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Pennsylvania Civil War
Conscientious Objectors Database



The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania has compiled a database of names of Pennsylvania men who refused military service during the American Civil War for reasons of conscience - generally religious convictions. Volunteers transcribed these entries from the 'Register of Aliens & Persons Having Conscientious Scruples Against Bearing Arms, 1862,' (entry #3168); Records of State and District Offices, 1861-72, Pennsylvania (Part IV), Western Division; Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, Record Group 110; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

This register is an index to original requests for exemption on file as "Conscientious Objector Depositions, 1862" (Series #19.15); Records of the Adjutant General; Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Record Group 19; Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA. Each one is signed by the man seeking exemption.

Pennsylvania Civil War Conscientious Objectors -- by surname (A-L)
Pennsylvania Civil War Conscientious Objectors -- by surname (M-Z)

Pennsylvania Civil War Conscientious Objectors -- by county (Adams-Juniata)
Pennsylvania Civil War Conscientious Objectors -- by county (Lancaster-York)


Copies of the "Conscientious Objector Depositions" may be obtained for a fee from the Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090


Background information
Further background information on Pennsylvania's Civil War Conscientious Objectors by Jonathan R. Stayer, Head, Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives



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