The Great War: June 11, 1917

The first federal registration day for the draft, which involved men between the ages of 21 and 30, took place on June 5, 1917. The following week, June 11, 1917, was the first day of the State Military Census in New York, which required men and women between the ages of 16 and 51 to enroll. An item on the front page of the Hudson Evening Register for that day explained the two-step process.

This was the first day of the State Military Census, and many persons, both sexes, between the ages of 16 and 51, had enrolled in Columbia county by 3 o'clock this afternoon. The inclement weather kept many away and the registration was not as large as it was expected it would be on the first day.

In this city to-day, tomorrow and Wednesday the distribution of blanks is made at the various residences. The enumerator who leaves these blanks asks how many persons between the proclaimed ages reside therein. These names are taken, and a blank left for each person between 16 and 51 to fill out.

The person getting the blank must fill it out with ink, Miss Catherine Murphy, census director for Hudson, stated this afternoon. Having filled out the blank the person enrolling must take it as quickly as convenient to the depot in the district in which he or she resides.

It is essential that the person enrolling take the blank to the depot PERSONALLY. Having arrived at the depot he or she will sign the blank in the presence of an official enumerator. This being done he or she will get a certificate showing that he or she has duly complied with the Governor's proclamation. . . .

Should a person within the required age fail to get a blank, it is his or her duty to register just the same. This can be done by going to the depot in his or her district. It was noticeable to-day that many persons, men and women, were going personally to the depots this afternoon to fill out their blanks.

The paper also ran on the front page a list of the depots in Hudson where people were to go to complete their enrollment.

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