Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of an index and images of a census of Confederate veterans living in Alabama for the years 1907 to 1927. 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.

The 1921 series is a questionnaire returned by Confederate pensioners concerning military and personal histories. 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.

Researchers can determine a pensioner's military unit by referring to the Confederate Pension Applications, which are arranged alphabetically by pensioner's name.

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 is arranged alphabetically by county, and then alphabetically by the name of the widow. This series is not complete. Some of the returns are found in the Confederate Pension Applications.

Record Content
Alabama Veteran’s 1907 census may contain the following information:


 * 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

Alabama Veteran’s 1921 census may contain the following information:


 * 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

Alabama Widow’s 1927 Questonnaire may contain the following information:


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

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


 * Veteran's name
 * Other identifying information such as the birth date and place and names of other family members

Search the Collection
To search by index: Fill in the requested information on the initial search pages. 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 browse by image: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "County or Military Unit Range and Year" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image 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. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the birth date and place to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate from the county.
 * Use the soldier's age and location of the military unit to find his family in census, church, and land records.
 * Use the death date and place to obtain a copy of the original death certificate from the county.
 * Use the Widow’s age to estimate birth date range of Veteran.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * 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.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for a different index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the records of nearby localities.

Related Websites

 * Civil War, Alabama - US GenWeb
 * Civil War Records - National Archives
 * Confederate Pension Records - National Archives
 * Confederate Military Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Alabama Online Genealogy Records
 * Alabama, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Alabama in the Civil War
 * Alabama Military Records

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation: