Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1871-1880. The images of approved claims from civilians seeking compensation for lost or destroyed property as a result of the Civil War. The collection is NARA publication M2062 Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims,1871-1880: Alabama and is from RG 217, Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury. It contains 828 approved applications arranged by county and then alphabetical by name.

Record Content
Information may differ between cases and may include any of the following:


 * Name of claimant
 * Description and value of property
 * Date of incident
 * Details of incident
 * Witnesses' names
 * Relationships
 * Place of incident
 * Residences
 * Document and recording dates
 * Occupations

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


 * Name of claimant
 * Identifying information such as residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection by image ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'County' category ⇒ Select the "Approved Claims (Name)" 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 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 residences to locate other records such as vital records, census, church, and land records.
 * Use the name and relationships to identify heirs and relatives.
 * Use the occupations listed to find other types of records, such as employment or military records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.
 * Witnesses in court cases may be close relatives.
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the claimant, this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have also had claims.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local historical and genealogical groups also compile indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Related Websites
Guide to Searching Southern Claims Commission Records

Related Wiki Articles
Southern Claims Commission

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.