Looking for more information

NathanEichenberger1

I'm trying to connect the dots with my ancestors who migrated from the U.S. to Canada. I found this record of a John Richels stationed in Ft. Snelling. I need more records to confirm if this person is the right person or a different John Richels. Here's the link to the record United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-91D8-LSM?view=index : Jan 23, 2025), image 48 of 663; He's the fourth one down from 490. Some parts are difficult to read. I'm not sure what regiment he was in and I'm unsure where he was dishonorably discharged.

Jordan5L

Hello @NathanEichenberger1 !

I reviewed your record and here is what I interpreted: For regiment, "C.a." is likely Coast Artillery when I did a Google Search. This context was used primarily in older conflicts like WWI or prior to WWI. Then, I read "23 Rect. Co." Of course, "Co" is company. I'm not sure what "Rect" stands for. For his discharge, "Dis, without honor, Nov 7, 1910.." I interpret this as "dishonorable discharge."

Does someone else in our group have any ideas what "Rect" stands for? I can't find anything about "Rect" abbreviation. Does anyone else have any thoughts about this patron's identified record?

Thank you!

NathanEichenberger1

Thank you!

GFre

Hi @NathanEichenberger1.

Looking at the 'Where Born' column, it says this John Richels was born in Plymouth County, Iowa. He was 23 and 5 months at the time of enlistment (October 6, 1910), or born about April or May of 1887. I'm wondering if this John is the right one:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G96B-XPD

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117937201/john_richels

That's not the person you're looking for, right?

Since your John Richels went to Canada, those census records should have an immigration date to look for. If it's before 1910, that will also help figure this out. For instance, if this is the correct John, he immigrated a few years earlier, in 1907 (written in column 15).

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DCRS-LVS?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AKMP8-3DV&action=view&cc=1529118

NathanEichenberger1

Hi @GFre.

The top John Richels isn't the one I'm looking for, but of person of interest since Catharina Olberding was found in other records. I was reading background information on Canadian Emmigration and Immigration and the borders were fluid in traveling back and forth and there wouldn't be naturalization records. I also noticed that the family group above is George Taphorn. I believe they are connected as are some Taphorns associated with Richels, but I don't remember how.

GFre

@NathanEichenberger1

I do believe the US military records belong to the first John, and not the one who immigrated to Canada. However, if the second John was who you were looking for, it looks like he was later buried in Saint-Gregor, Saskatchewan, and so these records may be of interest to you:

https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text/results?count=20&q.anyPlace=Canada&q.fullName=%22John%20Richels%22&c.recordPlace1=on&f.recordPlace0=3&c.recordPlace2=on&f.recordPlace1=3%2CSaskatchewan

Particularly this one which mentions Iowa: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G933-N99K-X?view=fullText&keywords=Richels%2CCanada&groupId=TH-1961-29806-22077-45

NathanEichenberger1

@GFre thank you. I did find these records and put them in the notes section on Ancestry to reference for later. I still can't find what Rect means in military records.

GFre

@NathanEichenberger1 From this page, it looks like it means "recruit":

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States,_Registers_of_Enlistment_in_the_U.S.Army-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records

Jordan5L

Thank you @GFre for your additional help. Were either of you able to ascertain what "Rect" stands for on his record? I'm curious…

GFre

Hi @Jordan5L. Sorry, I should have specified what I was referring to. I believe that "Rect" means "recruit". For whatever reason, the link is being very fussy to work. I'll copy some of the text in case the link is empty again.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States%2C_Registers_of_Enlistment_in_the_U.S._Army_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records

United States, Registers of Enlistment in the U.S. Army - FamilySearch Historical Records

The collection consists of registers and index of men that enlisted in the United States Army between 1798 and 1914. The Regular Army is comprised of career soldiers and is maintained through peacetime.

[…]

Key to Abbreviations (See Remarks Column)

• D.R. Descriptive Rolls
• Hospl. Ret. Hospital Return
• I.R. Inspection Return
• M.R. Muster Roll
• Mo. Ret. Monthly Return
• O.B. Order Book
• Ord. Order
• Pri. or Pvt. Private
• Rect. or Rct. Recruit
• Regtl. Regimental
• R.R. Recruiting Return
• S.A. I.R. Semi-annual Inspection Return
• S.A.M.R. Semi-annual Muster Roll
• “See Pension Case” is added to records, part or whole of which, were copied at the Pension Office
• Additional abbreviations will be found if Gardner’s Dictionary of the United States Army. See related digital books in this article

NathanEichenberger1

@GFre thanks so much!

GFre

@NathanEichenberger1 Happy to help! :)

NathanEichenberger1

@GFre Can you read what it says after the date he was discharged? It looks like he was discharged at Jeff somewhere. It looks like Oklahoma.

GFre

@NathanEichenberger1, I read it as Jefferson Barracks, Missouri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Barracks_Military_Post

NathanEichenberger1

@GFre thanks!

Jordan5L

Thank you again, @GFre !!!