United States, Mexican War Pension Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What Is in the Collection?
The collection consists of a card index to Mexican War pension files for the years 1887 to 1926. Pensions were first granted to Mexican War veterans and widows based on the act of January 29, 1887. Eligibility requirement included 60 day service, or were actually engaged in battle, honorably discharged and at least 62 years of age. The act included widows who had no remarried. Veterans may also have received bounty land. The pension files are located at the National Archives. The soldiers served between 1846 and 1848. The records are a part of Record Group 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.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
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 Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor.
 * The place where your ancestor resided.
 * The approximate age of your ancestor.
 * The name of the soldier's spouse.
 * The names of other family members or associates.

Search by Name by visiting the Collection Page: 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.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page. ⇒Select the "Surname Range, Volume Number" 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.

With either search 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.

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

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor in the Mexican War Pension Index, 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.

I Found Who I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * 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.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.

Related Collection on Historical Records

 * Mormon Battalion Pension Files

Citing 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: