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

Record Description
This Collection will include 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.

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

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.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content



 * 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 to Use the Record
To search for your ancestors in the index you will need to know their full names.

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒ Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒ Select the "Years of Service" category ⇒ Select the "Surname Range" category 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 which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s index entry use the information to locate the pension record. The pension record may give you new biographical details about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records.

You may also find these search tips helpful:


 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; 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.

If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Related Websites
Access to Military Service and Pension Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * US Military Pension Records

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.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Delaware Marriage Records,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 4 March 2011), entry for William Anderson and Elizabeth Baynard Henry, married 23 November 1913; citing marriage certificate no. 859; FHL microfilm 2,025,063; Delaware Bureau of Archives and Records Management, Dover.

“El Salvador Civil Registration,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 21 March 2011), entry for Jose Maria Antonio del Carmen, born 9 April 1880; citing La Libertad, San Juan Opico, Nacimientos 1879-1893, image 50; Ministerio Archivo Civil de la Alcaldia Municipal de San Salvador.