The War of 1812 pension records contain valuable genealogical information. They can range from 14 to over 130 pages in length, averaging 40-50 pages. The records often include marriage records with details of the marriage such as date, location, names of those married, and original certificates. Discharge records provide military details including unit, rank, service dates, physical description and occupation. Bounty land records specify land grants with details of the land and serviceman. Family Bible records within the files list births, marriages, and deaths of family members. The many gems of information within make it important to preserve the pension records.

1. WAR OF 1812 PENSION
RECORDS: THE GEMS WITHIN!
Michael J. Hall
Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer
12th New England Regional
Genealogical Conference
Librarians Day – 17 April 2013
Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH

2. How Big Are The
Pension Records

3. As few as 14
pages or less
OR

4. As Many as
130 Plus Pages

5. So Far The Average is
Between 40-50
Pages

6. Some of the Gems
Of the War of 1812
Pensions

7. Marriage Records

8. Place of
Marriage

9. Location of
Original Record

10. Residence at
time of
marriage

11. Date and
Place of
Marriage

12. Original Marriage License

13. Comments
By Clerk

14. “True” Transcript of
Original Register of
Marriages

15. Date and
Place of
Marriage
License

16. Date and Place of
Testimony of County
Circuit Court Clerk

17. Persons to be
Married

18. Who performed
The marriage

19. State Seal

20. Original
Church
Marriage
Certificate

21. Original State
Marriage
Certificate

22. Written Testimony
of County Clerk

23. Names of Persons being Married
And Date of Marriage

24. Church where
Marriage
Took Place

25. Register where
Marriage
Record was
Kept

26. When Marriage
Was executed

27. Lawful Age at
Marriage

28. Where information
Was taken from

29. Discharge Records

30. Military Unit
Of Serviceman

31. Name and Rank
Of Serviceman

32. Discharge Date

33. Age, Physical
Description
And occupation of
Serviceman

34. Enlistment
Date

35. Length of
Service

36. Bounty Land Records

37. Number
Of Acres

38. Written Notes

39. Unit of
Serviceman

40. Bounty Land
Act Date

41. Listing of other
Servicemen
Receiving Land
Warrants with
Certificate
Number

42. Proof of
Identity

43. Name and Age
Of Serviceman

44. Unit of
Serviceman

45. Rank of
Serviceman

46. Articles of
Agreement
To improve
The Land

47. Description of
Land Improvements
As by Indenture
Agreement

48. Residence of
Serviceman

49. Additional Bounty
Land Claim given
By State

50. Family Bible Records

51. Listing of
Births from
Family Bible

52. Listing of
Marriages
From
Family Bible

53. Listing of
Deaths from
Family Bible

54. Why we need to
Preserve the
Pension Records

55. Recorded Births
Of Family
Members

56. Marriage of
Family
Member

57. Vital Records
Information

58. Death and Burial
Information for
Wife

59. Church Record of
Birth and Baptism
Of Daughter

60. Early Death
Record

61. Marriage Information
Of Serviceman
Death Information
Of Serviceman