Fold3, by Ancestry, is a military history database that collects records, photos, and stories from millions of military personnel. You can search the database by name, military branch, place, date, conflict, and more. Fold3 is accessible both in-library and from any personal device in browser.
Accessing Fold3
Fold3 is accessible through the Digital Library (within categories for genealogy and history) or through this direct link. If prompted, log in using your library card and pin. Note: Library computers/wifi may not require a library card number for access.
Using Fold3
Use the search bar on the Main page to search by keyword (veteran name, date, etc.), or select one of the topics on the page. Note: Some features require an Ancestry account. View the Accounts selection below for more information.
The sidebar (left navigation bar) provides options to refine your search further by adding a Date, Place, or choosing one of the quick filter options such as Conflict, Publication, etc.
Search & Browse toggle: You can switch between the Search results page and the Browse page using the toggle button in the top right of the Search page. Browse allows you to search for and filter by publications. In the Browse page, the sidebar provides options to limit the results, similar to Search as described above.
Featured collections
Access collections featured by Fold3 on the main page or by moving your mouse over the Featured button and selecting a collection from the dropdown menu.
The Featured collection page provides a search box to search within the collection. It also offers tabs for an overview of resources, Publications and a description of the collection or event. The right sidebar may provide related collections. Explore the page for more information and opportunities to explore the Fold3 resources for this collection.
Using Records
Fold3 allows you to download, share, and save records from its collection, such as images and documents.
Click on an item in the results list or featured collection to view the item record (image below of a publication).
The item record page includes details about the original publication, source of information, access similar publications, or select records to view.
Overview tab: Click Continue Reading below the item title to view more information about this document.
Browse tab: Each vertical menu will narrow to another menu to its right as an immediate filter. Type a word or specific phrase to quickly narrow the menu's list, or scroll down to find a desired selection. Each entry in the list will include its name/title and a quantity. E.g., 1st Battalion Heavy Artillery 1K+, which reflects more than 1,000 items for the 1st Cavalry unit.
Viewing a Record
While viewing a record, explore the screen for the following features and more. Click the info button (i with a circle around it) to view the item's information in the left navigation.
- Top navigation bar
- Click the menu icon (three lines) to show or hide the Fold3 header bar.
- Search within the image/document. Note: Typing in the box may pop-out the left navigation bar. The text in the search box will be highlighted in the Information area (left navigation) and image/document as available.
- Actions button: to edit image (if available), print, connect to a memorial or connect to a subject. Some features may require registration within Fold3 for a personal account.
- Share button: link to the file, Facebook or X (Twitter).
- Save to Ancestry. Free accounts in Ancestry are available and are not affiliated with library resources. Remember to use the Fold3 link from the library website to access our content.
- Information / Left navigation bar: Click the information icon (i with a circle around it) view the item's information in the left navigation. Information may include
- Image/Document information
- Publication information (including the source, content partner, language, etc)
- Contributions. Existing annotations will appear. Personal Ancestry account required to use the Annotate feature.
- Connections: Connect to a memorial or Connect to a subject. Personal Ancestry account required to use these features.
- Bottom information box.
- Left/right arrows. Navigate through multiple pages or images in a record or record set.
- Item record name. Browse the collection where this item appears.
- Multiple pages. View all pages in this item if it is in a set, such as multiple pages in a personnel diary.
- Information icon (i with a circle around it). View the item's information in the left navigation.
- Right menu icons
- + Zoom in / Increase image size.
- - Zoom out / Decrease image size.
- Lighter/Darker. Adjust brightness, contrast or invert light/dark (such as viewing a film negative).
- Rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise. Click four times to return to original position.
- Full screen. Shows the image/document at the largest size for your screen. Tap the ESC key on the keyboard to escape this view and return to the item record view.
- See keyboard shortcuts. Provided here for quick reference:
- Next Page: CTRL right arrow
- Previous Page: CTRL left arrow
- Zoom In: +
- Zoom Out: -
- Print: CTRL P
- Download: CTRL S
- Find: CTRL F
- Annotate: CTRL A
- Connect a Memorial: CTRL M
- Connect a Subject: CTRL J
- Type ? to see this help box again.
Accounts
You may create an account with Fold3 while you are accessing the Sarasota County Libraries' Library Edition of the service. You may use the Member Login link on the main navigation bar of the site to log in to an existing Fold3 account, create a new account, or to sign in using your credentials for Ancestry if applicable.
You may create a Basic account for no charge, which allows you to create tags, memorials, and subjects, and also allows you to create annotations on records. These can be quickly accessed from the navigation bar at the top of the site (the following options replace the Member Login when you are logged in to your account).
For more information about the functions of Fold3, see the Help Center (the 
icon in the navigation bar, or at the bottom of the Fold3 main page under "Help").