Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes images of a census of Confederate veterans living in Alabama. Originals are located in the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama. Resident veterans of the Confederate army in Alabama were eligible for a state pension under certain conditions (see 1907 Code of Alabama, 1996, 2018 and 2020). Upon approval of the pension applications, the state auditor prepared an alphabetical record by county of all pensioners. Each probate judge received a copy of his county's pension record. Information provided in the 1907 series includes the pensioner's full name, address, birth date and place, rank and date of entry into military service, name and letter of company and regiment, and date and place of discharge or separation. Re-enlistment information is also given, if any.

The 1921 series is a questionnaire returned by Confederate pensioners concerning military and personal histories. Personal information reported on includes pensioner's name, place and date of birth, length of Alabama residency, wife's age and place of birth, marriage date and place, lists of living children, place of residency, and occupation. The 1921 series is arranged numerically and alphabetically by military unit, and then alphabetically by pensioner's name. Military units are filed in the following sequence: infantry, cavalry, navy, coast guard, marines, artillery, out-of-state commands. Researchers can determine a pensioner's military unit by referring to the Confederate Pension Applications, which are arranged alphabetically by pensioner's name. The records are arranged numerically and alphabetically by military unit, and then alphabetically by pensioner's name. Military units are filed in the following sequence:
 * Infantry
 * Cavalry
 * Navy
 * Coast Guard
 * Marines
 * Artillery
 * Out of state commands

The 1927 series was created when the state legislature, in considering changing pensioner classifications, needed to establish the birth date and marriage date of each confederate widow pensioner. The survey was conducted by the probate judge of each county. The record provides the veteran's name, the widow's name, her age and birth date and the marriage date. The record is arranged alphabetically by county, and then alphabetically by the name of the widow. This series is not complete.[https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/630229 Some of the returns are found in the Confederate Pension Applications. See the Family Search Catalog for microfilm numbers. ]

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

1907 Census
 * Pensioner’s full name
 * Address
 * Birth date and place
 * Rank
 * Date of entry in military service
 * Name and letter of company and regiment
 * Date and place of discharge or separation
 * Re-enlistment information

1921 census
 * Pensioner’s name
 * Birth date and place
 * Length of Alabama residency
 * Spouse’s age and place of birth
 * Marriage date and place
 * Lists of living children
 * Place of residency
 * Occupation

Widow’s 1927 Questionnaire
 * Veteran’s name
 * Widow’s name, age and birth date
 * Marriage date

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The birth date or the name of a child or spouse

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the County  or Military Unit Range and Year
 * 2) Select the Locality 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 in the census to find other records such as birth, christening, marriage, census, land and death records
 * Use the information to find additional family members
 * Search for the service or pension record for the individual who served in the military

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

 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Alabama.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * Beginning United States Civil War Research
 * Locating a Confederate Civil War Soldier (1861–1865)
 * Alabama Guided Research
 * Alabama Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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.