WWI Draft Card of Max Augustus LINN

Six weeks after the United States declared war on Germany  on 6 April 1917, all men in the U.S. were required by law to register according to the ‘Selective Service Act’ passed by Congress May 18th to build up it’s military.   There were three  separate registrations:

1st – 5 June 1917 for men age 21 to 31 who were born between 6 June 1886 and 5 June 1896

2nd – 5 June 1918 for men who turned 21 since the first registration or otherwise did not register

3rd – 12 Sept 1918 for men age 18 – 21 and 31 – 45

Max registered in the 2nd group since his birthday came after the cut off date for the 1st registration.  It is estimated that  24 million men in the U.S. completed a World War I registration card which accounted for about 98% of the men under the age of 46.

There are several bits of information that can be gleaned from this card:

Max Augustus LINN 1896-1952

• Proof of Max’s birth date and place
• Residence where Max lived
• His closest family member  which was his wife Eula Mae HOLDER
• Where he worked (he was a barber)

Seeing his signature, ‘Max A. Linn” helps personalize this kindred man.

This is what Crew Street in Atlanta looks like today.