Although these records are referred to collectively as “Muster Rolls,” the documents actually comprise two, and sometimes three, separate and distinct records.

Muster Roll

The Muster Roll is an alphabetical listing that each ship or unit executes at the end of every quarter. It is a snapshot of the particular ship or unit with regard to who was assigned to the ship on the date of the muster. The data recorded on the Muster Roll are as follows:

Name
Service Number
Present Rating (or rank)
Date of Enlistment
Date First Received on Board

Report of Changes

The crew of any ship or unit is seldom static. During every quarter, not only does substantial turnover in personnel occur, but considerable change occurs, as well, in the status of the men who remain with a ship or unit. Such change is due to advancement, demotions, disciplinary cases, and even desertion. Hence, all ships and units execute a Report of Changes at the end of every month. Each report is a list of changes in personnel that occurred subsequent to the last Report of Changes. The data recorded on the Report of Changes are as follows:

Name
Service Number
Rating (or rank) at Date of Last Report
Date of Enlistment
Place of Enlistment
Branch of Service
Received, Transferred (type of change)
Date of Occurrence in Column 7
Vessel or Station from which Received, Transferred to, etc.

Passengers

Occasionally, the Navy provides passage to sailors en route to a new assignment. Sometimes, even civilian workers are sent on a US Naval vessel to another workplace in a new port. Passenger lists document all such activities and are compiled every quarter in a similar manner to a Muster Roll.

Site Links

Membership

More

Connect

Why the name Fold3?