Chart 1 - Family Research Group

Transcription

Military Service and Pension Records
CLASS HANDOUTS
Awards and Decorations
The issuance or replacement of medals, decorations, and awards should be directed
to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. It is recommended
that Standard Form (SF) 180 be used for such requests. You may obtain this form from
most local VA offices; or by calling Fax-on-Demand (301) 837-0990 from a fax machine,
using the handset. Follow the voice instructions, and request document number 2255.
There is no charge except for any long distance charges you may incur. You may
request SF-180 in writing from The National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page
Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132. With computer access, you may download it from
the internet:
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/standard_form_180.pdf
Do not use the addresses on page 2 of SF-180 for awards, decorations and medal
requests. Instead, use these addresses:
For Army, Air Force, or Army Air Corps
personnel, requests should be sent to:
National Personnel Records Center
Medals Section (NRPMA-M)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
For Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast
Guard personnel, requests should be
sent to:
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liaison Office Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
ORDERING SERVICE RECORDS ONLINE
A military veteran or the next of kin of a deceased veteran may now complete a request
for records online at: http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/.
NATF Forms are available by writing the National Archives and Records
Administration, Attn: NWCTB, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
20408-0001. There is a maximum of 5 of each form per request.
Order online at: http://www.archives.gov/global_pages/inquire_form.html.
You must register to use NARA’s online order service. There is no cost to register at
https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/.
© 2004 by Family Research Group and Carter L. Wilson III
PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
(208) 853-7567 or (800) 842-7479
Page 1
Other Military Records
PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
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PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
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PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
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Page 4
PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
(208) 853-7567 or (800) 842-7479
Page 5
Confederate Pension resources by state:
ALABAMA
Alabama Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Telephone: (334) 242-4363
Searchable databases from the Alabama Department of Archives and History
http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/military.html#CivilWar
ARKANSAS
Allen, Desmond Walls. Index to Confederate Pension Applications (Conway, Ark.: Arkansas
Research, 1991).
Ingmire, Frances Terry. Arkansas Confederate Veterans and Widows Pensions Applications (St.
Louis, MO: F.T. Ingmire, 1985).
Arkansas History Commission
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-6900
Arkansas History Commission http://www.ark-ives.com/
The Arkansas Confederate Home database
http://arkansashistory.arkansas.com/resource_types/military_records/
Request a Form for Photocopies of Arkansas Confederate Pensions http://www.arkives.com/selected_materials/pdfs/F-conpen.pdf
FLORIDA
White, Virgil. Register of Florida CSA Pension Applications (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical
Publishing Co., 1989).
Florida State Archives
R. A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahasse, FL 32399-0250
Telephone: (850) 487-2073
Florida State Archives http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/fsa.html
Florida Confederate Pension Application Files http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/Pensionfiles.html
GEORGIA
White, Virgil D. Index to Georgia Civil War Confederate Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National
Historical Publishing Co., 1996).
Georgia Department of Archives and History
Ben W. Fortson Jr. Archives and Records Building
330 Capitol Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-2393
PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
(208) 853-7567 or (800) 842-7479
Page 6
Georgia Department of Archives and History Civil War Resources
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/rs/cws.htm
Index to Georgia Confederate Pension Applications
http://docuweb.gsu.edu/scripts/webmain.dll?Anonymous
KENTUCKY
Simpson, Alicia. Index of Confederate Pension Applications, Commonwealth of Kentucky (Frankfort,
KY: Division of Archives and Records Management, Department of Library and Archives, 1978).
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Research Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Telephone: (502) 564-8704
Researching Your Civil War Ancestors (Kentucky)
http://www.kdla.ky.gov/resources/KYCivilWarResearch3.htm
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Archives
3851 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2137
Telephone: (504) 922-1208
Louisiana State Archives
http://www.sec.state.la.us/archives/archives/archives-index.htm
Louisiana Confederate Pension Applications Index Database
http://www.sec.state.la.us/archives/gen/cpa-index.htm
MISSISSIPPI
Wiltshire, Betty C. Mississippi Confederate Pension Applications (Carrollton, MS: Pioneer Publishing
Co., 1994).
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
P.O. Box 571
Jackson, MS 39205
Telephone: (601) 359-6876
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
http://www.mdah.state.ms.us/arlib/contents/arlib_refrules.html
MISSOURI
Missouri State Archives
600 W. Main P.O. Box 1747
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Telephone: (573) 751-3280
Missouri State Archives http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/
Missouri's Union Provost Marshal Papers: 1861-1866 http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/provost/
PO Box 140506 • Boise ID 83714-0506
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Page 7
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina State Archives
Public Services Branch
4614 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4614
Telephone: (919) 733-7305
North Carolina State Archives http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/archives/arch/
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Genealogical Society. Index to Applications for Pensions from the State of Oklahoma,
Submitted by Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Their Widows (Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma
Genealogical Society Projects Committee, 1969)
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Archives and Records Management Divisions
200 Northeast 18th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: (800) 522-8116 Ext. 209
Index to Oklahoma Confederate Pension Records http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oar/docs/pension.pdf
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
8301 Parkland Road
Columbia, SC 29223
Telephone: (803) 896-6100
South Carolina Department of Archives and History http://www.state.sc.us/scdah
Index to South Carolina Confederate Pension Applications, 1919-1926
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/search/default.asp
TENNESSEE
Sistler, Samuel. Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications (Nashville, TN: Sistler &
Assoc., 1995).
Tennessee State Library and Archives
Public Service Division
403 Seventh Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243-0312
Telephone: (615) 741-2764
Tennessee State Library and Archives http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/tslahome.htm
Tennessee Confederate Soldiers and Widows Pension Applications
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/pension.htm
Tennessee Confederate Soldiers Home Applications
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/csh_intr.htm
Tennessee Civil War Veterans' Questionnaires (Confederate and Federal)
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/quest.htm
Tennessee Confederate Physicians http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/docintro.htm
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(208) 853-7567 or (800) 842-7479
Page 8
TEXAS
White, Virgil D. Index to Texas CSA Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing
Co., 1989).
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
P.O. Box 12927
Austin, TX 78711
Telephone: (512) 463-5480
Index to Texas Confederate Pension Applications, 1899 – 1975
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/pensions/introcpi.html
Confederate Indigent Families, 1863 – 1865 http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/cif/index.html
Genealogy links at the Texas State Library and Archives http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/genfirst.html
Archives & Manuscripts at the Texas State Library and Archives
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/index.html
VIRGINIA
Library of Virginia - Archives Division
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: (804) 692-3888
Online Resources:
The Library of Virginia http://www.lva.lib.va.us/
Virginia Confederate Pension Rolls - Veterans and Widows
http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas10
Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts for artificial limbs
http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas11
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(208) 853-7567 or (800) 842-7479
Page 9
Source Material and Other Resources
The following were essential sources used in providing the information for this article.
NARA Military Records Research Page
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/research_topics/military.html
Family Research’s U.S. Military Records Resource Page
http://familyresearchlibrary.com/resources/resources_military.htm
International Military Records Resource Page
http://familyresearchlibrary.com/resources/resources_military_intl.htm
Cyndi’s List of Military Resources
http://www.cyndislist.com/milres.htm
The Civil War Center – An Index of Civil War Information on the Internet
http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/
National Park Service - Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/
U.S. Veteran’s National Gravesite Locator System
http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
Links to all State Archives websites
http://familyresearchlibrary.com/resources/archives.html
Family History Library
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHL/frameset_library.asp
U.S. Veteran National Gravesite Locator
http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
Valley Forge Muster Roll
http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/
The 50 State Archives
http://familyresearchlibrary.com/resources/archives.html
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Page 10
1
MILITARY RECORDS
Presented by: Carter L. Wilson III
Family Research Group
Boise ID
(208) 853853-7567 or (800) 842842-7479

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Two Basic Categories
Military
Service Records
Pension Application Files
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Service Record

Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)
– Any Branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
– From 1775 to the present
– Details official activities of the individual

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Contents of a Pension File

Pension Application may be secondary to the supporting documents
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Pay
Assignments
Promotions
Awards
Evidence of place and date of birth
Evidence of marriage
Discharge papers or statement from A.G.
Narratives, medical statements, and other information.
Veteran’s Application
Name
Date of Birth (or age)
Legal Residence
Rank
Military Units
Periods of Military Service
Medical Information

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Widow’s Application

Her name
Date of birth (or age)
Maiden name
Marriage information
Date & place of veteran’
veteran’s death
Residence
May also name surviving minor children
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Application of a Child
Information from veteran’
veteran’s file
Information from Widow’
Widow’s file
Name of minor child (or children)
Date and place of birth
Date and place of mother’
mother’s death and names of heirs
Residence at time of application

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Remember !

Every statement submitted required evidence to back it up.
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Documents
Family Bibles
Depositions
Official Records
Access to Records

Access to records is dependent on the date of the record.
– Early Military Records (1775(1775- c. 1916)
– Modern Military Records (c. 1916 – date)

Different standards for access.
– Types of records
– Authorized individuals
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The Privacy Act

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Safeguard all individuals against an unwarranted invasion of personal
personal privacy, or the release of
personal information by the Government.
Emphasizes the privacy of individuals named in official records.
Provides for civil litigation and monetary damages against Agencies
Agencies for violations.
Freedom of Information Act
Intended to allow greater access to government records by its citizens.
citizens.
Designed to maintain honestly in government.
Does not override the Privacy Act.

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Direct to the branch of service in which the individual served.
Recommend Standard Form (SF) 180
DO NOT send to addresses on SFSF-180
Use the following addresses:

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Address for Requesting
1973 Fire Losses

Army Personnel - 80 percent of records for those discharged between 1 Nov 1912 and
and 1 Jan 1960.
Air Force Personnel – 75 percent of records for those discharged between 25 Sep 1947 and 1 Jan
2

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1964, with names alphabetically after “Hubbard, James E.”
E.”
Millions of documents were on load to the V.A. at the time of the
the fire.
A complete listing of loses is unavailable.
Modern Military Records
World War I – present
Request must be in writing [5 USC 552a(b)
Information available and procedures vary depending upon the requestor:
requestor:

– Veteran or next of kin
– Members of the general public

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Fees
Requests from the Veteran or Next of Kin
May submit request online at http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
Prints 2 copies. You must sign page 1 and return to NPRC;
Or submit on SFSF-180.
180.
Request Complete File

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Requests from the General Public

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You are a member of the general public if you are requesting information
information concerning
a veteran who is not related to you; or one who is related, but you are not the next of
kin (surviving spouse who has not remarried, father, mother, son,
son, daughter, sister, or
brother).
Information Limited
Name of the veteran
Service number
Rank
Branch and dates of service
Awards and decorations
Place of entrance and separation

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Authorized Agent

If you are acting as an Authorized Agent, you may be entitled to additional
information.
– Authorization must be in writing
– Must be signed by the veteran or next of kin.
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Sample Authorization

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“I authorize the National Personnel Records Center or other custodian
custodian of my military service
record, to release to (your name, company or organization) the following
following information and/or
copies of documents from my military service record.”
record.”
Include information releasable or enter “entire file or record” for carte blanche access.
Must be signed and dated.
Honored for one year from date of signature.
EARLY MILITARY RECORDS (1775 - c. 1916)
3

Maintained by NARA
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Procedures identical for all periods
Requesting Early Service Records

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Civil War
MexicanMexican-American War
Indian Wars
War of 1812
American Revolution
Other conflicts prior to WWI
Must be requested on NATF Form 86
Request from NARA or order online at http://www.archives.gov/global_pages/inquire_form.html
Maximum of 5 of each form per request.
Remember! Service records pertain to the individual and generally
generally contain little family
information.
Fee: $17.00
Early Service Records
Army records available for officers prior to 30 Jun 1917 and enlisted
enlisted serving prior to
31 Oct 1912.
Compiled service records also available for Confederate States 1861
1861--1865.
No compiled records for Navy or Marine Corps personnel.

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Early Pension Records
Usually considered more valuable for family research.
Request using NATF Form 85
Order online from NARA
Rates vary depending on
what documents are
No charge for unsuccessful search.

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Pension Document Packet

Partial pension file
Cost $14.75 (including S&H)
May Include
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–
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–
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ordered.
Declaration of pension
Declaration of a widow’
widow’s pension
Adjutant General statements of service
Questionnaires completed by applicant
“Pension Dropped”
Dropped” cards
Marriage certificate
Death certificate
Discharge certificate
Complete Pension File
Cost - $37.00
Personal preference on which
to order
NARA personnel are good when
they pick the information out of
of the file, but . . .
You may never know what may have been missed.

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Bounty Land Warrants

Based upon Federal military wartime service, covering the period of 1775 to 1855.
Request on NATF 85
Cost $17.25
4

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Confederate Pension Records

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If for Rev. War service, bounty land warrant records have been consolidated
consolidated with pension records.
Order only if you can’
can’t find pension record.
Not issued by the U.S. so not held by NARA.
Not issued by Confederate States.
Issued by the individual States:
Alabama
1867 – Pension to Confederate veterans who had lost arms or legs.
1886 – Included widows of above veterans.
1891 – Law amended to include indigent veterans & their widows.

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Arkansas
1890 – Arkansas Confederate Home for indigent soldiers and widows.
1891 – Pensions to indigent Confederate veterans.
1915 – Pensions to widows and surviving mothers.

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Florida

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1885 – Pensions for Confederate Veterans.
1889 – Added widows as pensioners.
Georgia
1870 – Pensions for Confederate veterans with artificial limbs.
1879 – Added other disabled veterans and their widows then living in state.
state.
1894 – Pension Act expanded to include old age and poverty.

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Kentucky

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Louisiana

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1898 – Granted pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows.
widows.
Mississippi

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Border state that was not an official member of the Confederate States.
1912 – Granted pensions to Confederate veterans and their widows.
1888 – Pensions for indigent Confederate veterans or their widows
Missouri
Border state that stayed with the Union.
Supported a State Veteran’
Veteran’s Home.
1911 – Pensions for indigent veterans.
No pensions ever granted for widows or other survivors.
Pension & Veteran’
Veteran’s Home Application filed together.

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North Carolina
1867 – Pensions for blind veterans or those who had lost a limb as a result
result of their
service to the Confederacy.
1885 – Pensions granted to all other disabled, indigent Confederate veterans
veterans and their
widows.

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Oklahoma
Was not even a state during the War.
High number of Confederate veterans.
1915 – Last state to approve pensions to veterans or their widows.

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South Carolina

1887 – Confederate pension for “financially needy”
needy” veterans or their widows. Few of these early
records still exist.
1918 – 1925 Pensions to vets & windows regardless of need. (online index)
index)
Also available:
– Confederate Home Applications
– Inmate records for veterans 19091909-1957
– Pension Applications of wives,widows,
wives,widows, sisters & daughters.
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Tennessee

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1891 – Granted pension for indigent Confederate veterans.
1905 – Included pensions for widows.
Texas
1881 – State set aside 1280 acres for Confederate veterans.
1889 – Provided pensions for indigent veterans and their widows.
Muster Rolls of Texas Militia

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Virginia

1888 – Pensions for veterans or their widows.
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