Two major events occurred early this century that probably affected your families. One was "The Great War'' -- also known as World War I -- and the other was the Spanish Flu.

The latter, a pandemic disease in 1918-1920, affected 20 percent of the world's population, killing far more than the war did. It immobilized the armed forces, with more than 60 percent of the deaths in the U.S. Army in 1918 being attributed to the flu. Official estimates of flu deaths worldwide are 27 million. The total number of WWI deaths is estimated to be at least six million, but probably is higher.

Military records provide rich material for family histories, and are usually worth the effort to locate. If you have an ancestor who served, be sure to check at the county courthouse where he resided in about 1920, as WWI veterans were encouraged to file a copy of their discharge papers there.

Most state historical societies, archives, or libraries have information regarding WWI veterans who enlisted from their particular states. Most often found are casualty lists, "Gold Star'' lists, rolls of honor, discharge records, copies of Selective Service records, and regimental and unit histories. While no federal pensions were paid to these vets, some states issued what were called `bonuses,'' or paid claims, and they provided relief and issued loans.

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed. All males born between September 1873 and September 1900 (citizens and aliens alike) who were not already in the military service were required to register for the draft. During WWI there were three draft registrations, with about 24 million men registering. General information on the draft cards include full name, date and place of birth, race, citizenship, occupation, personal description and signature. Not all of the men who registered for the draft actually served in the military, and not all of men who served in the military registered for the draft. The draft registration cards are at the National Archives in East Point, Ga., and are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.

In July 1973, a fire destroyed about 80 percent of the records of Army personnel discharged between November 1912 and January 1960 that were on file at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, and as a result many WWI records were lost. Therefore it is usually necessary to turn to other sources for information about these veterans.

The Great War: A Guide to the Service Records of All the World's Fighting Men and Volunteers, by Christina K. Schaefer, is a recently published 204-page book that provides a guide to WWI service records for soldiers of all countries that participated in this conflict.

The first part of the book provides background on the organization of the military in 1914, the order of battle, how to use the records and a general timeline of events, 1914-18. The second part concentrates on the combatants, describing each country's armed forces, conscription history, and military and naval records, and their location. Those that have been microfilmed are available through the Family History Library system and are identified by roll number.

"The Great War'' is available ($26 postpaid) from the publisher, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202- 3897; (800) 296-6687.

(c) 1998, Los Angeles Times Syndicate