The descendants of Peter Rucker fought on both sides of the conflict which was, in terms of lives lost, the most costly in American history. The availability of military records facilitates genealogical research during this time period, and as the first photographed American war, those fortunate to have contemporary pictures of their soldier ancestors develop an intimacy with them not often felt for those of earlier time periods.
Those beginning their search for a Rucker who fought for the North or South would do well to start with Tracing Your Civil War Ancestor by Bertram Hawthorne Groene (Ballantine Books, 1973). If you already know the name of your ancestor and are looking for particulars of his service, try the online Civil War Soldiers and Sailors site. Nothing, however, compares to consulting the original microfilmed muster rolls in major libraries, or at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. There may be pension records which reveal fascinating details of your ancestor's service, and his social status in the post-war years.
Mr. Ron Payne of Falkville, Alabama, a member of The Rucker Family Society, has written a booklet entitled "A Listing of Ruckers Who Served in the Armed Forces of the Condederate States of America." While most Ruckers did, indeed, serve for the Confederacy, those with ancestors in the Federal forces will find their search easier, due to the more extensive records for U.S. soldiers.
