United States, Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

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United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards,1907-1933
CID1832324
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.

United States
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Record Description
Record Type Pension Payment Cards
Record Group RG 15: Records of the Veterans Administration
Collection years 1907-1933
Microfilm Publication M850. Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933. 2539 rolls.
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

The collection consists of an index and images of cards used by the Bureau of Pensions and Veterans Administration to record the payment of pensions to veterans, widows and other dependents. The collection is part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publication M850. The collection covers the years from 1907 to 1933.

A pension card was created for every veteran or veteran’s widow who received a pension. There were four types of cards kept. which are referred to as:

  • Army invalids
  • Army widows
  • Navy invalids
  • Navy widows

The form for the four types of cards is practically identical. On the front of the cards for invalid veterans are recorded the name of veteran, his certificate number, his unit or arm of Service, the disability for which pensioned, the law or laws under which pensioned, the class of pension or certificate, the rate of pension, the effective date of pension, the date of the certificate, any fees paid, the name of the pension agency or group transferred from (if applicable), the date of death, the date the Bureau was notified, the former roll number, and 'home.' On the reverse side of the form appears the name of the veteran, his certificate number, and the record of the individual payments. The army and navy widow’s cards are similar to the invalids’ cards with the addition of the widow’s name and occasionally information regarding payments made to minors, but they do not indicate if the veteran had a disability.

Related Article

  • Claire Prechtel-Kluskens. " Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933." NGS Magazine 41 # 3 (July-September 2015): 43-45 FHL 973 D25ngs

Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for United States, Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards,1907-1933.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records:

  • Name of pensioner
  • Name of veteran
  • Veteran’s military unit
  • Commencement date of pension
  • Certificate number
  • Veteran’s death date
  • Veteran’s “home”
  • Name of widow (only on widows cards)

Additional information about these cards is available in the Wiki Article: Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907–1933.

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

  • 1910 Army Widow

  • 1918 Army Invalid

  • 1903 Army Dependent

  • 1897 Navy Widow

  • 1907 Navy Invalid

In 1907 the Bureau of Pensions and Veterans Administration began recording payments of pension with a card system. Pensions were granted to army invalids, army widows, navy invalids and navy widows. The nearly 2 million 5x8 cards are arranged alphabetically by the surname of the veteran or widow. In 1923 payments were changed from monthly to quarterly. Payments that extended through this period were recorded on a second card. 

The payment cards were created as a method for the government to keep track of the pensions being distributed. The information in these cards is generally reliable.

How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your ancestor
  • The military unit in which your ancestor served
  • The names of family members

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images[edit | edit source]

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select Surname Range to view the images
Tip
 More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use pension payment cards to discover information about the veteran’s military service
  • Use pension payment cards to learn about his unit, and the dates of service
  • Use pension payment cards to learn more information regarding the veteran’s family
  • The cards can lead to other military service records, and provide clues for further research on the veteran’s family

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
  • Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
  • Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
  • Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor


Research Helps[edit | edit source]

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Digital Library[edit | edit source]

Known Issues[edit | edit source]

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Citing this Collection.
Record Citation:
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Image Citation:
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