fold 3

Why is it called Fold3?

The Fold3 name comes from a traditional flag folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans who served in defense of their country and to maintain peace throughout the world.

About Fold3

Fold3 Library Edition by Ancestry provides convenient access to U.S. and international military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. This continually-growing collection contains nearly 600 million records from world class archives, many of which are exclusively available on Fold3. With content from the American Revolutionary War onward, Fold3 Library Edition is an invaluable research resource for historians, genealogists, researchers, military enthusiasts, veterans and their families, teachers, and battle reenactors. 

Find diverse content. Users will find the Fold3 Library Edition to be a visual, instantly engaging, easy-to-use resource that they’ll want to visit again and again. Authentic content comes from sources you trust, many of which are exclusive to Fold3: 

  • U.S. National Archives & Records Administration 

  • Center for Research Libraries 

  • Allen County Public Library 

  • Harris County Archives 

  • Cuyahoga County Archives 

  • South Carolina Archives 

  • Pennsylvania Archives 

  • And more 

At the same time, books, records, directories, diaries and lists from the U.K. National Archives offer Commonwealth records and other international perspectives for researchers. New content is continually added to Fold3 Library Edition, so users can find the most timely information about the people in their lives whose military service distinguishes them.