Rock Island Arsenal Museum
FAQ
| Q: I have an ancestor that was
imprisoned at the Rock Island Prison Barracks during the Civil War. Does your museum have
any records for those prisoners? A. Yes and No. 1.
The surviving records of the Rock Island Prison Barracks are located at the
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. 3. When a Confederate soldier was imprisoned at the
Rock Island Prison Barracks, an individual entry was made in the prison ledger. Eventually, this became a two-volume set. The first volume is missing. The second volume survives. a. Because entries were made chronologically into the
prison ledger, an index for surnames was created. This
index is only a raw sort; that is, all the names starting with a certain letter of the
alphabet are listed together. The entries in
this index are not in complete alphabetical order. b. If a prisoner would have been listed in the first
volume of the prison ledger, his name, entry number, and barracks number appears in the
index. c. When legible, the prison ledger entry provides the
following information: name of prisoner; rank; regiment; company; where captured; date of
capture; date of arrival at Rock Island Prison Barracks; and date of death (if
applicable). 4. For those Confederate soldiers who died while
imprisoned, a death register was maintained. This
register survives. It includes name of
prisoner; rank; regiment; company; where captured; date of capture; date of arrival at
Rock Island Prison Barracks; date of death; cause of death; and grave number. 7.
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum staff and volunteers will check the records
for individual Confederate soldiers upon request. Our
job is easier, if you can provide what information you know about a soldier. For example, complete name (including middle name)
and what company, regiment, and state they fought with are most helpful. There were many soldiers with similar names at the
prison. |
| Q: I have acquired a serial number ###### firearm. Can you tell me specific information for this serial number? A. No, we do not have the records for specific information on serial numbered firearms or edged weapons. We may be able to tell you general information regarding a manufacturer date, depending on the piece in question. For more specific information on firearms only you will want to see the following information below: 1. The U.S. Army Materiel Command (USAMC) Logistics Support Activity at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, can trace the history of ownership of military weapons at the organizational level. Records do not include the individual who was issued the weapon. Commander ORMilitary Weapon Records 1.
The Director for Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) sales records that were
originally located at the Sales and Donations Section, Materiel Management Directorate,
U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal,
Rock Island, Illinois, have been transferred to the Donations Group, U.S. Army
Tank-automotive and Armament Command (TACOM), Warren, Michigan. 2.
If the sales record of your weapon exists, it would be located with these
records. 3.
To request a search of the sales record, please submit a request in writing
to:
U.S. Army
Tank-automotive and Armament Command 4. Include in your correspondence the model number and serial number of the weapon |
| Q: Can you tell me how much something
is worth? A. NO!! The Rock Island Arsenal Museum staff members may not provide appraisals of the monetary value of materials offered as gifts or brought in for identification. The reason is two-fold. The Internal Revenue Service considers museums to be “interested parties”, disqualified from offering valuation of such objects. The second reason is it is stated in Army Regulation 870-20 11 Jan 1999, 2-5 section p “Appraisals of historical artifacts and works of art accepted into the Army Historical Collection will not be made by museum personnel. Appraisals for tax purposes are the responsibility of the donor in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines.” Donors wishing to have objects appraised in order to make gifts to institutions such as our museum must seek the services of a professional appraiser. The cost of such appraisals will be tax deductible provided the gift matches the purpose of the qualifying charitable institution. Appraisers can be obtained by checking the telephone directory or by contacting the Appraisers Association of America, Inc., 60 East 42nd St, Suite 2505, New York, New York 10165, (212) 867-9775. Their website is www.appraiserassoc.org. They will send a directory of members for a small fee. Two other sources are the National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America at www.naadaa.org and Art Dealer Association of America at www.artdealers.org If you have questions regarding the tax status of your gift, we recommend that you contact your personal tax advisor. If it is decided that you require a Form 8283 (Non-cash Charitable Contribution Appraisal Summary Form), the Museum will be pleased to confirm receipt of you gift, after a qualified appraiser has completed the form. |
| Q: My father received a Bronze Star
while in WWII. May I nominate him to be entered in the Court of Patriots? A. Yes if he is from Iowa or Illinois. The Court of Patriots is updated four times a year. Nominees do not have to provide proof of award and only the awards listed on the nomination form are eligible. Court
of Patriots v The
Court of Patriots was dedicated at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, on Flag Day, June 14,
1969. Military and civic leaders, and the
general public from Iowa and Illinois communities took part in the impressive ceremonies. v The Court of Patriots serves as the area’s focal point to commemorate those who have stood fast to defend this nation against its enemies. Court of Patriots Nomination Form (Required MS Word) |