US National Archives Index to War of 1812 Pension application files

Microfilm at Birmingham Public Library (Ala)

E359.4 .I5 1960 Microcopy # 313

This microfilm contains mostly muster roll cards for soldiers who applied for a War of 1812 pension. The actual 1812 pension records are housed in Washington, D. C, at The National Archives. They are paper records, and have not been microfilmed, therefore they are not available at any other location. National Archives took over these records back in the 1920's. The War Department visited the various states and copied the application files prior to that date, so it is possible that some records from burned courthouses may still survive at the National Archives.

There is a fee to have NARA copy the records. Form 86 will provide the Muster Roll cards for a fee ($25 in 2008). Unless you have absolutely no access to a library or research center of any kind, this fee is unnecessary and excessive, in my opinion, for what you get. Most research libraries and each state archives have these muster rolls on microfilm and you can make a copy for a minimal charge, usually 25 cents. Form 85A will provide the full file of pension records for a higher fee ($50 in 2008). The site was very confusing to identify which form was actually needed. Basically, the process is this - look through the microfilm "Index to War of 1812 Pension Application Files" to find the muster roll card. Alternately, check a book such as the "Index to War of 1812 Pension Files" by Virgil D. White, found at many genealogy research centers. Make a copy of all the information, and enter it on the Form 85A request to NARA. This will ensure the correct records are provided.

Order forms can be found on the NARA site. Be very careful which form you choose, because the descriptions are quite confusing. They are all expensive, and choosing the wrong form will bring you useless information. For example, I chose Form 86 first. I received a copy of 4 muster roll cards for $25. These were available on microfilm at my local library, and I already had copies. So basically, I threw away $25, as there are no refunds, nor can it be applied to future orders.

The files at the National Archives are open to the public, and visitors can browse the paper files, or call ahead, and a NARA employee will pre-pull the files for you to review.

National Archives and Records Administration
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001

The National Archives Building is located between Seventh and Ninth Streets, NW, with entrances on Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.

I requested pension records for my William Gray using Form 85A. Some pages of the records appear to be ordinary records from probate records at the county courthouse, but which book it might be from is unknown at this time. Possibilities are Minutes books or Records books. I would recommend you check with your county probate office to see if some of the 1812 pension records are on file locally.