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United States, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions
United States, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records (view source)
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==== Style Guide ==== | ==== Style Guide ==== | ||
For guidelines to use in creating wiki articles that describe collections of images and indexes produced by FamilySearch, see: [[FamilySearch Wiki:Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages|FamilySearch Wiki: Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages]] | For guidelines to use in creating wiki articles that describe collections of images and indexes produced by FamilySearch, see: [[FamilySearch Wiki:Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages|FamilySearch Wiki: Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages]] | ||
== Collection Time Period<br> == | == Collection Time Period<br> == | ||
Most of the records in the files are dated between 1800 and 1900, although there is some correspondence dated as late as 1940. These records cover about 20 percent of American military, naval, and marine officers and enlisted men who served in the Revolutionary War. | Most of the records in the files are dated between 1800 and 1900, although there is some correspondence dated as late as 1940. These records cover about 20 percent of American military, naval, and marine officers and enlisted men who served in the Revolutionary War. | ||
== How to Use the Records<br> == | == How to Use the Records<br> == | ||
Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned. | Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned. | ||
When searching the index it is helpful to know the following: | When searching the index it is helpful to know the following: | ||
*The place where your ancestor lived. | *The place where your ancestor lived. | ||
*The name of your ancestor. | *The name of your ancestor. | ||
Use the locator information found in the index (such as page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination. | Use the locator information found in the index (such as page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination. | ||
When you have located your ancestor’s record, 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. For example: | When you have located your ancestor’s record, 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. For example: | ||
*Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of enrollment to birth records and parents' names. | *Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of enrollment to birth records and parents' names. | ||
*Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of enrollment to find the family in census records. | *Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of enrollment to find the family in census records. | ||
*Use the residence to locate church and land records. | *Use the residence to locate church and land records. | ||
*The place of death or burial could lead you to funeral and cemetery records which often include the names and residences of other family members. | *The place of death or burial could lead you to funeral and cemetery records which often include the names and residences of other family members. | ||
*Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. | *Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. 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 lived in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. | *Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. | ||
*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. | *When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. | ||
If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following: | If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following: | ||
*Check for variant spellings of the surnames. | *Check for variant spellings of the surnames. | ||
*Check for a different index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. | *Check for a different index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. | ||
== Record Description<br> == | == Record Description<br> == | ||
The pension and land warrant applications consist of about 80,000 files. Each file may be a single card or may contain from 1 to 200 pages or more. A typical file is about 30 pages and includes an introductory card, an application, sworn affidavits, and other supporting documents that verify a veteran’s identity and service. The file also includes papers that show decisions made concerning the claim. In 1912 the Survivor, Widow, Rejected, and Bounty Land Warrant files were consolidated into a single alphabetical series. | The pension and land warrant applications consist of about 80,000 files. Each file may be a single card or may contain from 1 to 200 pages or more. A typical file is about 30 pages and includes an introductory card, an application, sworn affidavits, and other supporting documents that verify a veteran’s identity and service. The file also includes papers that show decisions made concerning the claim. In 1912 the Survivor, Widow, Rejected, and Bounty Land Warrant files were consolidated into a single alphabetical series. | ||
=== Record Content<br> === | === Record Content<br> === | ||
Each application file includes some or all of the following genealogical information: | Each application file includes some or all of the following genealogical information: | ||
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*Ages or birth dates of the children | *Ages or birth dates of the children | ||
== Record History<br> == | == Record History<br> == | ||
Pension acts were passed and amended many times between 1776 and 1878. In 1776 the first pension law granted half-pay for life to soldiers disabled in the service and unable to earn a living. A pension law passed in 1818 permitted compensation for service, regardless of disability, but was later amended, making eligible only those soldiers who were unable to earn a living. The pension act of 1832 allowed pensions again based on service and enabled a veteran’s widow to receive pension benefits. | Pension acts were passed and amended many times between 1776 and 1878. In 1776 the first pension law granted half-pay for life to soldiers disabled in the service and unable to earn a living. A pension law passed in 1818 permitted compensation for service, regardless of disability, but was later amended, making eligible only those soldiers who were unable to earn a living. The pension act of 1832 allowed pensions again based on service and enabled a veteran’s widow to receive pension benefits. | ||
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==== Style Guide ==== | ==== Style Guide ==== | ||
For guidelines to use in creating wiki articles that describe collections of images and indexes produced by FamilySearch, see: [[FamilySearch Wiki:Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages|FamilySearch Wiki: Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages]] | For guidelines to use in creating wiki articles that describe collections of images and indexes produced by FamilySearch, see: [[FamilySearch Wiki:Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages|FamilySearch Wiki: Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages]] | ||
== Sources of Information for This Collection: == | == Sources of Information for This Collection: == | ||
“Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files,” database, FamilySearch; from United States Veterans Administration . “Revolutionary War pension and bounty-land-warrant application files.” National Archives, Washington, D.C. FHL microfilm, 2670 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. | <!--bibdescbegin-->“Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files,” database, FamilySearch; from United States Veterans Administration . “Revolutionary War pension and bounty-land-warrant application files.” National Archives, Washington, D.C. FHL microfilm, 2670 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. <!--bibdescend--> | ||
<br>The format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: [[How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections|How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections]] | <br>The format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: [[How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections|How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections]] | ||