GenMassachusetts-L Archives

From: Jan <>
Subject: [GM-L] Pension files from NARA New Prices
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 11:31:37 -0500

Someone asked on one of these lists recently about the increased cost of
pension files. I requested form NATF80 recently and received an
automated response giving me different form numbers to choose. I ordered
Form 86 titled National Archives Order for Copies of Federal Pension or
Bounty Land Warrant Applications.
The form can be used for:
Full Pension Application File cost $37.00
Pension Documents Packet cost $14.75
Bounty Land Warrant Application cost 17.25

The explanation of each on the form is:
Full Pension Application File: Pension application files generally are
most useful to those who are doing genealogical research and contain the
most complete information regarding a soldier's military career. We
suggest that you first request copies of the soldier's pension file. You
should request copies of bounty-land warrant file or a military record
only when no pension file exists. If the veteran's service was during
the Revolutionary War, bounty-land warrant applications have been
consolidated with pension application papers.

Pension Documents Packet: The pension documents packet will contain to
the extent that these documents are present in the file, 8 documents
that contain genealogical information about the pension applicant. Not
all documents will be found in every file. The package will include any
of the following items:
Declaration of Pension Declaration of Widow's Pension Adjutant General
statements of service Questionnaires completed by applicants Pension
Dropped Cards Marriage Certificates Death Certificates Discharge
Certificate
We will not provide a count of remaining pages; if you wish to obtain a
full pension file after reviewing the pension documents packet you will
need o order the complete file.

Bounty Land Warren Application files are based on Federal service before
1856. Documents in a bounty-land warrant application file are similar to
those in a pension application file. IN addition, these files usually
give the veteran's age and place of residence at the time the
application was made. Need form NATF 84.

I ordered two full pension files previously, it took about 4 months. I
got packets of at least 20 pages on each person and haven't been charged
yet. Wonderful information. I did find some genealogical information in
one. Other provided written testimonials from locals who knew the person
applying for the pension and it gave me some information on what life
was like in a small New England town after the Civil War.

Jan

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