United States, Old War Pension Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of a card index to pension case files located at the National Archives for service in the Regular Army, Navy or Marine Corps between 1783 - 1861 (Old Wars). This collection is part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publications T316. The event date and place represent the earliest filing of either the veteran or dependent.

Related Collection
 * Lists of Dependents of Veterans Who Served in the Old Wars, 1872–1927 NAID 2602498

See also Claire Prechtel-Kluskens For Love and Money: Pension Laws Affecting Widows of Military Veterans NGS Magazine 42 #1 (January-March 2016): 35-39 FS Library 973 D25ngs.

'''Copies of pension files are available from the National Archives. To request copies follow the instructions in the following link. Requesting Pre-WWI Service Records'''

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

Finding Aid
A finding aid for this collection is available at United States, National Archives, RG 15, Pension Applications, Service Between 1783-1861 (Old Wars)

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search for you will need to know:
 * The full name of your ancestor
 * The name of your ancestor's spouse
 * The names of your ancestor's children

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?

 * Add any new information to your records*Search for the full pension record
 * Search for the the military service record
 * Search for a death or cemetery record
 * Search for a bounty land grant record

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

 * 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
 * Even though names are searchable, alias names are grouped with both the given name and surname. This can be very confusing
 * 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

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States Research Tips and Strategies
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Old wars index to pension files, 1815-1926
 * Index to Indian War pension files, 1892-1926
 * Index to Mexican War pension files, 1887-1926
 * Craig Roberts Scott The lost pensions, settled accounts of the Act of 6 April 1836 Lovettsville, Virginia : Willow Bend Books, c1996 FS Library 973 973 M2sL
 * Virgil D. White, trans. Index to old wars pension files, 1815-1926 Waynesboro, Tennessee : National Historical Publishing, c1993 FS Library 973 M22wh 1993

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.

Estados Unidos, Índice de Pensão dos Veteranos de Guerra (Registros Históricos do FamilySear)