Records of the War of 1812 Pass Muster

The War of 1812 began June 18, 1812, when Congress declared war on Great Britain, and ended officially on Dec. 24, 1814, when the Treaty of Ghent was signed.

Finding your ancestor who took part--and 531,622 did--will provide historical notes for your family history. The Index to Service Records of War of 1812 Soldiers is available on microfilm at the National Archives and its regional branches and through the LDS (Mormon) Family History libraries.

This index is an alphabetical list of names of everyone found in the service records showing the name of soldier, rank and regiment. Additionally, there are separate microfilmed indexes for three states--Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Other indexes exist, which have not been microfilmed, and there are indexes to other states or territories, units composed of soldiers from more than one state or territory, Indian regiments and regiments of Canadians. These are only available from the National Archives.

Actual service records of the War of 1812 soldiers are in the National Archives and you must write to obtain copies of the original records of soldiers from every state except Mississippi, which are on microfilm. These files contain abstracts of muster rolls, payrolls, rank rolls, provision and clothing receipts, receipts for pay, accounts for rations and correspondence.

The Index to War of 1812 Pension Records--also available on microfilm at National Archives and the Family History Libraries--contain more genealogical data than the service records. This index pertains to those who filed an application for a pension based on their own or a relative’s service. Included are: name of soldier, date of enlistment and discharge, pension number(s), bounty land number(s), residence of soldier and/or widow, maiden name of widow, date and place of marriage, date of death of soldier and/or widow.

Documents included in each file shown in the index have not been microfilmed. In order to obtain the original pension files write to the National Archives. First request NATF Form 80 from Reference Services Branch, National Archives, 8th and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20408, and follow the instructions on the forms. This process can take several months, but is worthwhile as the pension records may include: personal account of war experiences; reasons why an individual joined the war effort; company, rank, duties; dates served; companions with whom he served; officers under whom he served; depositions from neighbors and friends authenticating the testimony of an individual or affirming his character; age at time of enlistment or time of filing application; residence(s) after the war; date of marriage (especially if the widow filed for a pension); dates of birth and names of children; and pertinent medical information and/or physician’s statements.

Bounty land of 160 acres was issued to noncommissioned officers and soldiers who served at least five years. This began in 1811. A second series of warrants relate to soldiers who enlisted after December 1814 and was for 320 acres of land located in one of three districts in Arkansas, Illinois or Missouri. Prior to 1842 the warrants could not be used outside these districts or sold or assigned until after 1852. Some warrants list the names of the heirs and their relationship to the deceased veteran. The last warrant was issued in 1858.

The indexes to patentees in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and the warrants or warrant stubs are on microfilm and available through the Family History Libraries.

The National Archives also has a collection of manuscripts relating to state militia organizations and claims of personnel who served in them, and there are files relating to civilians who rendered supplies or services. An extensive name index to the manuscripts exists, however it has not been microfilmed and is available only at the National Archives.

Myra Gormley welcomes genealogical questions for her column, but is unable to answer individual letters. For her beginner’s how-to genealogy kit (with charts) send $4 to Kit, Box 64316, Tacoma, Wash. 98464.