United States, Mexican War Pension Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of a card index to Mexican War pension files for the years 1887 to 1926. The collection is located at the National Archives. The soldiers served between 1846 and 1848. The records are a part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publication T317. The event date and place represent the earliest filing of either the veteran or widow.

For a list of records by surnames currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Record Content
The records usually contain the following:


 * Name of Soldier
 * Name of spouse (sometimes)
 * Rank
 * Date enlisted and discharged
 * Additional Services
 * Date of Filing
 * Class
 * Application Number
 * Certificate Number
 * File Number
 * Filing date

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


 * Name
 * Parish of residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about those in the list to what you already know about your own ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person.

If you did not find the person you were looking for, you may need to search the collection image by image. ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page. ⇒Select the "Surname Range, Volume Number" which takes you to the images

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

For tips about searching on-line collections, see the wiki article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

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. This information will often lead you to other records. For example:


 * The application or certificate number will lead you to the full pension record.
 * The enlistment date and branch of service will lead you to the military service record.
 * The service information may lead to a death or cemetery record.
 * The bounty land information may lead you to a land grant record.
 * The name and class of dependents can help you compile a family record.

Related Websites

 * National Archives Access to Military Service and Pension Records
 * Family Link Military Records Search

Related Wiki Articles
US Mexican War Pension Records

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. 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. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually. Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation: