Alaska, Pioneer Home Discharge Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1913-1958.

The Alaska Pioneer Homes system was first established in 1913 when the territory established a home in Sitka for indigent men. The age requirement of 65 years was implemented in 1915. Women were first admitted in 1950. Additional homes were opened in Fairbanks in 1967, Palmer in 1971, Anchorage in 1977, Ketchikan in 1981 and Juneau in 1988.

Record Content
These court and pension records may contain the following information:
 * Name
 * Residence
 * Death date
 * Country of origin
 * Next of kin

How to Use the Record
When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships.

Search the Collection
To search by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'Waiting to see images' category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Using the Information

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use death date and city to obtain a copy of the original death certificate from the municipality.
 * Use next of kin information to search for relatives in census records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. Remember your ancestor may have used a nickname.
 * You may need to search for both their Indian name and their English name.

Unable to Find your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes in local genealogical and historical societies
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military unties, counties, parishes, etc.).

General Information about These Records

 * Physical description or format of the original material
 * History of the record
 * Why the record was created
 * Reliability of the information in the record
 * Percentage of the population covered in the record
 * Preservation quality of the record

Other Searches
FHL SEARCH TIP TEMPLATE

Related Websites

 * Alaska Pioneer Homes
 * Alaska State Archives
 * Access Alaska Genealogy
 * Alaska History and Genealogy
 * Free Alaska Genealogy Search Engines

Related Wiki Articles

 * Alaska Genealogy
 * Alaska Vital Records
 * How to Find Alaska Death Records
 * Alaska Probate Records
 * Alaska Court Records

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection Citation:

Image Citation: