Aug. 18, 2006

Mackinac Island, Mich. — Is there a Fort Mackinac soldier in your family history? A new electronic resource located in the fort’s Post Headquarters can help you answer that question in a matter of seconds.

“Soldiers of Fort Mackinac ” is a custom-designed database that contains information on soldiers who served at this military installation during the 99 years of American occupation (1796 to 1895). Visitors can step up to a computer monitor and search the database by typing in a last name. If the search is successful, a record will appear listing such particulars as a soldier’s birth date, birthplace, physical description, marital status and civilian occupation, as well as military occupation, dates of service at Fort Mackinac and rank information. Visitors who want a printout of one or more records may contact the island office of Mackinac State Historic Parks at (906) 847-3328.

Approximately 1,000 soldiers were included in the database when it debuted, with more names to be added as additional records are obtained. “Our primary source of information was a National Archives’ list called the ‘Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914,’” noted Mackinac Parks Director Phil Porter, “which covers everyone who enlisted in the U.S. Army in the 19^th century. That combined with unit muster rolls helped us flesh out the files which are now accessible.”

The new resource was developed as a memorial to Frank M. Fitzgerald, who served as a Fort Mackinac soldier-interpreter from 1975 to 1980. Fitzgerald later became an attorney, a state representative, a state insurance commissioner and a state financial and insurance services commissioner before passing away in 2004. His mother maintains a connection to Mackinac Island as a cottager on the East Bluff.

“Frank loved the history of Mackinac Island and Fort Mackinac,” noted Porter. “This database is just the sort of thing he would have enjoyed.” Funds for its development and installation came from several sources, including Fitzgerald’s family and friends.

The database may be accessed during Fort Mackinac’s operating hours: from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week until season’s close on Oct. 8.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. MSHP sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitor information may be obtained by phone at (231) 436-4100 or on the Web at www.MackinacParks.com.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).