The Early Indicators project created three primary data sets: Military, Disease, and Census. The Military data set is a collection of wartime records (Regimental Record, Compiled Military Service Record, and Carded Medical Records) and post-war pension records.
Civil War pensions were available for veterans with disabilities as well as for deceased veterans' widows, minor children, dependent major children, and parents. Under the Act to Grant Pensions of July 14, 1862, the first pension legislation specific to the Civil War, the veterans were initially eligible only for disabilities (wounds or chronic illnesses) received during their wartime service. The Disability Act of June 27, 1890, changed that requirement and expanded eligibility to include disabilities not directly related to wartime experience. As a result, the number of men on the pension rolls swelled.
Pension records are housed at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. in RG 15, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-1985.
A veteran's PEN file often includes information on his:
- date and place of birth
- date and place of residence, and changes in residences
- employment after discharge from military service
- summary of military and medical wartime experiences
- marriage records, which often include religious affiliation
- family information, including a listing of spouses and children, (living or dead)
- veteran's or the surviving dependents' pension application
- record of the Pension Bureau's action on pension applications
- documents in support of the veteran's claim, including
- affidavits
- depositions
- letters
Because a veteran could, and often did, apply for a pension under several acts or submit additional applications because of an increase in disability or dissatisfaction with the Pension Bureau's decision, files usually contain more than one pension application and record of action. Occasionally a pension file may include more than 20 sets of such forms.
A dependent pension generally includes data on:
- the dependent's relationship to the veteran
- the dependent's age
- the dependent's residence
- information concerning the veteran's death and burial
- the veteran's economic situation and any money or property left to his heirs
A widow's pension usually includes:
- her maiden name
- a marriage record
- the veteran's death certificate
- names of children
- birthdates of minor children
- the veteran's economic situation and any money or property left to his heirs
To view videos on the pension data collection process and example source documents, please visit our Youtube channel, or click on individual videos below.
Pension File Military Service |
Pension File Demographic Data |
Pension File Disability Information and Determination |
Pension File Old Age Information |
To download datasets from the Union Army project, please visit the list of data samples.
The first data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's personal information such as birth, death, parents, and pension application number.

The second data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's family's information, including any spouse(s), children, and sibling(s).

The third data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's socioeconomic information, including residence(s), occupation(s), wealth and income.

The fourth data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's enlistment and discharge information.

The fifth data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's military service information. Includes rank, battles, duties, actions, and prisoner of war status if applicable.

The sixth data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's military health information. Includes illnesses and wounds, results of treatments, and hospital locations if applicable.

The seventh data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting a recruit's pension application. Includes the relevant pension law, specific claims, attorney information and determination regarding their pension eligibility and amount.

The eighth data collection screen of the military pension data, collecting affidavits accompanying a recruit's pension application. Includes relationship to recruit, type of affidavit, and text of the affidavit.

A pension application's envelope with recruit's name, enlistment and other identifying information.






























