Military Research Coordinator, covers the events leading up to the war in 1898 including Cuban dissent, Yellow Journalism, the call for units to be formed and called up, New Mexico’s involvement, and the Rough Riders. Resources are discussed about where to find your Ancestor’s units and the Compiled Service Records what they contained.
1865 to 1890: Westward Ho
August 5, 2025
The Albuquerque Genealogical Society Military Research SIG program is about the period from 1865 to 1890, the changes within the lower 48 states, new territories and states being added, and how the west was changing for both the Native Americans and pioneers. The US Army was also changing from a standing army of one million soldiers in 1865 to that of only 26,000 by 1876. The Navy was transitioning from wooden warships to ironclads. Veterans Pensions were also relaxed by 1890 to where almost anyone could apply.
1850-1865
July 1, 2025
The Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s Military Research program for July 2025 covers the period of the United States from 1850 through the end of the Civil War 1865. Stuart Murray, host, covers the Compromise of 1850 and the events leading up to the Civil War. He also provides Resource Links where you might find your ancestors. He provides information on Enslavement, Civil War Prison camps and those resources where information is available including the National Park Service, the National Archives, Hein Foundation, and others.
United States Expansion: 1815-1850
June 3, 2025
The Albuquerque Genealogy Society Military Research program covered the United States expansion from 1815 up to 1850. Presented by Stuart Murray, Mil Res SIG Coordinator, topics included the feel good period, the Presidents who governed from 1815 from Madison (Monroe Doctrine) to Polk, and the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their homelands and the Trail of Tears. Also covered was Texas Independence leading up to and including the Mexican-American War, as well as the Manifest Destiny doctrine to connect the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.
War of 1812
May 6, 2025
The Military Research Special Interest Group of the The Albuquerque Genealogical Society presented “The War of 1812”. The presentation covered various points about how the War of 1812 came about, those historical figures who went on to higher office after the war, and genealogy links to resources for finding your ancestors.
Revolution and Early America 1775-1812
April 1, 2025
The Albuquerque Genealogical Society Military Research SIG April presentation is about the Revolution and Early America from 1775 to 1812. Stuart Murray, moderator, describes the events leading up to the issuance of the 1776 Declaration of Independence and major events during the war. He also describes how the early United States grew during this time and conflicts. Resources for researching both Patriot and Loyalist ancestors are provided.
Colonial Wars 1600-1800
March 4, 2025
The Albuquerque Genealogical Society Military Research Group met to discuss the Colonial Wars from 1600 to 1800. Moderator Stuart Murray covered several of the conflicts between the colonists and the Indigenous Tribes along with their alignments to the global powers at the time. Also included is a brief overview of how to find your ancestors without the internet.