What was/is a Muster Roll?
What were muster rolls?
Regimental musters, from the early 18th century onwards, were taken every month or quarter (frequency varied over the years) for pay and accounting purposes. They, along with pay lists, were effectively the main everyday service records kept by the army of men in active service.
What information do they contain?
Muster rolls and pay lists give the enlistment date, movements and discharge date of all soldiers in the British Army.
From 1868 to 1883 musters may also contain lists of 'men becoming non-effective', found at the end of each quarter (or the beginning for regiments stationed in India) which give a man's birthplace, along with his trade and date of death or discharge. However, these quarterly lists are not always present.
From about 1868 musters may also include Marriage Rolls giving details of children and wives occupying married quarters.
What do you need to conduct a search?
To trace a man's army career by way of the musters, you will have to know the name of his regiment.
Regimental musters, from the early 18th century onwards, were taken every month or quarter (frequency varied over the years) for pay and accounting purposes. They, along with pay lists, were effectively the main everyday service records kept by the army of men in active service.
What information do they contain?
Muster rolls and pay lists give the enlistment date, movements and discharge date of all soldiers in the British Army.
From 1868 to 1883 musters may also contain lists of 'men becoming non-effective', found at the end of each quarter (or the beginning for regiments stationed in India) which give a man's birthplace, along with his trade and date of death or discharge. However, these quarterly lists are not always present.
From about 1868 musters may also include Marriage Rolls giving details of children and wives occupying married quarters.
What do you need to conduct a search?
To trace a man's army career by way of the musters, you will have to know the name of his regiment.