United States, Veterans Administration Master Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains a card index created by the Veterans Bureau (Veterans Administration) of veterans who served between World War I and earlier wars and who made (or whose heirs made) of benefits claims between 1917-1940. Additional information may be available at the National Archives at St. Louis. Additional indexed records will be published as they become available. The "Event Place" is the residence at the time of enlistment and the "Event Date" is the date of discharge. The military unit identified on the card is the first organization in which the veteran served.

 The following collections also known as the Veterans Administration Claim Files World War I Compensation Files Deceased Veterans Compensation Files are at the National Archives at St. Louis and are related to the master index


 * Deceased Veterans Claim Files (XC Files),10.1917-ca. 1945 NAID 23904754
 * Deceased Veterans Claim Files (XC Files), 10.1917-ca. 1949 NAID 12280123
 * Deceased Veterans Claim Files (XC Files), 10.1917-ca. 1955 NAID 26466267
 * Deceased Veterans Claims (XC Files), 10/1917-ca. 1955. NAID 28894631

 Additional Resources on World War I at the National Archives at St. Louis
 * World War I Records at the National Archives at St. Louis
 * Finding Your World War I Veteran at the National Archives at St. Louis
 * The Sick and the Dead. Veterans Administration Claim Files and World War I Burial Files
 * Theresa Fitzgerald. "Auxiliary Records of World War I Veterans." NGS Magazine 43 # 4 ( October-December 2017):50-55.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Information found in the collection are listed below:


 * Name of the veteran
 * Cross-reference to the beneficiary of the veteran
 * Rank
 * Military Unit and Branch of Service
 * Home address at the time of enlistment
 * Service number
 * Date of death
 * Date of birth
 * Date of enlistment
 * Date of discharge (Event Date)


 * C
 * K-Life Insurance
 * A-Adjusted Compensation (Bonus)
 * T-War Risk Insurance
 * R-Rehabilitation
 * Ct-WWI Certificate (issued with bonus)
 * I-Permanent Disability

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know: To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The the first military unit in which your ancestor served
 * The names of family members (heirs or beneficiaries)

View the Images
To view images in this collection go to the United States, Veterans Administration Master Index Digital Folder Number List article to determine the folder/film number for the images you want to see.

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?

 * Search for the family in the 1910 and 1920 census records. The 1930 census will also identify World War I veterans.
 * Search for the veteran's discharge certificate, statement of service card and published military unit or county history.
 * Your ancestor or relative may have joined a local post of the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * 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.
 * Contact the National Archives at St.Louis about additional information from this index card.

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
 * Search the military records at Fold3

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning United States World War I Research
 * 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.
 * Collection Citation: "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 14 January 2019. Citing NARA microfilm publication 76193916. St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985.