February 17, 2015 - The War of 1812 Declared Over
by Lisa McBride of FamilySearch
This February 17, 2015, marks the day President Madison declared the War of 1812 was over between the United States and Great Britain.
If you have ancestors who may have served in this war, pension records can be a great way to find out more about your ancestor and his family. War of 1812 U.S. Pension Records are important records to aid in finding ancestors in the United States at a time when many other records are lacking. By finding a soldier in a specific place on a specific date in early America, you can start creating a framework to begin adding more information as your research continues. And, what a memorable experience you will have to share with family members and friends.
This February 17, 2015, marks the day President Madison declared the War of 1812 was over between the United States and Great Britain.
If you have ancestors who may have served in this war, pension records can be a great way to find out more about your ancestor and his family. War of 1812 U.S. Pension Records are important records to aid in finding ancestors in the United States at a time when many other records are lacking. By finding a soldier in a specific place on a specific date in early America, you can start creating a framework to begin adding more information as your research continues. And, what a memorable experience you will have to share with family members and friends.
Ratification documents were exchanged at 11:00 p.m., but it was announced on the 18th. Not all men who served filed for pensions, and many men did not live long enough to file. But, for those who did file for a pension some records give exact death dates, marriage dates, and wife’s maiden name. Occasionally children and grandchildren are listed. Many widows filed for their deceased husbands. By noting where a soldier filed for a pension and then comparing the military unit and state or county from where he served, you can determine the migration pattern of an ancestor. Sometimes relatives were used as witnesses. What a wealth of information just waiting to be discovered!
The fold3.com website is available free at the St. George FamilySearch Library (SGFSL) and is partnering with the Federation of Genealogical Societies to digitize all of the War of 1812 Pension Records found at the United States National Archives. Although Footnote records are always free at family history centers around the world, this record set is free to anyone anywhere when they log into Footnote.com. Once on Footnote, follow this path to the records:
1. comClick War of 1812.
2. Click Pension Files.
3. Type the state where pension file was processed and/or service was
rendered.
4. Type the last name of soldier.
The digitizing process is being done alphabetically, so if your ancestor’s last name was in the first half of the alphabet, you will probably find that his pension is completed and online at Footnote.com. More records are being posted online each month.
1. comClick War of 1812.
2. Click Pension Files.
3. Type the state where pension file was processed and/or service was
rendered.
4. Type the last name of soldier.
The digitizing process is being done alphabetically, so if your ancestor’s last name was in the first half of the alphabet, you will probably find that his pension is completed and online at Footnote.com. More records are being posted online each month.
If the ancestor was loyal to the British Crown, you may find records concerning him in Canada. The FamilySearch Wiki pageCanada in the War of 1812 gives many sources for information about Canadian military units and online Canadian records. For information about other groups who participated in the War of 1812, see the FamilySearch Wiki page War of 1812, 1812 to 1815.
Pensions often tell us more about our ancestors and the struggles they faced in a young land at war. These are stories that many families have lost through the years. Sharing stories with our families about the strength and courage of our ancestors gives us courage to face our own battles in life. Use the War of 1812 Pensions to help you find your early American ancestors and then share that experience with your family.
Pensions often tell us more about our ancestors and the struggles they faced in a young land at war. These are stories that many families have lost through the years. Sharing stories with our families about the strength and courage of our ancestors gives us courage to face our own battles in life. Use the War of 1812 Pensions to help you find your early American ancestors and then share that experience with your family.