Every state has their own way of doing things. What is key is that you have the date you were first issued license and details of the previous & current licenses from the state. Most states don't provide this info on the online abstract and hence your safest bet is to go to the DMV and get one.
Very true statement at least for Michigan. I had to send a special written request to Lansing, MI asking a letter stating when my first MI DL was issued and not the usual DMV printout which shows just a current DL information...