West Virginia, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The images of approved claims from civilians seeking compensation for lost or destroyed property as a result of the Civil War. The collection is NARA publication M1762 Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880:West Virginia and is from RG 217, Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury. The collection includes records from 1871 to 1880.

Record Content
The information varies by record. You may find any of the following:


 * Name of primary individual
 * Claim number
 * County of residence
 * Dates of supply or service
 * Amount of money claimed
 * Itemized supplies
 * Names of witnesses which may be close relatives or neighbors
 * Details of transactions
 * Date of claim or submission to Congress

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know


 * Name of the primary individual
 * County of residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the appropriate "County" ⇒ Select the appropriate "Approved Claims (Name)" which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example use the date and locality to search for census and church records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the primary individual, this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after 1900.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.
 * If you are unable to locate your ancestor check for variant spellings of the surnames. Be sure to also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.

Related Websites
St. Louis County Library

Related Wiki Articles
West Virginia

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.