Carol, I have also read the old newspapers with the listings of battle casualties. Extracts for a few of these newspaper reports can be read at http://newspaperabstracts.com/ select United States, New York search "war news" Also, the officer in charge of the unit sent a condolence note to the family. This happened when my ancestor John O'Neill, a private serving in the 49th NYVI, was killed at Spotsylvania Court House Virginia May 10, 1864. The 1st Lieutenant, David Lambert, sent a handwritten note dated May 20th to the widow. The note is now stored in the pension file at the National Archives. My ancestor a farmer enlisted in Jan 1864 and was killed 4 months later. I imagine these notes were typically more detailed depending upon how long the soldier had served with the unit. Regards, Sheila Lofft Strickland Regina W. Daly wrote: >Families usually found out about the death of a loved >one through the newspapers, both national and local. >Regina Daly > >--- carol kammen <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > >>Dear All >> >> I have a feeling I should know the answer to this, >>but don't. >> How were families in upstate New York notified when >>loved >>ones in the Civil War were killed. >> I cannot imagine a soldier coming to the door; >>rather, I >>think it must have been a telegram. >> >> Could anyone tell me? >> >> with much appreciation >> >> Carol Kammen >> Tompkins County Historian >> >> >>