Maine Civil War Pension Applications

Search for Pension Applications

This search interface provides access to the "Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain." Only about 20% of these "Widows' Pension" files have been digitized, of which nearly 120,000 are now available to view on the National Archives website.

From the Archives [pdf]:

What might I find in a WC File?

Invalid Pension Documents

• If a widows' husband had applied for an invalid pension prior to his death, his pension files will be consolidated together with the widows' claim in the WC file. This includes SO and SC files as well as corroborating evidence to the claim and Examining Surgeons Certificates.

Declaration for Widow's Pension and Widow's Certificate

• When a widow applied for a soldier's pension, her file was designated a Widow's Original, or WO number. When it was approved, it was filed under a Widow's Certificate, or WC number.
• These documents include reasons for approval or disapproval of pension and any subsequent increases.

Documents Corroborating Widow's Claim

• In order to receive a widow's pension, the widow had to provide proof of marriage to the deceased veteran, she had to show proof of her husband's death, and in the 1890s she might have been subject to a "means test" proving that she had no overly valuable property.
• May include vital records: marriage, birth, death, divorce.
• Internal correspondence from the Bureau of Pensions related to any discrepancies or conflicts that had arisen to the widow's claim.
• Affidavits taken from neighbors, friends, co-workers, employers, and others familiar with the widow's and veteran's relationship.
• In some cases, the Bureau of Pensions would send a Special Examiner to investigate widows' claims, and the WC File may include transcribed depositions.
• Sometimes, files contain correspondence and appeals written in the widow's own hand or by others writing on her behalf.

Source: Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, 1861-1934, National Archives and Records Administration.