1/4 Here is the original discharge certificate for USCT soldier Henry Johnson. It is a document that survived against all odds. These discharge papers are exceptionally rare because they were given directly to the soldier upon completion of service. The military kept no copies.

This collection features 39 fully transcribed diaries from Union and Confederate soldiers. While your ancestor’s personal diary might not be here, you might discover firsthand accounts from soldiers who served in the same regiment. content.lib.auburn.edu/.../collecti... #genealogy

1/4 Here’s another remarkable and deeply moving discovery from a Civil War pension file. When 18-year-old Henry M. Cheney died in April 1862 while serving with the 8th Connecticut Volunteers, his captain wrote a letter to Henry’s parents informing them of his passing.

1/4 Meet William Brown of the 19th U.S. Colored Infantry, and yes, that’s his photo, found tucked inside his Civil War pension file. Finding any image of a USCT soldier is rare. Finding one in the pension file? Nearly unheard of. But this pension file held something even more extraordinary.

Answer our latest trivia question for a chance to win a $25 credit toward your next purchase at CivilWarRecords.com! Enter by 7 pm ET on Thursday. The Winner will be announced Friday! Only those who submit their answer through the link will be entered to win. civilwarrecords.com/pages/win-a-...

While at the National Archives recently, I came across another powerful piece of history, a document bearing Abraham Lincoln’s signature, approving the death sentence of Private Sylvester Buel from Company B, 3rd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. 1/3

I was a guest on the Ohio Roots podcast, the official podcast of the Ohio Genealogical Society! We chatted about my start in genealogy, Civil War research, & helping others discover their ancestors. Listen now: webmasterxy.podbean.com/e/episode-47...

Memorial Day began in 1868 as Decoration Day, a time to honor Civil War soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. First proclaimed by Gen. John A. Logan, it later grew to honor all fallen U.S. service members. #MemorialDay

I recently joined The Family Treehouse Podcast by Storied to talk about one of my favorite topics, uncovering powerful stories in Civil War records. I shared tips for researching your ancestor’s military history. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify! 1/2

Our giveaway is almost over! Don’t miss your shot at winning a $25 credit toward your next CivilWarRecords.com purchase. Answer this trivia question correctly to be entered: Click the link to submit your answer. civilwarrecords.com/pages/win-a-... The winner will be announced Friday!

In October 1862, 19-year-old Creed Amos wrote his parents from Camp Lincoln. Four months later, he was gone. His letter became key to their Civil War pension claim. Read his story & see images from the file in our latest post: civilwarrecords.com/blogs/news/a... #genealogy

What year did the American Civil War begin? Know the answer? Enter it here for a chance to win a $25 credit toward your next Civil War Records purchase! civilwarrecords.com/pages/win-a-... Entries must be submitted via the link. Winner announced Friday! #genealogy

One of the rarest and most heartbreaking finds I’ve ever uncovered at the National Archives... Tucked inside a Civil War pension file was the diary of Private Calvin Gray, Company K, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He wrote every day in 1864, until September 18, when he wrote his final entry. 1/6

While I was at the Ohio Genealogical Society's annual conference over the weekend, I sat down with attorney and family historian Justin K. Houser, JD, and he shared how a Civil War pension file uncovered the real story behind a long-held family tale, changing everything they thought they knew. 1/2

Today at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, I caught up with Kate Townsend, CG®, who shared some of the incredible documents she's discovered in Civil War pension files she ordered from CivilWarRecords.com, including an original German marriage certificate! 1/3

My booth is all set up and ready for the Ohio Genealogical Society’s annual conference! I’m excited to reconnect with friends and meet some new ones. If you’re attending, be sure to stop by the exhibitor hall and say hi! #genealogy

As April closes, take a look back at one soldier’s letter from April 16, 1865, just days after the surrender and hours after Lincoln’s death. It is a powerful firsthand glimpse into the final days of the Civil War. Read the full letter on our blog! civilwarrecords.com/blogs/news/a... #genealogy

I had rare access to original Revolutionary War muster rolls at the National Archives! This one, from August 1776, just a month after the Declaration of Independence. It's a privilege to see these stories firsthand. Let us help you find your ancestor's records! www.CivilWarRecords.com #genealogy

The correct answer was James Madison—fun fact, he was the last U.S. president who was also a Founding Father! Congratulations to our winner, Terry Gunnell-Beck!

Last Chance to Enter! Don’t miss your shot at winning a $25 credit toward your next CivilWarRecords.com purchase. Answer this question correctly to be entered: Who was President during the War of 1812? Submit your answer civilwarrecords.com/pages/win-a-... The winner will be announced this Friday.

Many Southern states passed laws to approve pensions at the state level, so Confederate soldiers applied for pensions in the state where they lived at the time, not necessarily where they had enlisted. The National Archives has a list of where they are located. www.archives.gov/.../confeder...

Three cheers to @brianrhinehart.bsky.social and the staff at CivilWarRecords.com for delivering another file of glorious color images. Murphy's Law: 2 for 2 now for affidavits from town clerks attesting there is no town record for the vital event the petitioner needed to submit info for. 🤣

It’s giveaway time! Answer this trivia question for a chance to win a $25 credit to CivilWarRecords.com: Who was President during the War of 1812? Enter now! Winner announced next Friday: civilwarrecords.com/pages/win-a-... #genealogy

🧵If you’ve spent any amount of time researching your family’s history, you know that finding reliable information about some of your ancestors can be tricky. Did you know that many Civil War pension files have detailed family information in them?

Looking for a speaker for your #genealogy society or local library? I'd love to speak to your organization. Contact me for details and to schedule a time to speak to your group. To see a list of my current presentations, click the link below. civilwarrecords.com/pages/presen...

1/3 Uncover the hidden stories of your family history! Every week, we’re at the National Archives, retrieving invaluable records for our clients. Imagine one file revealing your ancestor’s military history– their service, their struggles, and their sacrifices.

The soldier was not required to provide information about his parents. For example, a death certificate or enlistment papers may include this information. Additionally, family members, such as the soldier's father, may have provided information about the soldier to the pension office. #genealogy

Looking for Civil War enlistment papers? If your ancestor was in a state regiment, they may be in their compiled military service records at the National Archives. If they served in a US regiment (regular army), enlistment papers are filed separately. 1/2

On April 4, 1872,Congress amended the Homestead Act to support Civil War veterans and their families. This law allowed those who served at least 90 days to claim up to 160 acres—and they could count their military service toward the residency requirement, reducing it to as little as one year! 1/3

Another week at the National Archives! This historic building sits on Pennsylvania Ave., between the White House & Capitol. Cross the street for a perfect view of the Capitol dome! We’re here weekly, retrieving your ancestors' records—so you don’t have to! www.CivilWarRecords.com #genealogy

Thread 1/3: Even if the land was never officially granted, the canceled and relinquished case files are often times full of more information than you would find in a completed homestead file. These files can tell a story as rich as any successful homestead land file!

At #RootsTech last year, I brought a map for people to pin their ancestor’s Civil War home state—poor Delaware got snubbed! This year, I brought it back, and every single state got pinned! But one held out until the end. Any guesses about which state was the last?

It was great catching up with @ancestryaimee.bsky.social at #RootsTech! Last fall, she joined me at the National Archives, uncovering Civil War pensions & emotional family letters. Want to see her discoveries? Click the link to watch the video on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/share/v/19wk...

Over 150,000 Irish immigrants fought for the Union during the Civil War, many seeking opportunity and proving their loyalty to their new country. The famed Irish Brigade, known for its courage, faced heavy losses in battles like Antietam and Fredericksburg. 1/2

A Russian passport in a Civil War soldier’s file? Julius de Berg, accused of being a Russian spy, was sentenced to death—then exonerated. Instead of fleeing, he enlisted under an alias. His passport? Still at the National Archives! What’s waiting in your ancestor’s records? www.CivilWarRecords.com

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Civil War Records booth at #RootsTech online or in person! It was amazing to be back for year two, helping you to uncover your ancestors' stories from National Archives records. Can’t wait for 2026! #genealogy

Did your ancestor fight in the Civil War (or another 19th-century conflict)? Uncover their story with my FREE guide to researching 19th-century military ancestors! civilwarrecords.com/pages/freest... #genealogy

If you are attending #RootsTech in person, stop by my booth, 1519. I will be giving two mini-lectures each day. #Genealogy

Fold3 has recently added 2 new Civil War collections to their site! These records provide insights into the past, but keep in mind that these records are different from the Civil War pension files and service records that I can retrieve for you from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. ⬇️

Did Your Ancestor Serve in the Mexican War? They may have received 160 acres of federal bounty land! Mexican War veterans were eligible for a bounty land warrant immediately upon discharge, allowing them to claim land anywhere in the U.S. 1/2

African Americans played a key role in settling the Great Plains through the Homestead Act, with 3,500 Black claimants securing 650,000 acres. 1/2

🧵This marriage certificate found in a Civil War pension file documents the 1849 marriage between James Blair and Sarah Battles in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Some states, including Pennsylvania, did not formally record marriages in the 1840s, making this an especially unique find. 1/3

Did you know that we can get you more than just Civil War records from the National Archives? Our team can also help you access federal land records (including homestead files), records from other 19th-century military conflicts, and regular army service records (peacetime service). 1/2

🧵One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the Civil War was the enormous number of soldiers who died. Most estimates place the number at least 600,000 people killed in the war. This letter, found at the National Archives, was from Sylvia Hackett, mother of John Hackett of the 7th USCT. 1/3

Did you catch Finding Your Roots last night? I don't get called on to do War of 1812 research for the show very often, so I was excited to be able to research and help tell the story of Dax Shepard's ancestor in this war. 1/2

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) played a vital role in the Civil War, fighting for freedom and the Union. From May 22, 1863, to October 1865, over 178,000 Black soldiers served in 175 regiments as infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineers. 1/2

I joined @photodetective.bsky.social on her Photo Detective podcast! We discussed what treasures (even photos!) can be found in pension files, plus tips for tracing military ancestors. Tune in if you love family history! maureentaylor.com/episode-259-... #genealogy

Do I Need to Order a Pension File Twice? Nope! All pension records for the same soldier should be in one packet. When you order the file, you’ll receive everything—details on the soldier’s service, their pension, and any benefits granted to their widow or dependents. #Genealogy

If your family served in the War of 1812, check for a bounty land application! Many aren’t online and are only at the National Archives. Benjamin Brookins’s widow’s 1850s application lists birth, marriage & maiden name—all from the 1700s! Need help? Contact me! civilwarrecords.com #genealogy

Did your military ancestor apply for bounty land? Some of these records are indexed at Fold3. If you find your ancestor, we can get their file for you. If they’re not listed, don’t worry—there are still unindexed applications, and we can help track them down. civilwarrecords.com #genealogy