Caveat for WWI Draft Regiistrations
Extensive use of this resource has proven that one must be cautious about the birth date provided on these cards.Many times the birth year is one year off for registrants.It appears that most of the time the registrant is not the person completing the form, he only signs it, if he can write.
Several times I have other sources which give a birth date one year earlier than what appears on the card.First a little back ground and then a scenario.
Back ground:During World War I there were three registrations.
The first, on June 5, 1917, was for all men between the ages of 21 and 31.
The second, on June 5, 1918, registered those who attained age 21 after June 5, 1917. (A supplemental registration was held on August 24, 1918, for those becoming 21 years old after June 5, 1918.This was included in the second registration.)
The third registration was held on September 12, 1918, for men age 18 through 45.
Scenario for Homer Smith, b. 5 Aug 1891, completing a card for the first draft registration on 17 Jun 1917, with the registrar asking questions and completing the form:
Registrar:Name?
Registrant:Homer Smith
Registrar:Age?
Registrant:25
Registrar:Birthday?
Registrant:August 5(note he does not state the year)
Registrar:Address?
Registrant:652 12th St, Kansas City, MO
Registrar continues with the rest of the form.
Imagine at some point the registrar does mental or pencil calculations to arrive at the birth year of 1892, (1917 – 25 = 1892) which he then enters along with the birthday of August 5.
This scenario can also be applied to the other registrations for an applicant with other dates.
For myself I have found this scenario to be the likely cause for birth years that were a year later than what other sources indicated.