United States Mormon Battalion Pension Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This index is based on pension applications for service performed during 1846-1848.

Record Description
This index corresponds to the approximately 370 pension applications relating to the Mormon Battalion. The records are arranged by the name of the veteran, but are also searchable by the claimant’s name.

Record Content
Helpful genealogical facts included in the index are:


 * Veterans full name
 * Claimant’s full name
 * Footnote and NARA reference identifications

How to Use the Record
Use the index to find the pension files of persons who served in the Mormon Battalion. Search for any alternate names your ancestor might have used, such as a nickname or alias. The index includes names of the veterans and the names of those applying for the pension. If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, try searching for names of other dependents or relatives who may have been the seeking the pension. Pension files can often provide information about relationships, places of residence, and important events in the veteran’s life that can lead to additional records.

Record History
In July 1846 over five hundred Mormon men gathered at Council Bluffs, Iowa to join the U.S. Army in the Mexican American War. Most of the soldiers’ enlistments ended after one year, but several continued on for another eight months. Pensions were sought by the veterans themselves and by widows or other dependents.

Why this Record Was Created
This index was created to provide easier access to the Mormon Battalion pension applications.

Record Reliability
The information in this index is quite reliable. However, keep in mind that it still may contain alternate spellings or misinterpretations.

Known Issues with This Collection
There are multiple search results for each name, i.e. Albert Smith has 61 results Each search result for the same name has a different document attached to it; i.e., the first search result to Albert Smith is linked to the first document in the pension file; the second occurrence of the search result is linked to the second document in the pension, and so forth. The United States, Mormon Battalion Pension Applications, 1846-1923 collection in Historical records was created in partnership with footnote.com. The free indexes are available on www.familysearch.org and the images can be found at footnote.com for a minimal charge. They can also be viewed at FamilySearch centers without charge.

There are two ways for viewing images at Footnote. 1. Use the right arrow key to access the different documents attached to the same name. Example: There are 61 entries for Albert Smith - which means there are 61 separate documents. 2. In Footnote viewer click on the name of the veteran searched. The next screen on the right-hand side shows thumbnails of the all the document for that name.

Related Web Sites
Mormon Battalion Association For a brief history of the Battalion written by Brigham Young University professor, Susan Easton Black, visit: http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONBATTALION.html

Related Wiki Articles
Utah Military Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also 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: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"United States Mormon Battalion Pension Applicatons, 1846-1923." index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org): accessed 8 April 2011. entry for Elijah Thomas; citing Pension Appilcations, NARA publication number T1196, roll number 19; National Archives and Records Aministration, Washington, D.C.

Sources of Information for This Collection
“Mormon Battalion Pension Applications,” database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org); from National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. “Selected Pension Application Files Relation to the Mormon Battalion, Mexican War, 1846-1848,” NARA T1196. Digital copies from Footnote.com, FHL microfilm, 21 rolls, Family History Library Salt Lake City, Utah.