TIP OF THE WEEK –
MORE WAR OF 1812 PENSION FILES AVAILABLE NOW

The National Archives has added more records to its pension collection for the War of 1812 (National Archives Identifier 564415). Files for veterans and widows from the surnames A — Laughlin are now available online.

Before 1871, Veterans could only qualify for a pension if they could prove that a war injury prevented them from earning a living. For widows, they had to prove they had married the solider before the end of the war in 1815. After 1871, all veterans and widows could apply provided the solider had served for at least 60 days. After 1878 benefits were further extended to include veterans, widows and their children if the soldier served at least 14 days. Those who served the war effort in capacities other than soldier were also made eligible.

Pension files area wealth of genealogical information, often containing testimony of a comrades and family Bible records.

As with any collection, be sure to check back often for when more records are added.