United States, Remarried Widows Index to Pension Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1887 to 1942.

This collection consists of two card indexes to widows who had applied for a pension renewal. The first covers service between1812-1860 and is NARA microfilm publication M1784. The second covers service in the Civil War and later and is NARA microfilm publication M1785. Both indexes are part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration. The files are located at the National Archives.

'''Copies of pension files are available from the National Archives. To request copies follow the instructions in the following link. Requesting Pre-WWI Service Records'''

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Pension
 * Name of claimant (person claiming pension)
 * Name of soldier
 * Military unit in which soldier served including rank, company and regiment
 * Application number
 * Date of filing
 * Remarks

How Do I Search This Collection?
To search for your ancestors it is helpful to know:
 * The full name of the soldier
 * The state and county where the soldier lived
 * The name of the soldier's spouse

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Years of Service
 * 2) Select Surname Range to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information found to locate additional military records
 * Use the information found to locate a marriage record
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify other relatives
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning War of 1812 Research
 * Beginning US Mexican War Research
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Beginning United States World War I Research
 * Finding a World War II (1939-1945) Veteran's Records
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.