How can I access Civil War and WWI military records?

Question:

How can I access Civil War and WWI military records?

I'm doing genealogy research and would like to find out if my relatives served in these wars. Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: go to this site, type in the name and behold.. you will find if your ancestor served in the Civil War [not 100% accurate, but pretty close]

http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html...

The state of Virginia has a database of confed. Disability claims... and pensions... you can start at this site if you are looking in Virginia... Each state is different... though...

http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/f/?func=file&f...

The National Archives is great to work with, but it is time consuming and they want the exact name on their form 180. I do not know if they will release WW1 data at this time, but as we are nearing 90 years sine that war... I would assume you might be in luck especially if it is a direct ancestor. You can dowload the form
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/militar...

Having both written and actually been to the Archives.. I would say going there is best.. if possible...

Here is one more site from the national Archives regarding MIlitary records and genealogy
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/researc...