How To Get Available Records for Confederate Soldiers
National Archives and Records Administration http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/civilwar.html
For Confederate army soldiers, there are two major records in NARA that provide information on military service:
(1) compiled military service record (CMSR) and
(2) records reproduced in microfilm publication M861, Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Confederate Organizations (74 rolls). Records relating to Confederate soldiers are typically less complete than those relating to Union soldiers because many Confederate records did not survive the war.
NARA does not have pension files for Confederate soldiers. Pensions were granted to Confederate veterans and their widows and minor children by the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia; these records are in the state archives or equivalent agency.
NARA records are available from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City
Utah.
You can order them at your local Family History Center (FHC) (Mormon Church). The centers should have a Research Outline on Military
Records which should cost about a dollar. Also there is a good book out on Military
Records (NARA) by James Neagle. It should be in most FHC. In the card catalog on microfiche, you can go to the
Author/Title section, look under Author = National Archives. All their film is there listed by NARA # (sample= M530.
LDS microfilm is quicker and cheaper than requesting from NARA.
You can obtain the NATF Form 80 by providing your name and mailing address to inquire@nara.gov. Be sure to specify "Form 80" and the number of forms you need.
You can also obtain the NATF Form 80 by writing to: National Archives and Records Administration, Attn: NWDT1, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408-0001.
The Cost of this type of lookup is $45.00.
CONFEDERATE SERVICE And PENSION RECORDS
The agencies listed below are repositories for Confederate pension records. The veteran was eligible to apply for a pension to the State in which he lived, even if he served in a unit from a different State. Generally, an applicant was eligible for a pension only if he was indigent or disabled. In your letter to the repository, state the Confederate veteran's name, his widow's name, the unit(s) in which he served, and the counties in which he and his widow lived after the Civil War. Some repositories also have records of Confederate Homes (for veterans, widows, etc.), muster rolls of State Confederate militia, and other records related to the war. For information on procedures and fees for requesting copies of records, contact the appropriate repository. Also See Online Pension Indexes for Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia
ALABAMA
Alabama Department of
Archives and History - http://www.archives.state.al.us/index.html
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Telephone: 334-242-4363
In 1867 Alabama began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who had lost arms or legs. In 1886 the State began granting pensions to veterans' widows. In 1891 the law was amended to grant pensions to indigent veterans or their widows.
ARKANSAS
Arkansas History Commission and State Archives
- http://www.state.ar.us/ahc/
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: 501-682-6900
In 1891 Arkansas began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1915 the State began granting pensions to their widows and mothers.
Two published indexes are available in many libraries:
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).
FLORIDA
Florida State Archives
- http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/fsa.html
R. A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahasse, FL 32399-0250
Telephone: 904-487-2073
In 1885 Florida began granting pensions to Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to their widows.
A published index, which provides each veteran's pension number, is available in many libraries:
White, Virgil. Register of Florida CSA Pension Applications (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).
GEORGIA
Georgia Department of Archives and History
- http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives
Ben W. Fortson Jr. Archives and Records Building
330 Capitol Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: 404-656-2393
In 1870 Georgia began granting pensions to soldiers with artificial limbs. In 1879 the State began granting pensions to other disabled Confederate veterans or their widows who then resided in Georgia. By 1894 eligible disabilities had been expanded to include old age and poverty.
A published index is available in many libraries:
White, Virgil D. Index to Georgia Civil War Confederate Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1996). and online:
Index to Georgia Confederate Pension Applications
KENTUCKY
Kentucky State Archives - http://www.kdla.state.ky.us
Research Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Telephone: 502-564-8704
In 1912, Kentucky began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. The records are on microfilm. A published index is available in many libraries:
Simpson, Alicia. Index of Confederate Pension Applications, Commonwealth of Kentucky (Frankfort, KY: Division of Archives and Records Management, Department of Library and Archives, 1978).
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Archives
- http://www.sec.state.la.us/arch-1.htm
3851 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2137
Telephone: 504-922-1208
In 1898 Louisiana began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows.
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
P.O. Box 571
Jackson, MS 39205
Telephone: 601-359-6876
In 1888 Mississippi began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries:
Wiltshire, Betty C. Mississippi Confederate Pension Applications (Carrollton, MS: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1994).
MISSOURI
Missouri State Archives
- http://mosl.sos.state.mo.us/rec-man/arch.html
State Information Center
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Telephone: 573-751-3280
In 1911 Missouri began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans only; none were granted to widows. Missouri also had a home for disabled Confederate veterans. The pension and veterans' home applications are interfiled and arranged alphabetically. Typically, the pension file is small, perhaps four to eight pages, containing a standard application form and may include letters of recommendation from family members or others.
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
Division of Archives and History
- http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/home/default.htm
109 East Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2807
Telephone: 919-733-7305
In 1867 North Carolina began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who were blinded or lost an arm or leg during their service. In 1885 the State began granting pensions to all other disabled indigent Confederate veterans or widows.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
- http://www.odl.state.ok.us
Archives and Records Management Divisions
- http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oar/index.htm
200 Northeast 18th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: 1-800-522-8116 (nationwide) ext. 209
In 1915 Oklahoma began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries:
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)
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- http://www.state.sc.us/scdah
8301 Parkland Road
Columbia, SC 29223
Telephone: 803-896-6100
A state law enacted December 24, 1887, permitted financially needy Confederate veterans and widows to apply for a pension; however, few applications survive from the 1888-1918 era. Beginning in 1889, the SC Comptroller began publishing lists of such veterans receiving pensions in his Annual Report. To obtain a copy of the pension application from the 1888-1918 era, the researcher needs to know the exact year in which the veteran or widow applied for a pension. From 1919 to 1925, South Carolina granted pensions to Confederate veterans and widows regardless of financial need. These files are arranged alphabetically. Pension application files are typically one sheet of paper with writing on both sides. Also available are Confederate Home applications and inmate records for veterans (1909-1957), and applications of wives, widows, sisters, and daughters (1925-1955).
TENNESSEE
Tennessee State Library and Archives
- http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/tslahome.htm
Public Service Division
403 Seventh Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243-0312
Telephone: 615-741-2764
In 1891 Tennessee began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1905 the State began granting pensions to their widows. The records are on microfilm.
A published index is available in many libraries:
Sistler, Samuel. Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications (Nashville, TN: Sistler & Assoc., 1995).
Confederate Home records are also available, and there is an online index:
TEXAS
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
- http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/lobby/arcfirst.htm
P.O. Box 12927
Austin, TX 78711
Telephone: 512-463-5480
In 1881 Texas set aside 1,280 acres for disabled Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans and their widows. Muster rolls of State militia in Confederate service are also available.
A published index is available in many libraries:
White, Virgil D. Index to Texas CSA Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).
An online Index:
Index to Texas Confederate Pension Applications, 1899-1975
VIRGINIA
Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.lib.va.us
Archives Division
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: 804-692-3888
In 1888 Virginia began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. The records are on microfilm. Two indexes are available online:
Virginia Confederate Pension Rolls (Veterans and Widows) Database
http://eagle.vsla.edu/conpen/
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