Pension Records << Military Records <<

Pension Records Guide

Military Records-
Pension Records
What's In Them Where to Find Them How to Use Them***

Almost always include:

  • Name
  • Dates of enlistment and discharge
  • Beginning and ending rank
  • Military unit


  • May also include:
  • Date and/or place of birth
  • Physical description
  • Occupation
  • Citizenship
  • Residence
  • Marital status
  • Name of spouse
  • Names (and possibly birthdates) of children
  • Marriage date and details
  • Names of parents
  • Affidavits by friends, associates and others
  • Letters written by the veteran, his kin, or his attorneys
  • Signature
  • Medical examination findings
  • Date and/or cause of death
  • Cemetery of burial
  • Photo or sketch
  • See suggestions in service records guide

  • To learn about an ancestor's military service
  • To find the necessary details to locate a military history
  • To learn place and/or date of birth
  • To learn of dates and places of other life events
  • To learn names of spouse and/or children, as well as their birth dates
  • To learn other details such as residence, occupation or citizenship
  • To find a physical description
  • To find death and/or burial information
  • To find medical information
  • For insights into ancestor's personality and performance (e.g., through his letters, affidavits files by others who knew him, etc.)
  • To learn of ancestor's literacy
  • To see ancestor's signature
  • To learn more about ancestor's post-war years and life
  • To see what he looked like